Levo Gen 2 SLX cassette shredded in five rides

[urastus]

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The chain has not been modified - this is the as delivered length.

This is the link to the lube he recommended.

NixFrixShun Ultimate Bicycle Chainlube

NixFrixShun Ultimate Bicycle Chainlube

nixfrixshun.com

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I'm interested if anyone has used it?

Here is a nice review of it:

Review: NixFrixShun Ultimate Chain Lube

A first-person account of NixFrixShun’s Ultimate Chain Lube from Matt Butterman, after using it for two years

www.handbuiltbicyclenews.com

The last line of the review: "My NFS Ultimate success story is a simple narrative that you’ll likely follow as well: buy the lube, apply it to your chain, go ride and forget about it. "

Hmmm. That would be the goal.

I would be amazed if a different lube would have made any but miniscule difference to the OP's remarkably short lived 11th and 12th gears. 100.001 miles instead of 100 miles if it is truly remarkable chain lube? That goes along with cleaning too. This seems to scream mechanical or more likely, metallurgical, failure.

 

[LevoRoboto]

I would be amazed if a different lube would have made any but miniscule difference to the OP's remarkably short lived 11th and 12th gears.

This thread became longer than I imagined it would. What I discovered was the original material (contaminant?) on the chain was the issue. In 30+ years of Shimano chains I've never had to degrease a chain before riding, so I didn't, and the chain looked like any other new chain. My rides were on marginal to no dust technical trails. Moab is a very tough environment on chains - the forest conditions of these rides were as opposite of Moab as it could be. There was one day that was a little wet, but not otherwise remarkable.

Seriously cleaning the chain fixed. Although I have this lube ready to go, I changed one variable at a time to confirm what the hell was going on. I have used no lube in Moab in the past because some lubes are worse than no lube. I'm going with this stuff to see what happens.

Net: I agree with you. The chain had to be degreased first.

 

[KennyB]

I degrease my new chains with WD-40 (which emphasizes that it's is not really a good lube) or IPA. Then Juices Lubes Dry which I really like.

 

[LevoRoboto]

I degrease my new chains with WD-40 (which emphasizes that it's is not really a good lube) or IPA. Then Juices Lubes Dry which I really like.

WD40 has a solvent in it that really works well so I get it. I’m using a citrus solvent for the smell and it works well enough I think. About 3/4 of the local IPA’s I have tried just found a higher purpose. There is a bumper sticker I see occasionally that says, “your local IPA sucks” - which is a bit brash, but generally true enough.

 

[evolixsurf]

Luckily my local IPA is pliney the elder, so I’ll be degreasing with a different agent. I wouldn’t want to waste it on a chain!

I sure hope degreasing and dry lube does the trick! Thanks to all for this discussion.

 

[DtEW]

Luckily my local IPA is pliney the elder, so I’ll be degreasing with a different agent. I wouldn’t want to waste it on a chain!

Nah, not enough happy juice. You need Pliny the Younger for that.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Hope you think you have this sorted now. Sounds like someone put an 11 speed shifter on with the 12 speed cassette at the factory

In defence of the SLX setup or to alleviate any concerns anyone might have. I thought I'd better put a new chain on mine and show it some love.

Focus with SLX cassette and chain. 4 Months old, 3000km's, 76000m climbing. Most of that's only in the last month due to injuries, but I don't think time scales should affect wear

I'm very very careful with shifts, but do feck up occasionally as I'm sure everyone does.

Just checked the new chain (SRAM - I prefer their chains, but not the rest) to the old chain and I'm showing virtually zero stretch/wear. So the old ones gone back on for now.

It's not perfect, but it never slips or jumps and still shifts perfectly.

September Focus Stats :

Edit : will be buying a Shimano chain to go on instead of the SRAM one I bought as after more research, it seems with the 12 speed system/hyperglide you get more performance benefits running the correct Shimano chain rather than a SRAM one (better shifting, less wear).

 

[urastus]

Most of that's only in the last month due to injuries

Mine is pretty much identical - 3000 kms, all steep up and down. Although over a longer time period - you clock up the k's!