Well, if you are a biker, you must know how important it is to maintain your bike. You know that the chain is one of the complicated components of the bike that you need to take care of. While you are riding the bike, an interaction between the chain and other drivetrain components happens continuously. To maintain that friction, it is important to lubricate the chain of your bike. Here, the best mountain bike chain lube will help you to also maintain proper shifting while driving.
Having problems with the chain can be a disaster when you are someone who has to go on long routes in your cycle. Even when lubricating, you will have to keep in mind that it should be done in a proper way. If you are looking for chain lube, you are going to get a lot of options because many companies are offering you a variety of chain lubes that you can use. But finding the best one for you can be a tedious task, so, we have come to help you with the same. We have shortlisted some of the best chain lube for you. Let’s find out the best chain lube for bicycles.
Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2023 | Experts Recommended
Types of Chain Lube
Before we present you with the list of the best chain lubes, you must know the type of chain lubes that you are going to get. There are generally four types of chain lubes and every one of them has its advantages and disadvantages. Get the list of all types of chain lubes and decide which kind you want for your bike.
Dry Lubes
If you are going cycling in dry areas or in dry weather, we will suggest you try this one. As the name suggests, you are going to get fewer oils and additives in these lubes. You are going to get 10 percent of lubricant and the rest consists of the carrier fluid. We will advise you to not get confused between the dry lube and the wax lubes. One thing that you should know about dry lube is that it can be washed off easily by rain or even puddles. Other than this, this lube is quite effective and cleaner to apply on the bike. So, this is going to provide you with high-level friction.
Wet Lubes
Now, if you are going to ride in a wet area, this is the right lube for you. In this lube, you are going to get a higher amount of lubricants, synthetic oils, and additives. What we like about this best bicycle chain lube is that it will cover more area in lea amount and can last longer. Other than this, there are very fewer chances that it will get washed away with water. One thing that we feel is the disadvantage of this chain lube is that it can attract dirt. You may also get less friction because of the presence of viscous friction.
Wax Lubes
As we have mentioned, dry lubes can be confused with wax lubes. They are different. The wax lubes are made up of paraffin wax and they have become common in recent times. This type of bike lube is quite efficient, resists dirt, and is also long-lasting. Other than this, it can increase the friction that can prevent the dirt from sticking to the chain, and also, it can work well with the internal of the bike chain. What we think is the disadvantage of this lube is that you need to clean the chain properly before applying the lube. It is important if you want the lube to stick properly to the chain.
Ceramic Lubes
Now, this is the last type of chain lubes that we are going to discuss. It is not known what the best bike lubes contain but it has been said that these lubes contain ceramic particles. These ceramic particles help to reduce friction better than synthetic oils. The price of this type of lube is comparatively high but it can increase the life of the drivetrain. So, on an overall basis, you are going to save money.
Best Bike Chain Lubes | Review Guide
Now that you know what are the types of chain lubes. Read the list below for all the best bike chain lubes that you can buy. We have considered different things like type, longevity, resistance to contamination, price, and even more. Considering all the points, we have shortlisted all the best bike lubes that you can use. Check out the list below.
1. Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube
| Batteries Included | No |
| Brand | Squirt |
| Color | Multicolour |
| Length | 4.7 Inches |
| Width | 1.6 Inches |
| Height | 1.5 Inches |
| Weight | 0.25 Pounds |
| Manufacturer | Squirt |
The first one on the list is an all-rounder. You can use this bike/bicycle chain lube for any bike like a road bike, mountain bike, or gravel bike, and even more. If you do not want to apply the lube daily, this is the right choice for you. This is one of the best lube for a bicycle chain.
This is a wax-based lube that you can as a replacement for wet or dry lube. The lube can be penetrated the chain very easily. You will also have to make sure that you have cleaned the chain before you are using this chain lube. Other than this, what we love about this chain lube is that it is quite long-lasting and is quite affordable. Being a wax-based lube; the lube is not so sticky. Also, the lube is dust and gunk resistant keeping your bike chains smooth while you are riding.
- Affordable
- Frictionless Performance
- Doesn’t Collect Much Dirt
- Limited Supply
- Not Best For Wet Conditions
2. Stealth Road Bike Chain LUBE
| Color | Black |
| Ean | 5060012765002 |
| Included Components | Lubricant |
| Item Volume | 100 milliliters |
| Material | Other |
| Model Number | 5002C |
| Part Number | 5002C |
| Size | 100 ml |
Now, the next one on the list is the wax lube. Stealth Road Bike lube is a remarkably long-lasting, clean-running synthetic lubricant, and it’s our favorite of all other lubes we’ve tried so far. It comes highly recommended at such a low price. It is one of the best lubricants for bike chains.
It’s simple to apply, and it doesn’t take much time to coat your bike chain. But you’ll need to reapply the lube every 7-8 rides. The wax lubricant stays fluid and doesn’t need to be shaken before adding it to your chain. Just make sure it doesn’t freeze or permanently separate and be difficult to shake back into a solution.
3. Rock N Roll Gold
| Fabric Content | 100% NA |
| Condition | New |
| Size | 16-Ounce |
| Manufacturer Part Number | J-62218 |
| Color | Blank |
| Model | LU4505 |
| Brand | Rock N Roll |
| Assembled Product Weight | 1 Pounds |
| Assembled Product Dimensions (L x W x H) |
1.00 x 1.00 x 1.00 Inches
|
The next one on the list is the dry one. The company offers you three ranges of lubes. One is web lube, the other is dry lube and the last one is Gold which is not completely dry and not completely wet. It is one of the best chain lube road bikes.
The chain lube has a gel formulation that can easily penetrate the chain properly. This chain lube can be used both for off-road and on-road journeys. Though it can attract dirt it will keep the chain of your bike quiet. Other than this, the value that you will have to pay for the bike lube is quite affordable. With this chain lube, you are going to get new-looking drivetrains. The chain can lubricate and clean the chain simultaneously.
- Collects Less Dirt
- Makes the Chain Run Smoothly
- Smell is Awkward
- Mostly Out of Stock
4. Finish Line Wet
| Brand | Finish Line |
| Liquid Volume | 8 Fluid Ounces |
| Item Weight | 0.51 Pounds |
| Manufacturer |
Finish Line Technologies, Inc.
|
| Color |
8 oz Squeeze Bottle
|
| Outer Material | Aluminum |
| Size | 8 oz. |
If you are going to ride in wet weather, this is the next wet lube that you can use. This is one of our go-to lube and it has been there for a long time. It has a syrupy nature that can attract a lot of dirt and gunks. It is one of the best chain lube for road bikes.
Other than this, you need a paper towel to clean or change the flat. What we like about this chain lube is the durability it provides. You can also use lube even if you are going for a long distance. Moreover, we will recommend you use the lube only if you are going to ride in extreme conditions, and also, you can use it to provide your drivetrain great level of smoothness. The lube also provides rust protection that can increase the life of your bike chains.
- Affordable Price
- Best for Extreme Conditions
- Provides Durability to the Chain
- Attracts Some Amount of Dirt
- Can be Messy to Apply
5. Molten Speed Wax
| Product Dimensions |
8.5 x 5.5 x 2 inches
|
| Item Weight | 15.5 ounces |
| Manufacturer |
Molten Speed Wax
|
| ASIN | B00KXQS6YI |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
This is another best bike chain lube that we will suggest you use. This chain lube is wax-based and for the great efficiency of the drivetrain, you can consider using it. The chain lube is dust resistant as it is a sticky liquid, so there is no surface on which the dirt can attract.
Other than this, it helps in the smooth functioning of the drivetrain and chain. It will reduce friction and no metal grinding will take place with this lube. Moreover, we love lube because of the quantity. You can use a single pack for 8 chains and you will need a crockpot so that you can melt the wax. On an overall basis, this is one of the best wax-based lubricants that you can use on your bike chains.
- Reduce Friction to a Much Extent
- Bike Chain will not be Contaminated Easily
- Awkward Smell
- Demands Preparing the Chain More
6. Muc Off C3 Ceramic Dry Lube
| Manufacturer | Muc-Off |
| Brand | Muc Off |
| Model |
Muc-Off C3 Ceramic Dry Lube
|
| Item Weight | 2.39 ounces |
| Product Dimensions |
17.91 x 13.39 x 10.43 inches
|
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| Item model number | 871 |
| Batteries |
2 CR2 batteries are required.
|
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 871 |
The last one on the list is ceramic lube. This is a premium ceramic lube that will create a ceramic coating on your chain to attain maximum performance of the chain. The chain lube helps to reduce the friction and you can also reduce energy consumption so that the gears or the drivetrain can work with full efficiency.
Other than this, this best bike chain lube contains a UV light tracer that can help you to check it even in the sunlight and you can apply it properly to attain the maximum coverage. You can use the lube for all kinds of bikes and you can use it for dry weather. It is most suitable for the same. It is the best chain lube mtb.
- It has a UV Light Tracer
- Best to Use in Dry Weather
- Strong Smell
- Costlier than the Other Lubes
FAQ’s
1. Is it fine to use engine oil as the chain lube?
We will not recommend you to use engine oil as the chain lube because it will be difficult for the oil to get into the o and X rings of the chain. Other than this, the oil will not last for a long time on the chain and it can reduce the life of the bike chain. You only have to buy bike chain oil to avoid any mishap.
2. Why should I use dry lube?
We will suggest you use dry lube if you want more lubrication and protection from corrosion. Other than this, you can use dry lube because it can reduce friction, and wear. It can increase the life of your bike chain.
3. Can I use wax rather than lube?
Whether you use bike chain oil or wax lube, depends on your needs. Wet lube is more resistant to water but it can attract a lot of junk and if you use grease-based lube, it can be water-resistant but it will attract a more amount of gunk. Lastly, if you use wax lube, it can attract less amount of gunk but you can easily wash it. So, understand how you can deal with these situations before buying one.
4. Can I use WD40 on my bike’s chain?
We will never suggest you use the WD40 on your bike’s chain because it is not a true lubricant and you can use it for rust dissolving.
The Bottom Line
It is up to you which type of chain lube you want to use. You can also use both of them. If you want clean chains and you want to ride the bike in dry conditions, you must go for dry lubes. Otherwise, for longevity, and reasonable value you can use wet lube. You can use them at any time of the year.
It all depends on you how much effort and time you put in to take care of your bike. But it is important to keep it lubricated. Make time for your bike and take care of it. Choose from the options that we have provided you. It will help you to lubricate your bike and that too at low prices.
