Vent: Switched to plant-based chain lube for the environment, regret everything

My bike now sounds like a bag of chips in a rainstorm. Back to petroleum for me.

4 comments

4 Comments

Maybe it's just me but I tried some green cleaning stuff for my car last year. It was supposed to be safe for the environment but it left streaks everywhere in the sun. I mean, I had to wash the car twice to get it clean, which kinda defeated the purpose. Idk, sometimes the eco options just don't cut it for daily use.

beth27617d ago

Look at what the pros use in muddy races. They're not running plant based lubes, they're using heavy duty wet lubes that last. The real environmental win comes from a clean drive train that doesn't need parts replaced every year. A good petroleum lube that stops corrosion and wear could save more resources in the long run than a green lube that washes off and wrecks your chain. Sometimes the most durable choice is the most sustainable one.

kim7341mo ago

Totally get that! I tried a plant based lube last year and it washed off so fast. It's like they forget bikes need to work in real weather. The eco friendly stuff just doesn't stick as long, especially if you ride in the rain. I want to help the planet too, but not if it means fixing my bike all the time. Sometimes the old oil based lube just works better for hard riding. It's frustrating because we want to do right, but the products need to actually perform.

finleyl391mo ago

Isn't it crazy how the green products often don't work as well? I read an article saying some plant lubes are made to break down fast, which is good for the environment but bad for riding. Why make something that falls apart when you need it most? It seems like companies just want to sell "eco" labels without fixing the real problems. We all want to do better, but how can we when the products let us down? Maybe they'll get it right someday, but until then, it's hard to switch from what works.