BeliOrder Langsung CHAIN LUBE SEPEDA PELUMAS RANTAI SEPEDA 60ML di cakrawala hendro1. Promo khusus pengguna baru di aplikasi Tokopedia! Website tokopedia memerlukan javascript untuk dapat ditampilkan. Selainrantai, kamu bisa menggunakan pelumas ini untuk melumasi foot step, tuas kopling, dan shockbreaker agar terhindar dari karat. Untuk harganya sendiri, Mega Cool Chain Lube dibanderol sekitar Rp30 ribu. 4. Carrera Motor Chain Lube. Rekomendasi pelumas yang terakhir adalah Carrera Motor Chain Lube. Pelumas ini mengandung silikon yang mampu STUDIPUSTAKA MODIFIKASI MINYAK NABATI SEBAGAI SUMBER BAHAN BAKU PELUMAS BIO Agung Siswahyu dan Tri Yuni Hendrawati STUDI PUSTAKA MODIFIKASI MINYAK NABATI SEBAGAI SUMBER BAHAN BAKU PELUMAS BIO Agung Siswahyu dan Tri Yuni Hendrawati Program Studi Teknik Kimia, Fakultas Teknologi Industri Institut Sains dan Teknologi Al-Kamal, Jl.Raya Al-Kamal No.2, Kedoya, Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta Barat 11520 Halooguyss maaf karena dah lama gak upload video yaa soalnya lagi ada ulangan untuk kenaikan kelas Nah jadi kali ini gw mau kasih tau cara menggunakan Chain CaraMenggunakan. CLEAN UP. Pastikan tangan bersih. OPEN UP. Buka tutup flip-flop botol. POUR AWAY. Tuang produknya ke tangan. LUBRICATE. Isi kemasan 30gr & 60gr. Vigel Lubricant merupakan gel pengganti cairan alami yang digunakan sebagai tambahan pelicin kondom maupun vagina yang tidak berwarna, tidak berbau, tidak berminyak, dan larut Sepedaperlu diperlihara secara rutin agar dapat melaju dengan baik. Pelumas rantai adalah salah satu kebutuhan penting dalam pemeliharaan sepeda karena membantu rantai bergerak dengan baik. Namun, banyak jenis pelumas baik kering maupun basah yang dijual oleh berbagai produsen seperti B-CHAIN, BLUB, dan Finish Line. Alhasil, banyak orang mungkin bertanya-tanya mana yang harus dipilih.Kali ini 5Cara Pakai Lubricant untuk Variasi Bercinta. Dalam berhubungan intim, selain menggunakan kondom untuk menjaga keamanan dan kenyamanan Anda berdua, pelumas atau lubricant juga diperlukan agar membuat penetrasi lebih mudah dan sensasi bercinta jadi menyenangkan. MESKIPUN terlihat sepele, lubricant alias pelumas untuk aktivitas seksual ternyata ChainLube Rp; Engine Room Cleaner 600ml Rp; Multipurpose Grease 450 Gr Rp; New Grease Spray Rp; New Oil Spray 220 Ml Rp; Penelube Rp; Cara melapisi kaca mobil dengan mudah dan aman menggunakan Glaco; Cara membersihkan AC mobil dengan mudah dan aman menggunakan Performance AC Cleaner; caramenggunakan chain lube untuk merawat rantai motorvideo kali ini saya akan memberikan tips atau cara menggunakan chain lube untuk merawat rantai motor se Chainlubricant ecolube 200 ml bchain di Tokopedia ∙ Promo Pengguna Baru ∙ Cicilan 0% ∙ Kurir Instan. Beli Chain lubricant ecolube 200 ml bchain di Binneka. Promo khusus pengguna baru di aplikasi Tokopedia! K68i3. Ilustrasi rantai sepeda motor. Foto dok. IstimewaMerawat rantai sepeda motor wajib dilakukan, hal ini untuk menjaga agar komponen perantara tenaga dari mesin ke roda tetap dalam kondisi yang karena itu, rantai membutuhkan perawatan rutin agar kondisinya tetap normal. Apalagi komponen ini bergerak dan terbuat dari besi sehingga rawan karat dan sambil mengisi waktu bekerja dari rumah atau work from home WFH, Anda bisa merawat rantai dengan melumasinya. Tapi sebelum itu, pahami dulu pelumas apa yang cocok untuk rantai motor kesayanganIlustrasi rantai motor Foto IstimewaBiasanya ada 2 macam pelumas yang sering kali dipakai, yakni chain lube pelumas khusus rantai dan oli mesin. Lalu, mana yang lebih baik?Slamet Kasianom, Senior Technical Advisor PT Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing YIMM mengatakan dari ketiga pilihan tersebut yang paling disarankan adalah chain lube atau pelumas khusus rantai."Lebih bagus menggunakan chain lube. kenapa? karena dia punya semacam zat kimia yang juga punya fungsi meredam gesekan, menahan kotoran dan yang paling penting ramah lingkungan," kata Slamet kepada kumparan, Kamis 9/4.Ilustrasi bahan pembuatan oli mesin Foto IstimewaOli mesin, kata Slamet memang punya fungsi melumasi. Namun jika digunakan pada rantai menurutnya kurang cocok karena sifatnya yang mudah menangkap debu, ini akan membuat rantai kotor dan mudah panas ketika rantai bergerak."Kotorannya bisa mengikis logam-logam di rantai, jadi cepet aus. Oli ini juga bisa berceceran di jalan dan membahayakan orang lain, bahaya juga untuk lingkungan karena dia sulit terurai kan," ganti oli motor. Foto ShutterstockApalagi jika menggunakan oli bekas sebagai pelumas rantai. Dia mengatakan, oli bekas mengandung serbuk garam dan kotoran dari dalam mesin. Alih-alih ingin hemat justru merusak dan memperpendek usia rantai dan durasi pelumasan rantai, sebaiknya dilakukan setiap sebulan sekali. Namun, sebelum melumasi, rantai dicuci terlebih dahulu agar sistem pelumasan bisa lebih maksimal."Cucinya pakai air sabun dan sikat kawat saja. Jangan pakai bensin atau solar itu bisa merusak o-ring di mata rantainya," katanya. Let me ask you a question - How often do you check your bike chain? I'm guessing the answer is only a few times. Here is another Do you systematically clean and oil your chain after each ride? Or do you only notice it when it squeaks when it's dried out?Don't worry; you are not the only one in the same situation, but as an expert, I would say a well-cared-for chain makes for a happy bike and a comfortable ride. Everyone should understand how the chain works and the process of cleaning and lubricating them properly. Thus, we have created this article to know what you need to know. Let's get of a Bike ChainA bicycle chain is made up of four fundamental partsLinks on the outsideInner hyperlinksPinsRollersThere are two link plates on each chain link. Rollers are placed between these link plates where the inner and outer links connect. All of this is kept together by a pin. The rollers are the significant component of the chain that contacts the chain ring's teeth or allow the chain to articulate as you pedal, together with the pins. When you properly lubricate your chain, the oil penetrates the rollers, allowing them to move chains vs. expensive chainsA high-end chain brand like Shimano provides you with SIL-TEC and Chromizing surface treatments that create a durable surface and reduce friction for your bike. Shimano Dura-Ace/XTR and SRAM Red/XX1, some of the Top-of-the-line chains, use hollow pins, which reduces weight. These hollow pins can also increase strength due to extra range-topping chains come with a gold “Ti-Nitride” coating, stating that the more advanced the layer the chain is equipped with, the more expensive it the above points, we can conclude that you can acquire a manufactured and coated chain to run faster, quieter, and last longer, which will also be worth every penny you spend on it. Or, you can still go for a cheap/ affordable chain and properly maintain it to receive outstanding should you lubricate your chain?One of the most general questions that we come across is, why are we doing whatsoever? If we talk in a common language, lubrication is used to ride your bike smoothly. Well, that’s true, but there are more advantages that lubrication provides to your bike chain. Let’s take a look at themExtended chain life from wearAs the chain is made of metal, due to friction, dry change wears much faster. Lubrication helps prevent the rubbing of roller plates between each other, reduces the friction between the chain and cassette, crack rings and Jockey protection from environmental conditionsThe riding environment works against your chain. Sand, mud and dirt will increase the friction and wear. Also, Rain, Snow, road or climate salt can cause your bike chain to rust out. Applying lubrication to the chain can reduce the influence of environmental factors and keep the chain like chain noiseThis occurs when the lubricant dries out completely. You can check your bike chain by using a finger if dry. To prevent it, clean and lubricate your chain properly to make it sound gear shiftingGear shifting is one of the key factors of bike performance. Bad gear shifting can make you slower and reduce your efficiency; hence it is essential to lubricate your chain and check how much is savingWhen chain lubrication becomes dry, it consumes about 20 Watts at a speed of 35 km per hour. In contrast, an adequately lubricated chain consumes about 5 to 10 Watts depending on the brand. Thus, by properly lubricating your bike chain, you can save a lot of energy and increase your pedaling efficiency. So the question arises - Can you use any kind of lube on your chain?The answer to the question varies from person to person. Why? Because we heard/learned or saw at some point in our lives, most people use just any lubricant available in the garage to lube their chain as the purpose is full-filled and very few use the appropriate one.“What…? Was I using the wrong lubricant this whole time? Oh man, please tell me, how can I know which one to use?”To answer this question, let’s look at the types of lubricants and their – Types and PropertiesSeveral lubes are available for varied reasons and need to fulfill different scenarios. But before we can go through the types of lubes, let's look at the properties of chain chain oil must,Protect your chain from corrosion or to your chain in extreme weather the spaces between your chain links and minimize the drive train's durability and usability. Prevent the dirt from are the different types of lubes?Though chain lubricants are broadly divided into Dry and Wet, we have further classified them depending on their use in particular weather or trail conditions. Take a look at them Chain oil for extremely dry conditions Dry lubeFinish Line Dry Chain LubeThis lube is ideally designed for riding in dry conditions like their name. They are usually made of around 10 percent lubricant that involves synthetic oils and additives, and the other 90 percent includes carrier they provide greater efficiency by attracting fewer contaminants and lower friction, they also become a lower viscosity at its assembly, we can say that you are spending your money mostly on carrier fluid which is supposed to and designed to disappear into thin only downside here is that dry lubes are often easily washed off by rain or oil for extremely wet conditions Wet lubeWPL Wet Chain Lube Unlike the dry lube, wet lube generally contains greater quantities of synthetic oils with higher viscosity and additives such as are designed for riding in wet or all-year-round conditions to get more lubricant per millilitre. Due to its increased viscosity lasts longer and is unlikely to get washed off your chain if you encounter water. Isn't that great?!However, you should wipe off any excess lube before riding to use it efficiently. Consider cleaning the drive train after every ride if you want to maximize your chain's performance, the lube's benefit and optimize the drive train's life. It's the irony that the only downside to this lube comes from its strength. Its properties make it a magnet for dirt and grime, and the higher viscosity results in lower outright efficiency when compared to thinner oil for extreme weather conditions Rainy day lubeThis type of lube is best for extreme wet conditions. While the high performance makes it last longer during rainy days, its unique, attractive, and excellent water repellent formula keeps the ride smooth on wet and muddy trails. The lube makes its way through each chain link to offer good lubrication and protection, providing the ultimate protection against oil for every cause All round lubeWolf Tooth All Condition Chain Lube When you choose a chain oil, you might wonder if any lube can be ideal for any extreme conditions and is prepared for any circumstances. Well, there is. There are lubes of this kind available in the market, which eases your job of constantly changing the chain oil and providing universal characteristics and oils for e-bikesFL E-Bike Chain Lube One might also ask if electric bicycles and e-bikes need a special chain oil?The answer is yes. When it comes to a motorized bike, it puts higher tensile forces on the bicycle chain than a standard bike. An e-bike lube is designed to absorb these tensile forces safely and minimize friction while protecting your chain from lubeIt's beyond imagination that lubricants can be based on paraffin wax - the stuff used to make candles. But, it's true. They have become quite popular among bike enthusiasts due to their efficiency, longevity and resistance to lubeWhile they have been popping up over the last few years, they claim a smoother, quieter ride while increasing the chain's performance. But, with excellent attributes comes higher prices. They are somewhat pricey, making it challenging for a few to Consider When Choosing a Bicycle LubricantThe type of rideYou need to consider the time of the year you ride your bike the most. You might not like to go out bike riding during wet weather conditions. Or, you are one of those fitness freaks who rides their bike irrespective of the extreme weather conditions. This way, you can be sure which type of bicycle lubricant will suit your lifestyle - be it the dry lube for dry conditions or a lube that can be used all year round. The type of bike The deciding factor can also depend on the kind of bike you ride. For example, if it is a road bike, you would need a wet lube even if you are riding on clean terrains and the environment is for the mountain bikes, or if you wish to go mountain biking in dry weather, you can opt for a dry or wax lube to withstand the dirt, grime, and a lot of debris from the best chain lube - Dry Vs. Wet?While dry lube is ideal for dry conditions, they also feature not holding the dirt. But, at the same time, wet lubes are not attracting any dirt, but they do hold the dirt. The dry lube falls out with the dirt, which means your bike would lose the lube, but it successfully keeps the grit from entering the drive train. On the other hand, wet lubes always hold the dirt and suspend the grit particles, but the dirt does not contact the drive though wet lubes can be used in all weather conditions, lasts longer, and offer better pedal efficiency, dry lubricants can outweigh all the combined benefits since they don’t pick up as much trail debris as the wet to clean and lube your chain?Now, it's time to put on the gloves and get started with the The first step is the a degreaser and fill a squeeze bottle with it. Dribble the degreaser on the chain as you spin the pedals backward. You can now soak a rug in a degreaser to firmly hold the chain and continue spinning the pedals. After cleaning the chain, you can rinse off all the remaining de-greaser on the chain using clean water. You can let it sit in the sun for 10 minutes to dry and use a dry rug to wipe the rest. But, degreasing is essential, when,You are changing your lube are switching from wet lube to dry lube or vice got a new The second step takes us to oil the chainAfter getting your chain cleaned, you are supposed to lubricate those chains. At this step, you must be careful not to let the oil get anywhere other than the inside of the chain where it is needed. 3. The last stepFinish up your work by wiping the excess oil. You may think that more oil can give you more efficiency. But, any lube, especially an oil-based lube, can attract more grime and can stick to your bike, making more mess. So, it's better to wait for five minutes and then wipe off the question still remains to know the proper methods to clean the chain, right? Let's take a look at our next question to answer your do I properly clean my chain?The most efficient and best way to thoroughly clean your chain is to,Remove the chain and soak it in the degreaser or white can leave it in the liquid for an hour or choose to leave it overnight. After soaking it well, take the chain out, spray it with a fresh degreaser, and scrub it using a can also consider using soap and water at this point for extensive cleaning. After you have rinsed it well with clear water, let it dry in direct though this process takes a lot of your time, it's worth your effort and time if you prepare for a big event or an important race. Two issues that you must look out for during the process of cleaning are1. Tight Links Tight links that no longer bend smoothly are known as tight ones. These are caused mainly by dirt or corrosion between link plates. However, they can still be fixed by cleaning, lubricating, and flexing back and forth. And if not dirt or corrosion, these close links result from improper pin installation or severe chain damage. In case of damaged chains, it is highly recommended to replace them. Moreover, when it comes to poorly installed link pins, you can consider working the pins back into position while using either a chain tool or your hands. 2. Chain StretchWith extensive use, the chains become longer. This is known as Stretch. The chain stretches with every use and as they wear between the rollers and the link pins. This can further cause extra wear and tear on your rear cog teeth and chain it is your responsibility to replace the chain during the right time since replacing a chain is much cheaper than buying a whole new cog best method to apply - Spray or Drip?The spray might be an easy choice for any individual since it dries in a few minutes and easily applies. However, the only downside to this method is that it can get to other parts of the bicycle, which will result in collecting dirt and grime. On the other hand, using the drip method, you can apply the lube directly to the necessary parts of the bicycle Often?You need to get your bike chain cleaned and lubricated at least once every month. This is required to enhance your bike’s performance and the chain’s longevity. However, if you are a frequent rider or are riding through dirty terrain and challenging conditions, cleaning and lubricating them after every ride would be more beneficial. How to tell if your chain is wornThe easiest way is to pull in the chain at the front of the ring and observe if it is starting to lift off the top and/or the bottom from where it sits on the chain ring's teeth. If that is the case, then it means that your bike chain has started to wear or is already worn Also Ask Why do I need a chain lube? You will need a good chain lube to smooth the chain's engagement during your ride and maintain proper shifting performance. While it helps you withstand corrosion and reduce friction, it enhances the chain's longevity by reducing drive train wear. How often do I need to apply chain lube? It entirely depends on how often you ride your bike. But, it also depends on the type of ride you enjoy. Typically, applying once every month or every 150-200 miles will render you great results. However, if you are an adventurer who likes to ride through muddy terrains, then lubricating will be more beneficial after every ride. What's the difference between wax and oil lube? Oil can be a perfect choice for your bike since they're easy and keep your bike's chain running quiet and smooth. But, if you are choosing to use this lube, you must be ready to clean and degrease your chain regularly since oil-based lubricants are dirt it comes to wax lubes, you get the best of both worlds due to their oil-based counterparts, which provide the same quiet and smooth riding experience, but with not so much grime. Can I use chain lube as a cleaner instead of a degreaser? Even though many riders do this, you must not. Suppose you use a wax-based lube, which is meant to clean the chain as you ride. In that case, you may only require to wipe the chain using a rug and apply the if you use an oil-based lubricant, you will end up with grime and dirt not only on your bike but also on your socks and shoes; unless you clean the chain, de-grease it, lube it properly. This is because oil-based lubes are not designed to clean your chain. What is a good lubricant for a bike? A good lubricant for a bike should always,Reduce the chain friction. Increase the life of your bike chain. Increases the performance of your bike. It enables a smooth, comfortable, noise-free reduces the wearing of your drive good lubricant - be it a dry lube, wet lube, or wax-based lubricant- is good for you and your bike if they provide you with these benefits. Can WD40 be used as a bike lube? You probably shouldn't. This lubricant is too thin to lubricate your bike's chain properly and will attract a lot of grime. This can also eventually lead to the wearing of the chain. Therefore, it would be in the best interest of your bike if you choose a lube that suits your terrain and is specially designed for bikes. Final ThoughtsA bike lube is as essential as any other bike gear or biking component. Reading about chain lubes and purchasing one can be different experiences. But isn't that what we live for - Exploring and experiencing!At BikesReviewed, you can find the latest reviews, brand guides, and more about bikes and their essential gears. It aims to bring you closer to the best products so that you can shop seamlessly without much hassle. Unless you run a belt drive, the chain is one of the hardest working components on your bicycle. Even when pedalling at a normal cadence, a huge amount of metal on metal contact is continuously created by the interaction between the chain and the rest of the drivetrain. A good chain lube can smooth the chain’s engagement with the cassette sprockets and chainrings, and maintain proper shifting performance. It also helps prevent corrosion and reduces friction and drivetrain wear. 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. The trick is getting it just right. However, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to chain lubes – with countless brands offering a range of different types of lube and formulas – so finding the best chain oil isn’t always easy. 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. Efficiency and drivetrain wear When most cyclists think about lubrication, they likely think about decreasing friction and increasing efficiency. It’s not all about efficiency though, friction and drivetrain wear are closely associated too. Under clean, laboratory conditions, more viscous lubricants would be expected to decrease drivetrain wear rates. In the real world, however, dirt and other contaminants enter the equation. If these get in your drivetrain they essentially form a paste think ‘liquid sandpaper’ with the lubricant literally grinding away your gears. What is drivetrain efficiency? 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. 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. Real-world conditions don’t usually mimic those of a laboratory though. 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. With that in mind, avoiding a contaminated drivetrain is key to optimum efficiency and ensuring long-lasting parts. Doing so is a challenge, though. When you ride in wet or dirty conditions, your front wheel sprays huge amounts of contaminants onto your chain although good mudguards can mitigate the effects to a degree. From there, the only way to reset the balance is to clean your drivetrain thoroughly. Racers will find easy gains to be made from a properly cleaned and lubricated drivetrain because a dirty, poorly lubricated chain can decrease drivetrain efficiency by a few per cent, for example. If your chain looks anything like this, it’s costing you watts and wearing out your parts. David Rome / Immediate Media 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. After all, the more expensive your parts, the more expensive they are to replace. Have you ever looked up the price of a Shimano Dura-Ace, SRAM Red or Campagnolo Super Record cassette? Yikes… Types of chain lube There are many different types of bicycle-specific lubes, including wet lubes, dry lubes, ceramic lubes and wax lubes. Each has its own pros and cons, and intended use, which we’ll come on to. Most lubes contain synthetic oils, along with friction-reducing additives such as PTFE Teflon and carrier fluids that evaporate after application. Recently, partly thanks to the increased availability of independent testing data, waxed-based lubricants have risen in popularity among performance-minded cyclists. The key with bicycle chain lubrication is to get it in the internals of the chain among the rollers and pins. Before lubricating, you also need to clean it as thoroughly as possible, to remove contaminants. Chain oils range greatly in price, from a few pounds/dollars at the very low end, to more than £70 at the very top end. With an RRP of €70, Ceramicspeed’s UFO Drip lube is possibly the most expensive chain lube on the market. It has performed well in independent tests though. Ceramic Speed Budget-conscious cyclists ought to consider the full cost of maintaining a drivetrain when making lube purchasing decisions, though. A cheap lube could end up costing you a lot more overall than an expensive one, for example. 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. That said, just because something costs more, it doesn’t mean it’s automatically better. 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. Dry lube Dry chain lubes have not typically performed well in our testing, but the Maxima Chain Pro Dry Formula bucked the trend. Russell Eich / Immediate Media 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. Some companies label wax-based lubes as ‘dry’ too, but we’ll cover them separately shortly. As a lower viscosity lubricant, dry lubes promise greater efficiency through lower friction and by attracting fewer contaminants. The downside of dry lubes is they are often very easily washed off by rain or puddles. Zero Friction Cycling ZFC suggests dry lubes typically appear cleaner because they lack enough actual lubricant to be effective. This has the knock-on effect of meaning they usually result in high levels of friction and wear, according to ZFC’s testing. 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. 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. Wet lube Wet lubes contain a lot of lubricant per ml but are prone to attracting a lot of contaminants. Immediate Media Wet lubes are designed for riding in wet or year-round conditions and, as such, generally contain greater quantities of higher viscosity synthetic oils, as well as additives such as PTFE. 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. The downside of wet lubes? 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. Best practice for this type of lube is to apply sparingly to each link in the chain and wipe off any excess before riding. 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. Once a wet lube becomes contaminated it can begin to cause drivetrain wear. White Lightning Wet Lube, Pedro’s Syn Lube and Muc-Off Wet Lube all scored over four stars in our testing. Ceramic lube The jury’s still out on whether ceramic lubricants provide any measurable benefits over standard wet lubes. Immediate Media Ceramic lubes have started popping up over the last few years, with bold claims about increased performance, alongside increased prices. It’s not always clear what they contain or what benefits they offer over other types of lubricants, though. 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. 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. 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. All thing’s considered, until they have been definitively proven to work as advertised, it’s hard to recommend ceramic lubes over more affordable options. Wax lube Smoove is one of our favourite wax-based drip lubes. Colin Levitch / Immediate Media 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. Waxed-based lubricants are usually a mix of highly-refined paraffin wax particles, mixed with additives such as PTFE and a carrier fluid. Popular wax lubes include Smoove and Squirt, both of which scored over four-and-a-half stars in our testing. The key to wax’s good performance is that, when applied correctly, it settles to form a hard, almost dry layer of low friction lubricant on the chain. Your chain must be properly cleaned before wax lube is applied, or else it won’t be able to penetrate the rollers or dry properly, leading to an inevitable build-up of dirty gunk. Colin Levitch / Immediate Media This increased dryness is key because it prevents friction-increasing contaminants from sticking to the chain and working their way into the internals of the chain or coating your drivetrain parts. 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 This means you’ll have to completely strip even a brand new, box-fresh chain of all grease and oil. You also need to leave enough time before you ride for the wax to completely dry and harden on the chain overnight, ideally. If you ride in wet conditions the chain will also need to be cleaned, dried and lubricated soon afterwards to prevent corrosion. Immersive waxing If you’re after the fastest, most efficient drivetrain possible, immersive waxing is currently king. Look around any professional race or time trial and you’re bound to spot more than a few waxed chains. This process involves taking a scrupulously clean chain and immersing it in a heated vat of highly refined paraffin wax and other additives. We published a detailed recipe back in 2013, but it’s also available commercially under brand names such as Molten Speed Wax. You can source the ingredients separately yourself, but ZFC says that commercial blends such as Molten Speed Wax use more highly refined paraffin wax than what is normally available to consumers, for optimum performance and cleanliness. The heat helps the chain parts expand, allowing the lubricants to fully penetrate all parts of the chain and flush out contaminants. Once the chain is removed, the wax also dries to a completely dry, solid layer of lubricant over every part. Immersive chain waxing can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s a simple enough process and, as well as saving you money and watts, it could arguably save you time overall too. Simon von Bromley / Immediate Media If you’re thinking, “That sounds like quite a lot of hassle…”, you wouldn’t be wrong. It is, at least initially. In our experience, the hard part of immersive waxing is usually the initial chain cleaning process. The factory grease can be hard to completely remove from the inside of even a brand new chain. 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. Once it’s been properly cleaned and treated though, waxed chains have, in our experience, an incredible ability to shrug off dirt and grime. Because they’re so dry, there’s nothing for dirt to stick to. This means you essentially don’t have to clean any part of your drivetrain at all for around 300 to 400km, unless you do a wet ride. Because highly refined paraffin wax contains practically no oil, waxed chains are prone to rusting after wet rides. 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. A little extra legwork then, but the potential rewards are substantial. 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. This also helps massively extend the lifespan of the other, more expensive drivetrain components such as cassettes and chainrings. Waxed chains and drivetrain parts like cassettes and chainrings can also be cleaned using boiling water – no degreaser required. Arguably, this will save you time overall, but you do have to put in the work up front. Look around any important race and you’ll likely see a few immersive waxed chains. This one has a healthy dusting of extra PTFE powder to further reduce friction. Ben Delaney / Immediate Media 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. 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. What about grease? This section is really here to advise against using grease to lubricate your chain. While grease is great for bearings 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. The viscous friction will be much higher too. It’s also going to attract every bit of grit, dirt and grime you come across and will be a nightmare to clean off properly afterwards. Unless your bike ride is planned to take place underwater, we’d recommend steering well clear of using grease on your chain. Do aerosol lubes work? 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 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. Best chain lube for road and time-trial bikes Waxed chains are currently on the throne for both outright performance and drivetrain lifespan. Simon Bromley As things stand, immersive waxing or waxed-based chain lubes are best. The efficiency and cleanliness make them clear leaders in this category. According to ZFC, the difference between a good and bad lubricant can comfortably amount to five to ten watts at a 250-watt load. These losses increase in magnitude as the load increases, too. For wet conditions, the winner is slightly less clear cut, but we’d still recommend waxed-based lubricants for their efficiency. Crucially, however, you’ll have to be prepared to clean your chain immediately after wet rides to prevent corrosion. 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. You can then clean and re-lubricate whichever one is currently not on your bike at your leisure. 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. 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. Best chain lube for mountain, gravel and cyclocross bikes Again, wax is the reigning champion when it comes to keeping your drivetrain well lubricated and clean of contaminants. Simon Bromley / Immediate Media Because of the massively increased level of contaminants, a dry lubricant that prevents dirt and grime from entering the drivetrain will perform best. It’s for this reason we’d recommend waxed-based lubes, either in drip form or immersive waxed chains. Again, having multiple waxed chains on rotation is the best solution, according to ZFC. 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. 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. Best chain lube for commuting Commuters like Alex just want to ride their bikes with minimum fuss, so a standard wet lube is probably the best option. You’ll need to stay on top of your cleaning regimen to keep your parts from wearing out quickly though. Simon Bromley For commuters, we’d recommend a standard wet chain lube and good mudguards, with effective mud flaps. 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. 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. It’s fair to say not everyone will have the inclination or patience for it though. After all, outright efficiency and cleanliness almost certainly matter less to most commuters than the ability for your bike to last a couple of weeks in all weathers without cleaning it. 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 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. However, for all-weather convenience, a wet lube will still come up trumps. How to clean your bike in 7 simple steps What’s your favourite chain lube? Let us know in the comments below.