Just like every vehicle you have ever owned, a bike requires its fair share of maintenance. But you'd be surprised at how long you can prolong the lifespan of your bike components (and of the bike itself) if you clean and lubricate them regularly. This review analyzes several lubricants to find the best bike chain lube models.
But before we dive into the products themselves, we're going to go over some of the basic info that every bike owner should know about this particular category of products.
Table Of Contents
Top 6 Best Bike Chain Lube Comparisons
Brand | Details |
|---|---|
 Finish Line DRY Teflon Bicycle Chain Lube | |
 Finish Line Ceramic WAX Bicycle Chain Lube | |
 RocRide New ECO-X Bio-Based Chain Lube | |
 Bike Medicine Purple Extreme Performance Synthetic Chain Lubricant | |
 Wend Bike Chain Wax Kit |
A Thing or Two about Lubricants
In the end, there is one reason and one reason alone why chain lube should always find its way into your home: because an efficient drivetrain is a performant one. Whenever you apply lubricant to your bike chain, you ensure that the entire pedaling mechanism will do its best. Most people will tell you that lubricants are either wet or dry.
Dry Lube
The reason why dry lube is called dry lube is because of the active substance found inside it. Dry lube has more of a wax-like texture and, even if it's wet when you apply it, it dries out to leave the lubricating elements covering the chain. Since it is a lighter lubricant, it does a fairly good job at keeping dirt away from your chain, and it's mostly recommended for fair riding conditions. However, it is less durable, which means that a new coat of lubricant will be required soon enough. Another disadvantage of this type of lube is that it easily gets washed away in the middle of the rain.
Wet Lube
Wet lubricant is similar to dry lube, Except it remains liquid and never dries off. If you use wet lube and neglect to clean your drivetrain, thick black gunk will start to accumulate.
Contrary to dry lube, the wet kind is better for several weather conditions throughout the entire year. It is rain-resistant and provides proper protection for your chain against rust and salt corrosion that's characteristic of winter riding.
However, when you use wet lubricant regularly, your chain gets stickier and attracts grime. Over time, this will turn into lapping paste that, in turn, damages your drivetrain. Conclusively, using wet lubricant will require regular degreasing.
Ceramic Lube
Somewhere in between wet and dry lube sits a third option. When you apply it, it's liquid, but it turns into a tack-like substance when it dries out. It is the most expensive type of lube, but also the one with the best properties. The chemical formulas inside ceramic lubes will ensure they aren't washed away, but they also provide low friction lubrication. As a result, it doesn't require frequent applications and improves the overall performance of your bike.
While each type of lubricant is suitable for different situations, most riders prefer having both dry and wet lube at home and alternate them according to the current weather. Dry lube is the ideal choice for sunny and dry days, while wet lube is better for people who cycle all year round and like to poke around their bike often.
Lubricating the Chain
It is no secret that the best bike chain lube is the factory-applied one. Whatever you purchase, don't expect it to have the same lubricating performance as the one your bike came with. So, the more you try to prolong the lifespan of the original factory lube, the better. However, riding your bike in wet weather conditions or noticing that the chain is starting to squeak are both signs that it's time to add your own lubricant into the equation.
A new bike chain can be expensive, so take care of the one you already have. All you need when you want to lubricate a chain is the actual lubricant and a rag. Of course, there are several cleaning products sold by manufacturers, but you don't really need them to clean the chain, they just make the process a bit easier. Your bike repair kit may also come with lubricant, depending on what it includes.
We'd like to give you a step-by-step process on applying the lubricant, but since every type has different requirements, there isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of explanation. For example, some lubricants will require that you leave them to dry and then wipe off the excess, but others recommend that you don't do that. Some lubricants require a very thorough cleaning of the bike's chain and all the other drivetrain components before applying a new coat, but others don't.
Of course, if there is an excessive amount of dirt covering your chain, cleaning is kind of mandatory if you want the new lube coating to stick to the chain.
Before diving into the best-suited products for bike chain lubrication, remember this: don't improvise. Don't assume that whatever oil-based product you have at home is suitable for lubricating the bike chain. Let's take organic oils, for instance. They don't have the necessary ingredients to stick to your chain long enough. Same thing goes for motor oils.
Top 6 Best Bike Chain Lube Reviews
Finish Line DRY Teflon Bicycle Chain Lube
The Finish Line dry chain lube is available in all shapes and sizes, perfect for whatever bike you're using. In this particular review, we're going to talk about the 4 oz. squeeze bottle, but you can also order a pack of 3 at a much better price, or you can opt for the 8 oz. aerosol or squeeze bottle, 2 oz. versions, or maybe the 32 oz. or 1 gallon jugs, if you need a lot of chain lube at once.
As we've mentioned in the beginning of this article, dry lubricant is wet when applied, but it dries out to create a wax-like protective film, and the Finish Line product is no exception. When the lube goes dry, the protective film makes sure that your chain doesn't attract excessive amounts of dirt. It also promises to repel moisture, although it won't do much good against larger quantities of water (that come in contact with the chain when you're pedaling in the rain or often ride across large water puddles). The manufacturer promises a smooth 100 miles ride before a new application is required.
Since dry lube performs well in dry conditions, it's suitable for riders who often find themselves on dirty, dry off-road paths, but it's also great for people enjoying their bikes on sunny days. In addition, since Finish Line has added Teflon fluoropolymer into their product, it should do a good job in helping reduce pedaling friction. As advertised, the product also does a good job in reaching difficult parts, such as brake and shifter pivots and chain bushings.
Pros
Cons
Where to buy?
Reliable and fast delivery
15% off on your First Order
Finish Line Ceramic WAX Bicycle Chain Lube
Available in bottles of 2, 4, and 32 oz., Finish Line also provides a ceramic lube for those who want to get the best of both worlds. As we've already established, ceramic lube gathers the features of both dry and wet lube so that you can enjoy a clean and completely performant drivetrain. Whenever you apply ceramic lube to your chain, the coating is enhanced to the point when it's more protective compared to other types of lubricants.
Once it dries out, it won't be sticky or wet, so that your chain doesn't attract dirt, dust, grit, or grime. This ensures the bike will have smoother pedaling for longer. Due to the white ceramic particles that come in contact with the chain, a darkish film will start forming on top of the was coating. This phenomenon will disappear in time, and rest assured that it won't affect your bike's overall performance. The liquid's temperature will affect its density. When it's cold, the liquid becomes very thick, but at room temperature, the liquid inside the bottle becomes water-like thin, and you need to be careful of it dripping on the floor as you apply it to the bike's chain. You could end up wasting a lot of it.
You should be able to ride your bike for about 120 miles before a new coat is required. Make sure that you don't wipe off the excess lubricant after applying it to your chain.
Pros
Cons
Where to buy?
Cheaper and reliable delivery option
RocRide New ECO-X Bio-Based Chain Lube
RocRide's product is a wet lubricant available in 4 oz. bottles. You can purchase a single bottle, or get a bulk discount for buying one of the other 3 packages, (2, 3, or 20 bottles). If you ride a bike for its eco-friendly transportation, then you'll probably want to buy this eco-friendly lube as well. Made from biodegradable and renewable resources, the lube promises to keep your drivetrain at optimal levels while supporting you and the environment.
Since it's treated with a bunch of antioxidants, the product is meant to prevent corrosion and premature wear of your drivetrain components. Since this is a wet lube, it's suitable for all-year-around use and covers many weather and temperature conditions. In conclusion, it can be used both for city and off-road rides, as it can effectively repel dirt and water at the same time.
Remember that you should shake the bottle before each application to make sure solid lubricants won't settle. You also have to clean the chain by simply wiping it with a dry rag to ensure no particles are stuck to any of the drive train's components. When you squeeze the product's bottle to lubricate the chain, make sure that you avoid over-spraying. After the application, leave the bike to dry for a few minutes and then wipe off the excess lubricant by using a clean cloth.
Pros
Cons
Bike Medicine Purple Extreme Performance Synthetic Chain Lubricant
Bike Medicine stands behind its Purple lube with one of the strongest and most protective bike chain films you've ever seen. It promises over 400 miles of smooth riding before a new application is required. We were skeptical about this promise, but customers seem to stand by it, mentioning that (at least in this aspect) it performs just like advertised. However, this 400 miles promise is only valid when you're riding in dry conditions.
The Purple Extreme lube was originally created for drive chain protection in mining conditions, which means that it should meet some high industry standards. As promised, it creates a very strong and protective film that's able to keep two metal surfaces separated. In fact, Bike Medicine talks about laboratory tests performed under extreme pressure that proved that this is, indeed, a product that's able to create a film or the utmost strength.
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Wend Bike Chain Wax Kit
Wend offers an entire chain cleaning and lubricating kit to keep your chain working. This wax-based chain lubricant is applied by rubbing it on the surface of the chain, promising to keep your drivetrain in healthy and working condition while making sure that the chain won't make any annoying noises as you're riding.
Containing a paraffin-based formula, Wand's kit should reduce friction and perform just as well as lubricants that include Teflon and zinc. In the kit, you will receive a cleaning formula as well as the actual lubricant. The bike chain cleaner gets through whatever's covering the chain (whether it's dirt, formerly-used wax, or lubricant) and leaves it nice and shiny.
One of the many advantages of using a wax-based product is that you won't have the lube dripping all over the place as you try to apply it to your bike chain. Just make sure that you always clean your chain before each application (It includes a clean and branded rag for this purpose). Also, when you're applying the product, make sure you don't press the chain powerfully on the wax so that the latter starts falling off. Also, make sure that you don't over-apply it. A thin coat is all you really need.
Pros
Cons
Where to buy?
15% off on your First Order
The Bottom Line
The best bike chain lube is based on how you like to ride. If your adventures often take you on dry roads, then a dry lube is your best choice. They prevent dust from contaminating the chain and making its way towards all of your drive train's components. Wet lubes are more suitable for those who like to ride their bikes all the time, no matter the weather. They are, however, most suitable for damp conditions and, since they don't dry out completely, they are more likely to attract dust.
Ceramic lubes are a combination of the other two types, and they often contain wax. While it's wet when you apply it, it dries out to leave a special protective coating.