ProGold ProLink Chain Lube Review

By Coach Rick Schultz

HOT!

• Luber Pen gets ProLink into those hard-to-reach areas (i.e., derailleur pivot pins).
• Repels dirt, other road grit/grime, moisture
• Prevents corrosion
• Does not build up over time or become sticky
• Used regularly, ProLink makes the chainlast an incredibly long time
• The best chain lube I have used

NOT!

• Every time I need to stock up on Prolink, the price keeps going up. When buying, look for sales.

This is One Great Lube

ProLink Chain Lube utilizes metal friction reducers in a formula that won’t gunk up over time. This makes it ideal for chains, as well as other metal-to-metal interfaces such as pivot pins on front and rear derailleurs and brake calipers.

Testing ProLink

Since I put between 10,000 and 12,000 miles per year on my Cervelo, I want the chains (and drivetrain) to last as long as possible. To ensure this, I have come to only use ProLink. It has always performed excellent on all of my chains. I have tried most
other brands, but I keep coming back to ProLink.

For this test, ProGold lubricants provided both lube and Pro Towels. In order for the chain to work at peak performance levels, I have found it best to (a) Pro Towels to

thoroughly clean the chain, (b) dry the chain with a soft cloth, and (c) apply a drop of ProLink to each link, both the top and the bottom of the chain. Do this before each ride (or as often as you can) and you will be able to achieve the most miles that your chain is capable of.

To summarize my test results at the time I wrote this review, I have 3,200 miles on my chain and it was at 70% wear. I am convinced that ProLink Chain Lube contributed to this chain’s long life. The chain still shifts great and there is little wear on
the cassette.

How Does it Perform?

I have found it best to over-lube the chain, and then wipe it down the next morning before the ride. This gives the ProLink chain oil a chance to soak in — working itself between the pins, bushings and plates. The chain will then be able to perform at
its maximum ability and operate to its maximum longevity.

You can feel the smoothness of the chain by putting the bike in a bike stand and pedaling the cranks backward. Pedal forward and the chain is quiet — the only sound is the soft whirr of the chain cycling back and forth between the big chain ring and
cassette.

Out on the road is the real test. I have tested this lube in dry conditions, windy conditions, sand, rain, have ridden through mud, dirt, grit and gravel. I have hammered on flat time trials and pushed all kinds of gearing up steep hills, just to see
how the lube will perform. I always get quick shifts and quiet operation.

Back in the shop, I inspect the chain after every ride. The chain is usually pretty clean with minimal dirt, grit, grime or sand attracted to it. A clean chain is a happy chain. A quick wipe down with the ProGold Towels and the chain is again spotless.

Summary

I use ProLink regularly and I am convinced that it has greatly contributed to my chain’s long life. Shedding dirt, mud, gravel and sand is one of the most important functions of a good chain lube; the other is working into and keeping itself between the
pins, bushings and plates to minimize wear. This lube does it all!

Rick Schultz

Coach Rick Schultz is an avid cyclist who trains, races and coaches in Southern California. Rick is an engineer by trade, and in addition to being a coach, he's a bike fitter and prolific product reviewer. He's the author of Stretching & Core Strengthening for the Cyclist and Bike Fit 101: Your Toolset for a Great Bike Fit in the RBR eBookstore. Check his product reviews website, www.biketestreviews.com, and his coaching site, www.bikefitnesscoaching.com. Click to read Rick's full bio.

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