It’s taken me most of the winter, but I’ve finally given up on using silicone spray to lubricate my chain. I ride the Capitol City train frequently, from Shenk’s Corners to round about the cement factory, and whoever maintains that stretch sands the hell out of it! By the time I reach Tenney, my chain sounds more like a metal file. And the next time I go to ride, some of the chain links have rusted together. And that’s with a fresh application of silicone spray to the chain and derailleurs every time I leave the apartment!

I remember being told how much better the silicone sprays were. That was when I was young and just learning about bike maintenance. One of the signature smells of the WORS series was the parking lot air, tangy with the smell of Tri-Flow. But for winter riding, especially with sand in the mix, ole 3-in-1 machine oil seems to work better. One application lasts a week or more, even in below-zero weather. And no more of that high-pitched squeaking from the rear derailleur.