I just called Orontas and they'll be distributing their bicycle lubes, greases & degreasers through babac cyles distributors(Montreal) in the very near future. They just sent babac their first batch for distro 2 weeks ago so it should appear in the new babac catalogue & online very soon. It will be available in 20 L (5 gal) format so no need to bother with them pesky eco-aerosol cans and I reckon it'll be hella cheaper in bulk.
I'd assume that they are available through other distributors as well, I just happen to use babac so that's all I asked about.
Reviews to come,
Geoff
The Wrench, The Bike Dump
Winnipeg, Manitoba
On Wed, May 4, 2011 at 9:15 PM, <thethinktank-request@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: non-petroleum lube (The Bicycle Tree)
2. Re: non-petroleum lube (Beth & Josh Goran)
3. Re: non-petroleum lube (joshua muir)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 22:28:13 +0000
From: The Bicycle Tree <info@thebicycletree.org>
To: <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] non-petroleum lube
Message-ID: <BLU139-W9768A8639FB78DC790201B3810@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
We've been using Pedro's ChainJ biodegradable lube and their Bio Grease as well. I can't say I've done scientific tests on either so I can't precisely describe their merits. The chain lube is somewhat oily, doesn't wash away easily. The grease does experience some separation; I'm not sure what liquid is separating. This may be a drawback in action.
Theres a review of the grease here: http://road.cc/content/review/17600-pedros-bio-grease
plus a negative experience for a skateboarder here: http://www.amazon.com/Pedros-Bio-Grease/dp/B003UWLWPW
ChainJ reviews here: http://www.amazon.com/Pedros-CHAINj-Bike-Chain-120ml/product-reviews/B000N22FWG
I hadn't heard about this one until doing a little perusing right now: Dumonde Tech Bio Green http://www.rei.com/webservices/rei/DisplayStyle/778317?source=gpla&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-778317&mr:trackingCode=02AF15C2-B849-E011-AFD7-001517384908&mr:referralID=NA
I usually use the excellent ProGold ProLink which is biodegradable and calls itself "environmentally friendly" though I'm not sure of its toxicity or ingredients. http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/lube/progold/prolink-chain-lube/PRD_352349_131crx.aspx
-Paul
The Bicycle Tree
P.O. Box 881
Orange, CA 92856
http://www.thebicycletree.org
info@thebicycletree.org
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
From: bovineoaks@aol.com
Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 17:07:38 -0400
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] non-petroleum lube
In the 1980's a hippy friend of mine used Olive Oil on his drive chain. He came to me after using it for a year because his derailleurs would not work. The Olive Oil had turned into a shellack that I could not get off with the most aggressive solvents. It stuck together the moving arms of the derailleurs so firmly we had to throw them away. The chain was a mess. incredible wear on the pins and thick goop everywhere.
Try paraffin. at least you can light the chain on fire to have a mini bon fire
Bicycles don't get hot like cars. The main lube question i have is for the chain. Chains need to be lubed and cleaned very often just because of the exposure. For Hubs, BB and Headsets of course it is different. i will try olive oil on my chain and report back later.
jim
From: Mark Rehder <mark@re-cycles.ca>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Sent: Wed, May 4, 2011 11:08:10 AM
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] non-petroleum lube
My Dad was a metallurgist. I once asked him about using plant-based bearing grease, and he said the main issue of course was the ability of any lube to withstand the heat from friction. Petroleum-derived is the best choice for this, though he said one could use plant-based if one didn't mind far more frequent overhauls. Now, this was fifteen years ago, and I'm sure someday someone will find a good formula for a non-petroleum lube. Maybe the linked stuff is it?
Our shop uses MEC's Bio-Cycle for cleaning, but standard high-temp bearing grease for hubs. It'd be great if a plant-based product indeed works as advertised.
Mark Rehder - Coordinator
re-Cycles Community Bike Shop
http://re-cycles.ca
On 4-May-11, at 1:42 PM, Chris Chan wrote:
> MEC used to stock a biodegradable lube. It didn't work very well.
>
> If you build a
covered shed, you can keep your solvent tank outside. You just need something to keep the rain from getting into your system--before we stopped using our varsol tank, our shed was just big enough for the system itself (you stood outside of the shed to actually use it). You can just hammer together something really simple.
>
>
> On Wed, May 4, 2011 at 11:13 AM, Jonathan Morrison <jonathan@slcbikecollective.org> wrote:
> Has anyone heard of or used this plant based lube line?
> http://orontas.com
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Jonathan Morrison
> Executive Director
> Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective
> 2312 S. West Temple
> Salt Lake City, UT 84115
> w: 801-328-2453
> c: 801-688-0183
> f:
801-466-3856
> www.slcbikecollective.org
>
> The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 10:33 AM, Michael Wolfe <gzuphoesdown@gmail.com> wrote:
> Page 13 of the 1992 Bridgestone bicycle catalog has a unique recommendation of using olive oil.
>
> http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/
>
>
>
>
>
> On
4/2/08, Bob Giordano <mist@strans.org> wrote: Indoor air quality is tops on our list for a healthy shop atmosphere. We
> do not store anything that gives off harmful fumes. Tooth brushes and
> simple green (highly diluted) in a small wooden bowl is our parts cleaning
> station. We are even moving away from simple green (i've learned it is
> harmful to some)- to a citrus based cleaner.
>
> I guess tri flow is the only thing with fumes in the shop. Often we ask
> people to use it outside. I'd like to find a non-petroleum lube.
>
> -Bob Giordano, Free Cycles Missoula
>
>
> Michael Wolfe wrote:
> > Speaking of liver damage, etc.. Wondering if any shops out there have
> had
> > issues solvent tanks in their shop? The fumes give me a headache
but
> others
> > don't seem to mind it. Mostly I worry about the health effects on the full
> > time people in the shop. Short of installing a hood or ventalation
> system,
> > what options are there to locate that stuff outside?
>
>
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 20:59:22 -0400
From: "Beth & Josh Goran" <crookedriverrecyclery@gmail.com>
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] non-petroleum lube
Message-ID: <BANLkTim2Q1OJj6E7eTYxyjUr4dEJ5EV=Uw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Phil Bio-Lube and Pedro's ChainJ come to mind, if you've not tried them
already. Both are chain lubes. I wouldn't say that either of them are the
best chain lube I've ever used, but they do okay and are both biodegradable,
if memory serves.
Certainly different plant-based oils have very different properties. Flax
(linseed) oil for example is known to be a highly polymerizing oil, which is
why it's used in paints and the like. Good to season a cast-iron skillet,
too, but such properties may be either helpful or harmful for different
uses.
I'd be curious to see how butter. ghee (clarified butter, doesn't need
refrigeration [especially as a lube!] so wouldn't get so funky as butter),
or coconut oil might hold up as chain lube...the solid oils don't oxidize
and gum up in the same ways that something like olive oil does, and
therefore might work better. Refining oils can also change things
dramatically. For the worse in food, but might be for the better in this
case.
Josh
--
*Crooked River Recyclery*
*Kent, O.*
"All Bikes! All People!"
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 19:13:37 -0700
From: joshua muir <muirjoshua@gmail.com>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] non-petroleum lube
Message-ID: <BANLkTin=uvFf+zF+7w2LjiJ_wYZt8T2fWw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
At the Bike Church, as Ann said earlier- we've used the bio-lube for years-
used to get it from Troy Boone who "invented it". We've often speculated
that it is similar to bio-diesel. It is much less smelly, and works well.
slight gumminess, but not bad. The stuff's not cheap, and we've considered
investigating further with the local "green station" biodiesel producer to
compare notes-
josh
On Wed, May 4, 2011 at 5:59 PM, Beth & Josh Goran <
crookedriverrecyclery@gmail.com> wrote:
> Phil Bio-Lube and Pedro's ChainJ come to mind, if you've not tried them
> already. Both are chain lubes. I wouldn't say that either of them are the
> best chain lube I've ever used, but they do okay and are both biodegradable,
> if memory serves.
>
> Certainly different plant-based oils have very different properties. Flax
> (linseed) oil for example is known to be a highly polymerizing oil, which is
> why it's used in paints and the like. Good to season a cast-iron skillet,
> too, but such properties may be either helpful or harmful for different
> uses.
>
> I'd be curious to see how butter. ghee (clarified butter, doesn't need
> refrigeration [especially as a lube!] so wouldn't get so funky as butter),
> or coconut oil might hold up as chain lube...the solid oils don't oxidize
> and gum up in the same ways that something like olive oil does, and
> therefore might work better. Refining oils can also change things
> dramatically. For the worse in food, but might be for the better in this
> case.
>
> Josh
> --
> *Crooked River Recyclery*
> *Kent, O.*
>
> "All Bikes! All People!"
>
> _______________________________________________
> Thethinktank mailing list
> Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to
> TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
> To manage your subscription, plase visit:
>
> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
>
>
--
Joshua Muir
muirjoshua@gmail.com
Frances Cycles -- www.francescycles.com
Handbuilt cycling framesets
Touring, Track, Road,Cross, and Cargo
(831) 469-3369
The Bicycle Church Collective
Community Self-Service Cycle Repair
3pm to 7pm everyday except Sunday
703 Pacific Ave (enter on Spruce St)
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-2453
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