For every chain lubricant listed here, starting with a properly cleaned chain is essential for optimum performance and for you to enjoy its performance benefits. Wet lubes can be used all year, offer better value and have the greatest longevity. Whether wet or dry, it’s often a question of how much time and effort you want to put in. Step 2> Apply on the inside of the chain while turning the pedals to ensure that the lube gets worked into the chain. Keep applying as a constant dribble until you see lube spanning the pins between every other link. He was heavily involved in the mountain bike boom of the late 1980s as a racer, team manager and race promoter, and that led to writing for Mountain Biking UK magazine shortly after its inception. He got the gig by phoning up the editor and telling him the magazine was rubbish and he could do better. Rather than telling him to get lost, MBUK editor Tym Manley called John’s bluff and the rest is history.

Aerodynamic, or wind drag, is the biggest obstacle to going fast. Friction in the drivetrain also contributes to overall drag but a modern drivetrain is in the region of 90-98% efficient, depending on the condition of the chain and several other factors. Step 2 > Apply on the inside of the chain while turning the pedals to ensure that the lube gets worked into the chain. Keep applying as a constant dribble until you see lube spanning the pins between every other link. Because of SMOOVE’s excellent performance in all conditions and its massive staying power, it makes for an excellent lube if you’re one for marathon rides. It’s equally as great if you just want an all-weather lube for your usual weekend blasts because it’ll stay put regardless of what you put your chain through. It's just a bit pricier than some other lubes out there and you'll need to remember to let it dry. Wet lubes contain a lot of lubricant per ml but are prone to attracting a lot of contaminants. Immediate Media fukawitribe replied to r.glancy: I've found Squirt stays on pretty well (for me anyway) even in the wet - very clean, very easy to apply, not so cheap. I've not tried Smoove yet but heard good things about running it, not so much the actual prep and application, probably give it a whirl at some point though.From a cost/benefit viewpoint, there's no point spending more on hi-tec unguents than you're saving on drivetrain wear. After months of testing and development, SMOOVE are proud to announce the launch of SMOOVE Prep. Think of SMOOVE Prep as the conditioner to your shampoo, the milk in your coffee, the seat on your seat post… ok, you get the idea! Less mess than both wet and dry lubes, easy to clean off and literally silent drivetrain for 300-500 miles on one application. However, even a light rain shower will wash dry lube off the chain and it is less durable; an 80-mile ride in dry conditions can see lubrication drastically reduced.

Oh boy, you wouldn't like how I got only 500 miles out of my last chain (Shimano HG40) before it was stretched 1%. That's with obsessive wiping after every ride. On a city bike. In general you should always clean your chain thoroughly before lubricating it if you're using conventional lube; lubing a dirty chain will just wash grit into the links where it causes wear. The idea behind Super Secret Drip lube from Silca is that you're getting pretty close to immersive wax benefits and performance but in a drip lubricant from a bottle. PRSboy: Squirt seems to be the holy grail of lubes, as long as you don't mind reapplying after a wet ride. I've been most impressed. The best bicycle chain lubes get right into the links of your chain to lubricate it, and then stay there. The latest chain lubes include fiendishly clever additives which allow them to coat metal surfaces without attracting crud. They're expensive, but arguably worth the money if you're running an expensive transmission and want to prolong its life.It is best to use a citrus based degreaser when cleaning your chain. If you use a normal degreaser make sure to use hot water to help soften the lube so that the surfactant in the soap can break down the lube. For best results use Smoove™ Prep Chain and drivetrain cleaner. With that in mind, avoiding a contaminated drivetrain is key to optimum efficiency and ensuring long-lasting parts. So, I have been adding drop wise to the top of the roller for a few years now, the thing that I discovered was that if I did a small drop on each roller and then after doing the full chain doing another drop, it seemed to aid penetration and staying power. With overnight set up and wiping down before riding. I might lose a little more on the rag but it seems to work for me.

On my second go around with Smoove I properly cleaned the chain and all that. I did this in July and got several squeak free months out of the chain. I’ve reapplied Smoove to the dirty chain’s rollers a few times but I’m at the point where it needs a cleaning. 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. If you do want to up your game and try to use the best possible product to increase efficiency and lengthen drivetrain life, then start with cleaning. You will need to start with a properly cleaned chain. Investigate what degreasing products you want to use to get your chain sparkling, and head to Zero Friction Cycling which has more information than we could possibly include here on the subject and this will enable you to find the best lubricant for your riding and budget. I have half a dozen bottles of dry lube products on the shelf in the workshop, none of which have ever run out, for the simple reason that none of them work effectively so I don't use them. Typically, 40 to 60 miles is all I get before the grinding transmission becomes noticeable. In some memorably wet rides that's been even less. A friend of mine was doing that years ago, and suffered third degree facial burns when it caught fire as she was heating it. Be *very* careful.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.