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Everything used to be easier. Once the chain was dry, a few drops of viscous sewing machine oil were dripped onto the drivetrain and that was it. Today, on the other hand, you can click through pages and pages of chain lubricants for bicycles in online shops. From a simple dropper bottle for five euros to a high-end coating for 130 euros per bottle. From all-purpose oils to special products for dry and wet conditions. From spray bottles to chain wax. How are you supposed to keep an overview and find the right product for everyday use?
Bikers - but also manufacturers - have completely different opinions about lubricants: Some manufacturers like Muc-Off, WD-40 or Atlantic offer special products for dry and wet conditions. The lubricants from Tunap, Sonax or Brunox, on the other hand, are only available in an all-weather version. The design of the bottles is just as divided: Manufacturers such as Motorex offer their range of lubricants exclusively in spray bottles, whereas Brunox offers its Top Kett in both the classic dropper bottle and as an aerosol can. And to add to the confusion, there are also chain waxes in the lubricant jungle. The best known of these are the products from DryFluids and Squirt Lube.
Interview with Andreas Pscheidl - Cannondale team mechanic
BIKE: Wet and dry lubricants, all-weather oil and chain wax: Do you really need a suitable lubricant for all weather conditions?
Andreas Pscheidl: Not from my point of view. I would choose the lubricant according to the conditions in which you ride the most. For example, if you mainly ride in dry conditions, I would adjust my lubricant accordingly. For the exception in the wet, it's a bit of a compromise, but it saves a lot of work and money. What's more, modern lubricants will get you pretty far in the wet too.
Which of these would you recommend if you only want to have one product in the garage?
Definitely a wax-based lubricant like Squirt Lube or Smooth. In my opinion, these offer the best compromise between durability and efficiency. At the same time, the drive stays nice and clean and you don't have to deal with greasy fingers. The only disadvantage here is the initial application. The chain must be completely degreased for this.
Spray or dropper bottle, which is better and why?
Dropper bottle. The lubricant can be applied specifically to the rollers of the chain and it is much easier to dose.
Wet, muddy conditions are particularly hard on the drive. Is it worth using wax here?
Wax is quite time-consuming to apply. It only makes sense, I think, if you're looking for the last watt. If you ride a lot in such conditions, I would go for a thicker bad-weather oil. This is the best way to prevent corrosion and doesn't wash out so quickly while riding. But the same applies here: clean the drive properly immediately after riding and lubricate it again. Otherwise, a wax-based product also works very well here.
How do you avoid a black, oil-smeared chain?
With the right care, a wax-based dry lubricant and making sure that you don't lubricate too much. I always lubricate when I hear that the chain is starting to run dry. Before lubricating the chain again, clean it thoroughly (use a cotton cloth with a little brake cleaner and wipe the chain with it) so that dirt and other residues do not become embedded.
What rule of thumb do you recommend using to lubricate your bike chain?
Apply 15 drops to the chain, pedal for 15 seconds and remove the chain with a dry, clean cloth after a further 15 seconds. You should also take a look at the manufacturer's instructions.
We tested 20 lubricants for mountain bike chains. Our extensive laboratory test provides information about the actual qualities of the lubricants and shows that good lubrication does not have to be expensive. You can find high-quality products on the market for as little as €4.40 per 100 millilitres that will give your chain a long life.
You can conveniently download the complete comparison test of 20 lubricants from BIKE 11/2020 as a PDF below the article. The test costs 1.99 euros.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in BIKE. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, namely tens of thousands of euros every year.
