Squeeze Bottle. Mountain bikers who really don’t want to clean their bike after every wet ride may be happier with a standard wet lube, but remember that not cleaning your drivetrain regularly is likely to have a long-term impact on your wallet in terms of component life. We published. If you want to maximise performance and value, it’s worth paying close attention to testing by independent companies such as Zero Friction Cycling (ZFC) and, of course, BikeRadar. Zero Friction Cycling (ZFC) suggests dry lubes typically appear cleaner because they lack enough actual lubricant to be effective. Best chain lube for mountain, gravel and cyclocross bikes, For commuters, we’d recommend a standard wet chain lube and. You also need to leave enough time before you ride for the wax to completely dry and harden on the chain (overnight, ideally). Expected Sun, Jan 24, 2021 Not yet reviewed. Top 10 Best MTB Chain Lubes of 2021 • The Adventure Junkies Can you chop and change your Shimano brake levers and callipers? Dry lubes, so called because they’re designed for riding in dry conditions, are often made up of around 10 per cent lubricant – synthetic oils and additives – and 90 per cent carrier fluid. , but it’s also available commercially under brand names such as Molten Speed Wax. Commuter bikes are also likely to have cheaper parts that are less costly to replace, but we wouldn’t advocate waste. For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out these popular articles: Originally from the UK, Richard is a passionate mountain biker and mountain bike guide. For wet conditions, the winner is slightly less clear cut, but we’d still recommend waxed-based lubricants for their efficiency. A downside of wax lubricants is that they require a fastidiously clean chain prior to the initial application, otherwise the wax won’t stick to the metal or dry out correctly. $9.00. It will also grind away at the cassette, requiring both to be replaced sooner. After all, outright efficiency and cleanliness almost certainly matters less to most commuters than the ability for your bike to last a couple of weeks in all weathers without cleaning it. , says its ceramic lube contains tiny ‘ceramic particles’ that help reduce friction over the synthetic oils found in standard dry and wet lubes. Under laboratory conditions, geared bicycle drivetrains have been shown to reach above 98 per cent efficiency, meaning just 2 per cent of energy inputted is lost to friction. Relubricate the links from time to time with a chain lubricant. As things stand, immersive waxing or waxed-based chain lubes are king. chain line, and the size of the chainrings and cogs, decrease drivetrain efficiency by a few per cent, Nukeproof unveils the Giga, its all-new ‘super enduro’ bike, WTB Verdict TCS Light High Grip + Slash guard 29 x 2.5in tyre, Oakley launches customisation programme with “40-million different combinations”, Road bike groupsets: everything you need to know, BikeRadar’s guide to cycling to work | Our tips for commuting by bike, Mountain bike groupsets: everything you need to know, Beginner’s cycling tips: 25 essential pieces of advice for new cyclists. Boeshield T-9 Bicycle Chain Waterproof Lubricant and Rust Protection, 4 oz Liquid, Original Version (… Have you ever looked up the price of a, Recently, partly thanks to the increased availability of. The viscous friction will be much higher too. A cheap lube could end up costing you a lot more overall than an expensive one, for example. According to ZFC, the difference between a good and bad lubricant can comfortably amount to five to ten watts at a 250-watt load. Waxed-based lubricants are usually a mix of highly-refined paraffin wax particles, mixed with additives such as PTFE and a carrier fluid. The risk of getting lubricant on your brake track/rotors or worse in the pads, is much higher than with drip lubes, and. ZFC, however, says there is limited publicly available data to substantiate the claims that ceramic lubricants actually provide the purported effects, and thus doesn’t recommend them. Consequently, you will need to regularly clean the chain and drivetrain, otherwise the dirt will build up and wear the parts out faster. By creating a dry, waxy film on your chain this lube doesn't attract dirt and grime like traditional oil based lubricants. Recently, partly thanks to the increased availability of independent testing data, waxed-based lubricants have risen in popularity among performance minded cyclists. If that’s to be believed, you could also make an argument that you’re spending your money mostly on carrier fluid that’s designed to disappear into thin air. It’s not always clear what they contain or what benefits they offer over other types of lubricants, though. The factory grease can be hard to completely remove from the inside of even a brand new chain. Some lubricants are also sold as aerosols, but we wouldn’t recommend these for lubricating chains because they’re very difficult to apply precisely. The minimum you should do to, You can also use chain lube on other parts of your bike, as this article on. Bikinvention is a corporation that has developed a wax chain lubricant with unique properties called Squirt Chain Lube®. If you’re after the fastest, most efficient drivetrain possible, immersive waxing is currently king. Again, having multiple waxed chains on rotation is the best solution, according to ZFC. As well as correct lubrication, drivetrain efficiency is dependent on things such as cleanliness, chain line, and the size of the chainrings and cogs in your drivetrain. Keeping your bike chain well lubricated is the key to a longer lasting chain. This lubricant is not removed easily by wet conditions so it will continue to lubricate and protect your chain. Best chain lube for mountain, gravel and cyclocross bikes. According to its testing, a drivetrain lubricated using wet lube will attract so much contamination it could be costing you 15 to 20 watts, and causing significant amounts of wear. The trick is getting it just right. A dry lube should only be used when riding on dry trails. A lubricated chain will move with less resistance and the lube will prevent dirt from building up. Our recommendations range in price from 3p per ml (B’Twin All-Weather Teflon) to 12 times that much (Muc Off Hydrodynamic) and you could even go more expensive with a fully prepped and dipped chain. Like Smoove, Squirt chain lube also hails from South Africa - home of the world's toughest mountain bike stage races. The rock n roll lubricant takes on a rather bold approach to lubricants … The key with bicycle chain lubrication is to get it in the internals of the chain (, Chain oils range greatly in price, from a few pounds / dollars at the very low end, to more than, If you want to maximise performance and value, it’s worth paying close attention to testing by independent companies such as, Generally, dry chain lubes have not performed well in our testing, but. A wet lube is water resistant so won’t be blasted off by rain or when you smash through puddles and streams. For non-racers, for whom peak speed and efficiency isn’t the ultimate goal, reducing drivetrain wear – and therefore extending the life of your components – can potentially save you a fair amount of money. Yikes…. can mitigate the effects to a degree). A downside of wax lubricants is that they. You get more lubricant per millilitre with this type of lube and the increased viscosity of the oils means this type of lubricant should last longer and is much less prone to getting washed off your chain if you encounter water. This next lubricant is a multi … Dirt between the moving parts of a chain increases friction and wears down the chain faster. Subscribe today and get the next 3 issues of your favourite cycling magazine for just £5! Phil Wood 4-ounce Bio Bike Chain Lube. CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON. The minimum you should do to clean your bike after a ride is wipe off the chain with a cloth and degreaser before allowing it to dry and applying fresh lube. If your chain has been exposed to water, mud, dirt, or is noticeably dirty then you should perform a more in-depth cleaning with soap and water Any time you clean your bike you MUST re-lubricate your chain, as the lubricant will have washed off during the washing. Wet lubes stay on significantly longer, even while riding in inclement conditions. Rock “N” Roll Extreme Lube. However, for all-weather convenience, a wet lube will still come up trumps. A lot like general bike cleaning products , they play a vital role in the performance of your bike, while focusing on its chain, drivetrain and threaded components. Tri-Flow TF0021060 Superior Lubricant. The lube remains wet on the chain and as a result dirt will stick to it. Don't miss out on MBUK – get your next 3 issues for just £5, Get the next 3 issues of the UK's number one cycling magazine for just £5. Racers will find easy gains to be made in a properly cleaned and lubricated drivetrain because a dirty, poorly lubricated chain can decrease drivetrain efficiency by a few per cent, for example. Chain lube buyer’s guide: what’s the best chain lube for your bike? If that sounds like too much hassle, a wet lube will help prevent corrosion between rides and provide lubrication in a wide range of conditions. DuPont Teflon Chain-Saver Dry Self-Cleaning Lubricant, 4-Ounce: Dry Lube $$ 4.8: 3. Once it’s been properly cleaned and treated though, waxed chains have, in our experience, an incredible ability to shrug off dirt and grime. Biodegradable and extremely effective, this option from Phil … From there, the only way to reset the balance is to clean your drivetrain thoroughly. You need strong degreasers or solvents to get the job done properly, and you’ll be left with a fair amount of waste chemicals that you’ll need to dispose of carefully. By entering your details, you are agreeing to BikeRadar terms and conditions and privacy policy. This means you’ll have to completely strip even a brand new, box-fresh chain of all grease and oil. If your lube leads to poorer efficiency and increased drivetrain wear, having to replace worn parts of your bike more often will undoubtedly cost a lot more in the long run than an efficient lube. MRP: One tip we do recommend is to occasionally flip your bike over to allow the bath oil accumulated in at the bottom of your lowers to wet your bushings and seals. This also helps massively extend the lifespan of the other, more expensive drivetrain components such as cassettes and chainrings. Park Tool CL-1 Synthetic Blend Chain Lube Bottle (4 oz) Wet Lube $ 4.8: 5. They generally don’t come cheap, and will need to be re-waxed or topped up with wax lubricant after 300 to 400km of dry riding, but it certainly saves on the initial hassle of stripping factory grease from new chains at home. It also helps prevent corrosion and reduces friction and drivetrain wear. You can also use chain lube on other parts of your bike, as this article on bicycling.com explains. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Best chain lube for road and time-trial bikes, ZFC says the easiest way to avoid this is to have two waxed chains with. White Lightning Wet Lube, Pedro’s Syn Lube and Muc-Off Wet Lube all scored over four stars in our testing. Best chain lube: Dry lube Finish Line Teflon Plus dry lube Non-toxic and biodegradable, Finish Line’s dry lube is very effective at repelling dirt, making it a good choice for dry and dusty riding. From there, the only way to reset the balance is to clean your drivetrain thoroughly. Let us know in the comments below. When you lube a motorcycle chain, you're not lubing the o-rings. Wipe off excess lubricant with a … Look around any professional race or, This process involves taking a scrupulously clean chain and immersing it in a heated vat of highly refined paraffin wax and other additives. Rock N Roll Gold Chain Lubricant, 16-Ounce Complete Kit w/ 4oz Bottle & Applicator: Wet Lube $$$$ 4.9: 2. For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out the Best MTB Chains. It is, at least initially. Arguably, this will save you time overall, but you do have to put in the work up front. Bike Deals TMB Logo Wear Women's Clothing (14) Men's Clothing (43) Youth Clothing (0) Socks (3) Hats (10) TMB Mugs & Pints TMB Stickers ... Thunder Mountain Bikes . Simon is a writer and photographer who has been riding bikes for fun since he was a kid. Real world conditions don’t usually mimic those of a laboratory though. ZFC, however, is adamant this isn’t optimum and that the benefits of waxed-based lubricants, and of immersive waxing in particular, far outstrip the negatives even for commuters. Once a wet lube becomes contaminated it can begin to cause drivetrain wear. Bike chains need lube to the pins and have no O-rings. You can then clean and re-lubricate whichever one is currently not on your bike at your leisure. A MC chain has different requirements then a bike chain, most good MC chains are O-ring type and the oil doesn't go to the pins it is mostly for the O-rings, they need lube or they will tear up and then the chain will wear out in no time. $10.99. You’ll have to be prepared to dry, clean and re-wax the chain, or top it up with a wax based drip lube, as soon as possible after riding. It is essential to use the best mtb chain lube to to keep your chain running quietly and smoothly. Your bike chain is the driving force for your entire Mountain Bike. For the normal recreationalist, a decent wet lube such as Tri-Flow superior lubricant will work most of the time. It’s fair to say not everyone will have the inclination or patience for it though. These same properties also make it a magnet for dirt and grime (especially if applied excessively), and the extra viscosity also means lower outright efficiency compared to thinner lubes, due to the added viscous friction. If you’re thinking, “That sounds like quite a lot of hassle…”, you wouldn’t be wrong. It’s not all just about efficiency though, friction and drivetrain wear are closely associated too. Keeping your Mountain Bike chain lubed helps: Reduce Chain Wear; Prevent Corrosion; Maintain Flexibility; Reduce Stress on the Drivetrain and Derailleurs; Maintain Shifting Performance; If you only have time to lube one thing on your bike, make sure its your Mountain Bike chain. Home | Chain Lube. The lubricant in a dry lube is mixed with a solvent that dries on the chain, leaving only the lubricant behind. Regular lubrication will help to prevent rust, and dryness which can cause friction between the moving parts of your bike. The downside of wet lubes? Doing so is a challenge, though. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. Once the chain is removed, the wax also dries to a completely dry, solid layer of lubricant over every part. 1695 W State Route 89a Sedona AZ 86336 (928) 282-1106 After all, outright efficiency and cleanliness almost certainly matters less to most commuters than the ability for your bike to last a couple of weeks in all weathers without cleaning it. O-rings on motorcycle chains are sealed. The viscous friction will be much higher too. It does not help to dump a load of lube on top of old lube mixed with dirt. When most cyclists think about lubrication, they likely think about decreasing friction and increasing efficiency. all scored over four stars in our testing. Waxed chains and drivetrain parts like cassettes and chainrings can also be cleaned using boiling water – no degreaser required. You will be lucky to ride 80 miles before it has been completely removed. Everything you need to about chain lubrication for your bike. Drivetrain efficiency describes how much of the energy (usually described as ‘power’ because it can be measured in watts) you put through the pedals reaches the rear wheel, to drive you and the bike forward. If you do want to save money, save the planet and save watts, and are prepared to clean your chain after wet rides, wax lubes may be the best answer here as well. Your chain is your bike's primary moving part and the one that needs the most love and … So, out of all these bike chain lubes, which one is the best mountain bike chain lube? 50 miles of use is standard for a wax lube. A wet chain lube is regular chain oil is thick in consistency and will lubricate your chain. Immediate Media. It notes these lubes are more expensive, but also points out the decreased friction it claims ought to lead to increased drivetrain longevity, saving you money overall. Racers will find easy gains to be made in a, and lubricated drivetrain because a dirty, poorly lubricated chain can, After all, the more expensive your parts, the more expensive they are to replace. What are the differences between wet and dry chain lubricants for mountain bikes? Rock n roll. This has the knock-on effect of meaning they usually result in high levels of friction and wear, according to ZFC’s testing. A wet lube can be used in all conditions but is absolutely necessary for wet weather or winter riding. His stable of bikes isn’t the most extravagant, but they’re all customised to meet Simon’s particular tastes and kept fastidiously clean. Is it okay to lube your mountain bike suspension seals with chain lube? and threads, it won’t penetrate the gaps between the rollers and pins where you really need the lubricant because it’s far too thick. Squirt keeps the chain very clean, it doesn't attract as much crud as other 'wet' lubes i've used, and each application last a long time. ZFC says immersive waxing and re-waxing at 300km intervals, or after every wet ride, can extend a chain’s lifespan to around 15,000km – about three times as long as what is typically achieved with standard drip lubes. If you ride in wet conditions the chain will also need to be cleaned, dried and lubricated soon afterwards to prevent corrosion. He loves nothing more than finding a smart (preferably cheap) hack that others hadn’t thought of. After all, the more expensive your parts, the more expensive they are to replace. Automatically better that in mind, avoiding a contaminated drivetrain is key to optimum efficiency cleanliness... Grease on your bicycle chop and change your Shimano brake levers and callipers and increasing efficiency enter. Continue to lubricate your chain bike at your drivetrain grease to lubricate and protect chain! 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