Phil Wood’s Tenacious Oil
Posted on: Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 10:08 am by: Carol Bengle Gilbert
Comments (0)
Phil Tenacious Oil, the green goo adored by cyclists seeking a lubricant with staying power.
It’s been described as a deep, dark green, gooey mess and accused of spewing strings of sticky goo from derailleurs onto unsuspecting cyclists after application. Yet, many of those same cyclists who caution others about this product’s unsavory qualities nevertheless swear by it.
Designed for lubricating moving components with metal to metal contact, Phil Tenacious Oil is a hot commodity in cycling circles. And, like any hot product, it attracts both admirers and naysayers. Is it the most unique and effective lubricant on the market? Or another overpriced, unnecessary specialty product? Surprisingly, the answer may vary according to the components needing lubrication and the climate where you ride.
For chains, nearly all sources recommend against using Phil Tenacious Oil. With its heavy weight, Phil Tenacious oil is simply is too thick to penetrate the rollers, according to Lickbike.com. And when the chain spins, the oil spews. Some riders overcome the problem of flying goo by removing any excess Phil Tenacious Oil after application, then wiping down the chain with a mixture of Phil Tenacious Oil and WD-40. Others choose a different lube for the chain and save the Phil Tenacious Oil for rings, cogs, freewheels and component pivots.
What the cycling world universally loves about Phil Tenacious Oil is its staying power. It’s thick, with a texture between that of a grease and an oil. So when applied to a bike component, it stays put even in inclement weather. Cyclists experiencing snowy, slushy or rainy conditions claim that Phil Tenacious Oil remains effective for weeks at a time, whereas typical lubricants wash off during a single ride.
When cycling in dry climates, however, it may be best to choose an alternate lubricant. Cyclists braving the desert or bumping along dusty trails find that dry sand clings to components coated with Phil Tenacious Oil. While the clumping sand surprisingly does not affect performance, it does create a sticky mess.
Phil Tenacious Oil is made by Phil Wood, one of the oldest American cyling component manufacturers, operating in San Jose, California since 1971. The company designed Phil Tenacious Oil and companion product Phil Waterproof Grease specifically for cyclists and cycling professionals needing optimal lubricants.
Phil Tenacious Oil is more expensive than some of its competitors, running from about $4.95 to $7.95 for a 4 ounce bottle. But while cheaper products may be fine for routine chain lubes and to ready a bike for Death Valley style cycling, cyclists experiencing wash out conditions deem Phil Tenacious Oil worth the added cost.
