A wet lube is water resistant so won’t be blasted off by rain or when you smash through puddles and streams. Boeshield T-9 Bicycle Chain Waterproof Lubricant and Rust Protection, 4 oz Liquid, Original Version (… Muc-Off, which makes both wet and dry ceramic lubes, says its ceramic lube contains tiny ‘ceramic particles’ that help reduce friction over the synthetic oils found in standard dry and wet lubes. , a huge amount of metal on metal contact is continuously created by the interaction between the chain and the rest of the, A good chain lube can smooth the chain’s engagement with the cassette sprockets and chainrings, and maintain proper. The lube is bio-degradeable and friendly to the enviroment, unlike most other chain lubes. It's easy to apply, cheap, and does a fantastic job of keeping everything quiet and smooth. There are many different types of bicycle-specific lubes, including wet lubes, dry lubes, ceramic lubes and wax lubes. Commuter bikes are also likely to have cheaper parts that are less costly to replace, but we wouldn’t advocate waste, in both monetary and environmental terms. 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. Home | Chain Lube. Finish Line. The downside of wet lubes? Price. 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 . Most lubes contain synthetic oils, along with friction-reducing additives such as PTFE (Teflon) and carrier fluids that evaporate after application. Phil Wood 4-ounce Bio Bike Chain Lube. Waxed chains and drivetrain parts like cassettes and chainrings can also be cleaned using boiling water – no degreaser required. What are the differences between wet and dry chain lubricants for mountain bikes? 1695 W State Route 89a Sedona AZ 86336 (928) 282-1106 Each has its own pros and cons, and intended use, which we’ll come on to. The choice between a wet or a dry lube comes down to the conditions that you will be riding in. Some lubricants are also sold as aerosols, but we wouldn’t recommend these for lubricating chains because they’re very difficult to apply precisely. A lubricated chain will move with less resistance and the lube will prevent dirt from building up. Like Smoove, Squirt chain lube also hails from South Africa - home of the world's toughest mountain bike stage races. 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. 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. 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. A toothbrush or nail brush will … Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. If you’re after the fastest, most efficient drivetrain possible, immersive waxing is currently king. This section is really here to advise against using grease to lubricate your chain. 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. You’ll need to clean your drivetrain regularly, possibly even after every ride if you want the maximum benefit and to maintain peak performance and optimise drivetrain life. You also need to leave enough time before you ride for the wax to completely dry and harden on the chain (overnight, ideally). We would always advise keeping your bike as clean as possible, and topping up the chain lube after a wet ride will at least prevent corrosion. Wet lubes stay on significantly longer, even while riding in inclement conditions. While an under-lubricated chain increases friction by enabling too much metal on metal contact, an over-lubricated chain will attract dirt and grit, which will increase friction and drivetrain wear as well. Ceramic lube will last longer, even in wet conditions but tends to be more expensive. If you’re after the fastest, most efficient drivetrain possible, immersive waxing is currently king. The Chain. However, for all-weather convenience, a wet lube will still come up trumps. Dry lubes don’t last as long and are best used in dry conditions. 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. , says its ceramic lube contains tiny ‘ceramic particles’ that help reduce friction over the synthetic oils found in standard dry and wet lubes. Lubricants based on paraffin wax (yes, the stuff they make candles with) have grown massively in popularity in recent years, as independent testing has shown them to score extremely well on efficiency, longevity and in resistance to contaminants. His stable of bikes isn’t the most extravagant, but they’re all customised to meet Simon’s particular tastes and kept fastidiously clean. We published a detailed recipe back in 2013, but it’s also available commercially under brand names such as Molten Speed Wax. Motorcycle chain lube is NOT designed to flow into the o-rings. In our experience, the hard part of immersive waxing is usually the initial chain cleaning process. Expected Sun, Jan 24, 2021 Not yet reviewed. 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. What’s your favourite chain lube? Comparison Table - Best Mountain Bike Chain Lube, HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAIN LUBES, For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out the, A wet lube is water resistant so won’t be blasted off by rain or when you smash through puddles and streams. , but it’s also available commercially under brand names such as Molten Speed Wax. Your bike chain is the driving force for your entire Mountain Bike. According to ZFC, the difference between a good and bad lubricant can comfortably amount to five to ten watts at a 250-watt load. To spot-clean the chain while it's still on your bike: Brush out the links with a firm brush (an old toothbrush also works). It’s fair to say not everyone will have the inclination or patience for it though. Bike Lube Grease and lubricants will help keep your bike running smoothly once you’ve cleaned it. prior to the initial application, otherwise the wax won’t stick to the metal or dry out correctly. For wet conditions, the winner is slightly less clear cut, but we’d still recommend waxed-based lubricants for their efficiency. Is it bad to use a dropper seat post too much? O-rings on motorcycle chains are sealed. CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON. It is essential to use the best mtb chain lube to to keep your chain running quietly and smoothly. 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. The risk of getting lubricant on your brake track/rotors or worse in the pads, is much higher than with drip lubes, and you really don’t want that happening because it can seriously affect brake performance. These wet and dry lubes have all been tried and tested by us in all conditions and have received a score of over four out of five in their review. Because of the massively increased level of contaminants, a dry lubricant that prevents dirt and grime from entering the drivetrain will perform best. As a lower viscosity lubricant, dry lubes promise greater efficiency through lower friction and by attracting fewer contaminants. Subscribe today and get the next 3 issues of your favourite cycling magazine for just £5! 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. , both of which scored over four-and-a-half stars in our testing. 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. Commuter bikes are also likely to have cheaper parts that are less costly to replace, but we wouldn’t advocate waste. If you don’t keep your drivetrain clean though, your parts will wear out much more quickly from the extra dirt and grime that gets stuck to the lube. The key with bicycle chain lubrication is to get it in the internals of the chain (among the rollers and pins). It’s not always clear what they contain or what benefits they offer over other types of lubricants, though. Keeping your bike chain well lubricated is the key to a longer lasting chain. Generally, dry chain lubes have not performed well in our testing, but Maxima Chain Pro Dry Formula and Ride Mechanic Bike Milk have bucked that trend. , which you can swap on and off your bike as needed. Show me price on amazon. The risk of getting lubricant on your brake track/rotors or worse in the pads, is much higher than with drip lubes, and. 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. Richard is happiest when he is on a mountain bike and loves to share the experience with others. While an under-lubricated chain increases friction by enabling too much metal on metal contact, an over-lubricated chain will attract dirt and grit, which will increase friction and drivetrain wear as well. From there, the only way to reset the balance is to clean your drivetrain thoroughly. For watt-conscious racers who don’t fancy themselves as chain cookers, companies such as Ceramicspeed, Watt Shop and Zero Friction Cycling now sell pre-prepared waxed chains. Best chain lube for mountain, gravel and cyclocross bikes, For commuters, we’d recommend a standard wet chain lube and. As things stand, immersive waxing or waxed-based chain lubes are king. Everything you need to about chain lubrication for your bike. The viscous friction will be much higher too. Because they’re so dry, there’s nothing for dirt to stick to. (30) 30 reviews with an average rating of 4.3 out … It’s for this reason we’d recommend waxed-based lubes, either in drip form or immersive waxed chains. Once it’s been properly cleaned and treated though, waxed chains have, in our experience, an incredible ability to shrug off dirt and grime. White Lightning Wet Lube, Pedro’s Syn Lube and Muc-Off Wet Lube all scored over four stars in our testing. As stated above, there is the best use scenario, and the best use scenario for wet lube is when conditions will be wet. This lubricant is not removed easily by wet conditions so it will continue to lubricate and protect your chain. 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. You will be lucky to ride 80 miles before it has been completely removed. Bike chains need lube to the pins and have no O-rings. You can also use chain lube on other parts of your bike, as this article on bicycling.com explains. Clean Ride is White Lightning's legendary self-cleaning lube. 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. Biodegradable and extremely effective, this option from Phil … Whether you’re a racer looking for a performance edge or a commuter who simply wants a fuss-free solution, we’ll lay out all the chain lube options and explain the positives and negatives of every approach. It’s not all just about efficiency though, friction and drivetrain wear are closely associated too. Wax lubes are good at not attracting dirt but need reapplying for frequently. 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. If these get in your drivetrain they essentially form a paste (think ‘liquid sandpaper’) with the lubricant literally grinding away your gears. With this clever gadget you can discover your weight and more – all at a glance! 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. It does not help to dump a load of lube on top of old lube mixed with dirt. As with most thing prevent is better than the cure, and when the cure can run you up hundreds of dollars in new bike parts dropping a bit of lube on your chain is well worth the time and effort. , the chain is one of the hardest working components on your bicycle. Dirt between the moving parts of a chain increases friction and wears down the chain faster. Real world conditions don’t usually mimic those of a laboratory though. Best pressure washers for mountain bikers; How to choose the best bike chain lube for your riding 1. Rock N Roll Gold Chain Lubricant, 16-Ounce Complete Kit w/ 4oz Bottle & Applicator: Wet Lube $$$$ 4.9: 2. With that in mind, avoiding a contaminated drivetrain is key to optimum efficiency and ensuring long-lasting parts. 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. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Let us know in the comments below. The lube remains wet on the, It does not help to dump a load of lube on top of old lube mixed with dirt. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Some companies label wax-based lubes as ‘dry’ too, but we’ll cover them separately shortly. Doing so is a challenge, though. Yikes…. 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. He loves nothing more than finding a smart (preferably cheap) hack that others hadn’t thought of. ZFC says the easiest way to avoid this is to have two waxed chains with quick-release links, which you can swap on and off your bike as needed. This process involves taking a scrupulously clean chain and immersing it in a heated vat of highly refined paraffin wax and other additives. 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A multi … if you ride in as many places as possible designed for riding in wet dirty... A contaminated drivetrain is key to a completely dry, there ’ s also available commercially brand... Waxy residue currently king as regularly but you will get is even more dirty lube mixed with grit to away! You need to clean it as thoroughly as possible recommendations, check out the best chain lube for mountain ;! Completely dry, there ’ s nothing for dirt to stick to the enviroment, unlike other! To fully penetrate all parts of your bike ride is planned to take place underwater, we ’ recommend! You do have to put in the internals of the other, more viscous lubricants would be expected to drivetrain. Section is really here to advise against using grease to lubricate your chain, with claims! Other types of lubricants, though t advocate waste they contain or what benefits they offer over other of... Commercially under brand names such as cassettes and chainrings can also be,! They contain or what benefits they offer over other types of Bicycle-specific,! ’ too, but it ’ s the best MTB chain lubes of 2021 the. Own pros and cons, and this one i feel is the bike. Before riding there, the chain and flush out contaminants a laboratory though your entire mountain bike seals. Thought of ’ too, but it ’ s also available commercially under brand names such Molten. Conditions that you will not have to clean the drivetrain as regularly but you can also use chain lube mountain. Lube does n't attract dirt and other additives additives such as PTFE ( Teflon ) and carrier fluids evaporate! Keep your bike at your leisure t mean it ’ s automatically.... Is they are to replace ) wet lube $ $ $ 4.8: 3 that means your o-rings are and...

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