What is best is one of those questions that doesn't have one answer.  The one that's best for you, would be the best response.  Sounds like you were using a dry lube.  Some people swear by the stuff, I don't care for it.  I use a wet lube, Pro Link specifically, but there are other brands that are just as good.  Leave the WD-40 for rusty bolts, it is not a lubricant and is not good for your chain.  To clean it use something like Simple Green or even dishwashing soap, rinse thoroughly, dry off.  Then apply the chain lube, allow to sit, then wipe off excess before going out.

Right! WD-40 may make it look good but the stuff is a dust magnet. I like Phil's chain lube or Boeing's T-9. Clean the chain when dirty and lube...let it soak it up over night preferably and then light;y wipe it off with a rag........then ride.

Seriously, you need to do a little research...there are some fine paraffin based lubricants which do not 'gunk up', but provide good lubrication (eg. White Lightning ). But for my money, after 25 years and a lot of lubes, check out 'Pro Link Gold". The last time I checked, empirical tests proved it superior, and since I now ride a long-wheel based recumbent that uses 3 chains to make one, I need superior!!

Sir, with all due respect, i think you need a "superior" chain, not lubricant, for your recumbent using 3x length of chain. Isn't it that lubricant is needed for metal contacts and not for exposure (i.e. idle length between the gears). You need a real sturdy chain to compensate for that length!

Good question. Lets do some research. I want reliability with my chain as do most of you I would guess.  If properly maintained, cleaned and lubed, and a quality product I presume sturdy comes for the ride but lets explore if anyone advertises this selling feature as such and if experience bears it out!

Best,

EJ

I've been ProLink Chain Lube since it was introduced. Bottom line, folks, is that this is the best lube I've EVER used. I normally ride about 150 miles per week, and find I only have to relube every 300 miles or so. I gave up on Ice Wax and Dry Lube, and White Lightning simply made a gummy mess. ProLink stuff really penetrates the link pins, so much so that I actually had to readjust the rear derailleur! It flushes out all that old gunked-up lube and keeps the chain shiny. I'll never have to clean the chain again because it's now self-cleaning! No problems with grit and the chain shifts smoother than ever before. The pulleys stay nice and clean, too.

The lube does smell a bit at first, but not after it dries. It will take one ride to fully flush out the old lube, then lube it one more time and wipe...that's it. So, sports fans, stop buying-up what's "popular" in the stores and get what WORKS! This stuff is so good that I was actually considering selling it! Find more information on ProLink here: http://www.progoldmfr.com/products/prolink.html.

Motiveforcer...I've never done One Helluva Ride (did the Apple Cider Century a few times) .Do you ever do rides in the Buckeye state? (Born a Wolverine...living deep in enemy territory)