Time to list all your favourite chain lubes! I assume there will be quite a mix of wax and non-wax lube favourites, so depending on the answers will see if we could split this into two features, or just do everything in one.
As usual, the form to submit your answers is over here. Feel free to list a few, if you have different preferences for different conditions.
Iāve been testing the Silca Synergetic, and while I admit it keeps the chain lubed for long, itās also rather dirty by now. Maybe Iāve put too much of it?
To date Iāve used mostly Muc-Off Dry Lube. Itās not as thick, so it requires reapplying every 220-250 km, BUT it keeps the drivetrain clean, so you donāt have to wipe or clean it every time you reapply (even though itās always a good idea).
Muc-Off lubes are horrific for both efficiency and drivetrain wear. Of all the lines on the market, those are the last ones I would use.
synergetic is a great oil-based lube, but as you note, it gets really dirty. I have been using it on my travel bike for simplicity when on the road, but Iām about to just switch over to a drip wax on it.
I have no idea what wax I am using, canāt remember. I bought a pot and bag of wax from someone whoād never got round to doing it and itās lasted me about three years so far. Still on the same chain ā¦..
Non wax bikes are all off road. Pedroās for the fancy ones, finish line wet conditions xc lube for the single speeds.
Molten Speedwax w/ Silca Endurance. I just started using the Silca Endurance chip/ Molten Speedwax. As a test, I rode the first chain a bit over 500 miles w/no noise from the chain. I opted not to push it further, and honestly, Iāll prolly keep running the chains to around 400 miles before re-waxing, depending on the conditions of course. Iāve been using Molten Speedwax for 5 or 6 years. Iām chuffed with it. Itās got a reasonable price and it lasts long enough for me. If MSW suddenly went out of existence, Iād prolly move to Silca Secret. Other comparable waxes are significantly more expensive, IMHO.
Is this just for drip lube, and therefore excluding immersion wax?
Make sure to get some on the rotors too
Plain paraffin wax with a little factory grease for flavour.
Silca Super Secret wax drip lube. I probably do a full immersion 3-4 times a year, but otherwise, rely on SSS most of the time. I used it exclusively for a year before going full immersion when Silcaās immersion was system was launched.
If there were no other benefit to wax drip lube besides no greasy drivetrains, that alone would be enough for me to move away from oil-based lubes. (previous Rock & Roll Gold user).
Silca Super Secret hot wax. Most chains have the Endurance Chip added, but the race chain for the TT bike goes in a wax puck that has 2x Speed Chip.
This feels like the EC version of the old National Lampoon āIf you donāt buy this magazineā¦ā cover.
Super Secret drip for me as well.
Also trying Squirt on one bike and happy with the durability.
MSW user here.
Thereās no reason itās my āfavouriteā as I have not extensively trialled a range of lubricants to establish a preference, so to call it a favourite is misleading. Itās just what I use now and Iām happy with it.
PS please apply that above quote to any Escape Collective I contribute to.
At least you have the flip-up nozzle version.
Iāve also been using Synergetic. Itās very clean for a wet lube if wiped down post-ride, but not as clean as wax. I use very little and wipe any excess. Unfortunately, my garage is so humid during the Texas summers that Iāve had rust on the outer surfaces of my chain. Iām considering a switch to super secret drip wax in the future.
The bike that does the bulk of my hrs/week is a combo of Silca immersion wax and super secret drip for maintenance. Iāll only take the chain off if Iāve been caught out in bad weather
The āweekendā bike is immersion wax only until now, just because itās really only needed once a month
My ebike with nexus 7 IGH gets Silca synerg-e which has been great but also complete overkill
Silca super secret drip wax applied between immersion waxing with Silca as well.
I was using Squirt but found it created quite a bit of black gunk buildup on the jockey wheels and floor when training indoors.
Iāve only applied it once, albeit to 4 bikes at once, so itās quite possible that I applied a bit too much, all things considered. But I do admit that the chain has been running smoothly for much longer than my usual Muc-Off Dry.
Currently Slica super secret wax, a combination of the hot-melt with the Endurance chip and the drip between immersions. Previously used Squirt and Smoove drip waxes which worked ok but did have a lot of buildup(might have been using too much).
