The cost and expense of the mountain bike and its entire gear are well known; hence preserving them in the best condition possible is the only way to stop spending more money on them in the future. The most important and expensive part of mountain biking gear is the bike itself, and the most important part of the bike that needs maintenance is the bike chain.
The chain, cassette and the drivetrain are the most expensive parts to replace and they are the reason why your bike may seem to not run smooth or fast enough. Hence taking great care of them is the only way to ensure bike performance as well as parts’ durability.
One way to take care of them is to keep them clean, as you know that when dirt or any particles come in between the chain they increase the friction and lead to wear and tear of the chain and hence decrease its life. To keep it clean you need to wash it regularly or when it starts to look filthy.
After cleaning comes to the lubricant, use some sort of lubricant on the chain to increase its life and to give a smooth running bike, not only will your speed increase but most of the energy or power input will directly turn into speed and least will work against friction.
Lubricants are of many types and hence the market is full of products from different brands, which only add up to confusion. The last thing is to experiment with chain lubes and waste your time or worst is to get the chain damaged.
Yes, the wrong type of lube can damage your chain too. So here we have come up with some of the best chains lubes in the market and reviewed them with pros and cons so that you can make a decision on the best one you want to go for.
We have also mentioned a buyer’s guide with recommendations that will help you out and covered some frequently asked question (FAQs) in the end so be sure to read till the end.
Best Chain Lubes for Mountain Bikes (Reviews)
Top 10 Chain Lubes for Mountain Bikes Reviewed with Buyer’s Guide
#1. Rock N Roll Gold Lube
The Rock N Roll Gold lube is one of the latest technology lube in the market; it comes from another generation of lubes as it is a synthetic lube. This synthetic lube consists of a suspended gel membrane that serves as a lubricant and works way better than any other traditional lube. It is smooth and efficient.
This lube seeps deep into the chain and remains there and keeps the parts moving crisply and work efficiently for as long as possible. This lube also claims to be a cleaning agent as well as a lubricant. Even though this claim hasn’t been tested it is a good practice to clean your chain before lubrication it.
It is easy to use all you need to do is drip the lube on the parts and let it sink in. The excess will evaporate automatically after some time. Nest you need to wipe the chain to remove any excess and to distribute it evenly. It is best to apply it at night and leave it overnight to dry and use the next day.
There is no need to re-lube it daily unless you hear any squeaking or feel any friction. Once you are done lubing and wiping you should see your chain sparkling as good as new. Hence this lube is more effective than most others due to the fact that it keeps the chain clean and reduces chances of friction as well as corrosion.
It can be used all around the year in any season. All you need to make sure is that the chain remains clean and free of dirt, once you see any dirt you need to clean and re-lube. It comes in 16 oz which is a lot of quantity and will last really long; hence the expense of the lube can be neglected on its amazing performance and quantity.
Rock N Roll Gold Lube
Pros
- Synthetic lube uses suspended gel membrane
- Smooth and efficient
- 16 oz quantity
- All round year use
- Has cleansing properties
Cons
- Pricey
#2. Muc off Hydrodynamic Bike Chain Lube
Muc off has made a name in the market of lubes and all of its products work amazingly well. It is not only the best brand but is also loved by customers and its products rank as some of the best lubes in the market. It has covered everything from dry, wet, ceramic, wax, etc.
The hydrodynamic lube is the best of the Muc off lubes hence mentioned on top of our list. It makes your chain durable and long-lasting. It is an all-rounder and can be used in all seasons. It makes the chain silent and keeps it clean throughout.
It has a blueberry scent to give a pleasant odour. It also uses a UV detection dye for maximum coverage. Hence the blue colour of the lube and the UV detection dye makes sure that you have lubed all parts of the chain properly. The UV torch that comes with the lube can be used to see that.
The hydrophobic property makes it to repel water and hence it can be used in rain and puddles and it may still stay clean. It is a good practice to degrease the chain every time you re-lube it.
Muc off Hydrodynamic Bike Chain Lube
Pros
- Can be used all round the year
- Comes with UV torch and UV detection dye
- Blueberry scent
- Effective in increasing the chain life time
Cons
- Price doesn’t seem to go with the quantity
#3. Finish Line Wet Bicycle Chain Lube
Finish line lubricants are also a name in the market and they seem to be doing really well, they are in comparison with the Muc off lubes but they win when it comes to money, they seem to give more quantity for less price. They also offer a wide variety of lubes from wet, dry, wax to ceramic and others.
This particular Finish line lube is a wet lube and can be used in extreme weather conditions and is water repellant. Its formula consists of the high viscosity synthetic oil, water repellant polymers, anti-wear additives and friction modifiers. This formula makes it the strongest, long-lasting, water-resistant lubricant.
One advantage of the wet lube is that it has more quantity of lubricant in it and hence works much better than the normal dry lubes. A drawback of wet lubes is that it requires heavy cleansing before use and in between each use. Also, the wet lubricants may be water-repellant but they are dirt magnets and they need more cleaning all together than the dry lubes hence you need to apply the optimum quantity if you want to save your time on cleaning them.
The anti-wear agents in this lube make the chain last longer than usual and give it all-weather usage. Another great advantage of this lube is that it is a corrosion-resistant lube hence in rains and puddles it can be used and still have your chain shining and rust-free. This formula is also 100% synthetic and that is why it works better.
It has superior lubrication properties when compared to other natural lubes. The formula claims to be temperature resistant and long-lasting. It makes the chain noiseless, fast and smooth and hence gives high mileage with a single-use.
Muc off Hydrodynamic Bike Chain Lube
Pros
- Synthetic formula
- Water-resistant and anti-wear formula
- Corrosion-resistant
- Can be used in all types of weather
- Temperature resistant
Cons
- Apply the minimum layer possible otherwise it will attract dirt
#4. ProGold Extreme Chain Lube
Unlike most of the lubes ProGold Extreme does fit into the category of a wet or a dry lube as it is both. It doesn’t have the formula that evaporates the entire solvent and your money with it and makes the chain dry in no time nor does it have the extremely thick viscous formula that increases friction and collects dirt.
It comes with a more persistent carrier and it has a thin-bodied formula for the long-lasting and durable chain. It also claims to be used all around the year and it is loved by most of its customers.
The carriers in the formula make the lube to stick to the chain in all sorts of weather and hence give the chain corrosion resistance. It improves the drive train performance and stability and prevents premature wear.
It also claims to have cleaning properties too though it can’t be said for sure and you will need to clean the chain anyhow before lubing it.
ProGold Extreme Chain Lube
Pros
- Wet and dry formula
- Thin bodied lube
- Corrosion and water-resistant
- Claims to have cleaning properties
- Prevents premature wear of the chain
Cons
- Just another typical lube with extended claims
#5. Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube 4oz
The success of the traditional wax-based lubricants cannot be denied. They are simply the best and have more advantages than drawbacks. Here is a wax-based lubricant that is the Squirt long-lasting dry lube. It is extremely long-lasting and also increases the life of drivetrain.
It can be used for all types of bike and in all sorts of weather conditions. It does not attract dirt and dust like the wet lubes and it is not vicious at all hence there is a major decrease in friction and smooth running of the bike. It does not dry up too soon making the chain noisy again like the dry lube. Hence it has the best of both the lobes.
The only drawback which I wouldn’t call a drawback is that it needs to be applied overnight so that it gets an ample amount of time to set on the chain. You just need to make sure that it is set properly before you go on that trail.
The best part of the wax lube is that it is not oily or greasy at all and hence it saves a lot of mess. Also, it does not need frequent reapplications, one time application runs a lot of miles. Since wax is naturally water repellent and once set it is dry it prevents rust and does not wear off at all. You can ride by the beach or in the puddles without any fear.
Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube 4oz
Pros
- Wax-based lube
- Weather and water-resistant
- Corrosion-resistant
- One time application lasts long
- Non-oily, non-greasy formula
- Prevents wear and tear and minimizes friction to zero
Cons
- It needs to be applied overnight and takes time to set
#6. Park Tool CL-1
Park tool is also the kind of lube that can be called as both dry and wet lube and also works in both dry and wet conditions. It is formula contains a proprietary blend of oils and PTFE that is Teflon that increases the life of drive train and chain and also makes it frictionless and smooth.
It is multi-purpose lube as it works for all things from brakes, chain, cables to spokes, nipples and derailleur. It has better penetration properties and hence it is easy to use and apply. It gives you bike chain the sparkly finish that gives a noiseless run for miles.
It also protects from moisture and corrosion and thus can be used in all weather conditions. It is compatible with all bicycle chains and bike chains as well as it works as a general light lubricant for any other part.
The Park Tool brand was established in 1963 and since then it has come up with the best tools and now they have a range of more than 500 tools. Thus their chain lube is the product of age-old experience and expertise in the industry. Therefore I am sure it will not fail you in any way. It is budget-friendly.
Park Tool CL-1
Pros
- Dry and wet lube
- Multi-purpose light lubricant
- Trusted old brand
- Budget-friendly
- Keeps moisture and rust away
- High penetration easy to use
Cons
- Bottle applicator is not good
#7. Muc Off Wet Lube (50ml)
Wet lube is more successful than a dry one and less successful than a wax lube, nevertheless, it’s the matter of use if you are more comfortable with wet lubes then the best one is here the Muc off wet lube. It has high penetration and hence gets coated to the remote parts evenly as compared of the wax lubes that are hard to reach in-between spaces.
The formula does reduce friction but if a lot is applied then it attracts dust and dirt that further increases the friction hence be careful in using the appropriate quantity and if the excess is applied then wipe it off.
It is ideal for use in wet weather conditions and will save the bike chain form water as well as mud and other particles. The Muc off formula claims to be fully biodegradable and hence it is eco friendly to use and this quality should make it far superior to other brands formula.
It is suitable for all types of bikes and bicycles and all parts of appliances like shifters, pedals, cleats, cables, derailleur, etc. the applicator is pipette like to improve the application process and for precise and easy use. It saves you from creating a lot of greasy mess.
Before using any line of wet lube you have to be sure to degrease and clean the drive chain for better application and durability.
Muc Off Wet Lube (50ml)
Pros
- Wet lube formula can be used in wet conditions
- Multi-purpose product
- Pipette applicator
- Budget-friendly
- Decreased friction and smooth running
- 100% Biodegradable
Cons
- Over application leads to dirt collection
#8. Fenwick’s Unisex’s Chain Lubricant
The Fenwick chain lube uses a synthetic formula that has proved to be better than any natural mixture, it reduced friction to bare minimum and gives the bike a smooth running for miles. It need not be re-lubed often as the formula is long-lasting thus the maintenance period is increased. By minimizing friction it makes the chain long-lasting and durable.
Fenwick claims to use environment-friendly formula, as they have worked for more than 2 decades to achieve this we can totally appreciate their effort and trust them on this. It gives excellent protection from corrosion and hence wear and tear.
This means that your drivetrain will last longer than its average lifespan. It also makes the chain quieter. The lube is designed for use in wet weather hence you can freely take your bike on the lakeside and in the puddles. It is budget-friendly.
Fenwick's Unisex's Chain Lubricant
Pros
- Synthetic formula
- Environment friendly
- Budget friendly
- 100% Biodegradable
Cons
- Not as better as the fancier lubes
#9. WPL ForkBoost
WPL Forkboost is a biodegradable environment-friendly lubricant that has zero hazards and is non-flammable. It is made up of a non-toxic formula that is PTFE free and other synthetic ingredients free.
It is USDA certified 100% bio-based product. In addition to that, it also budget-friendly. It also claims to be a cleansing agent but still, it is recommended to clean the drive train before using any lube.
After one use of the lube, you will see the shine in the chain as good as new. It removes dirt and also eliminates friction caused by it. It comes in a squeeze bottle that is easy to use. It can be used on all parts of the bike and one wipe will make leave them gleaming. It can be applied externally to dust seals and it lengthens their lifetime.
It works basically like cheap insurance for the expensive mountain bikes and hence it is recommended for those who are looking for a typical but eco-friendly lube at a lower price point. It does not have any exaggerated claims and is true to its words. If you service, clean and lube your bike regularly then it will definitely give you better performance and durability.
WPL ForkBoost
Pros
- Biodegradable non-toxic and environment friendly
- Non-PTFE formulation
- Cleansing agent and dust seal treatment
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Cannot be used in all weathers
#10. Tri-Flow TFC20027
One of the best lubes in the market that prevents not only metal to metal friction and corrosion but also it is formulated to clean and shine the chain. It removes dirt like no other product and makes the chain effortlessly smooth and drives all the power into speed with little or no wastage to fight friction.
The viscosity of the formula is light and easy to penetrate into the deepest spaces and hence cleans where you can’t reach. It is also waterproof meaning that you can use this all round the year and in rain or snow as well as in any place near the mushy lakes to the dry and arid mountains.
Its high-grade petroleum oil can work under high pressures up to 3000 pounds and temperature ranges from -60 to 475 degree Fahrenheit.
It is a multipurpose lubricant and it is extremely cost-efficient. It can be used for bikes, motorcycles, bicycles, automobiles, dirt bikes to fishing reels, skateboards, rollerblades, tools and firearms.
It contains Teflon hence that makes the formula light and penetrable. It makes the drivetrain smooth, clean, frictionless and durable. It prevents moisture from reaching the chain.
Tri-Flow TFC20027
Pros
- Doubles up as a cleansing agent
- Multipurpose lubricant
- Cost-effective
- Can bear high pressures
- Works in the lowest to the highest temperature
- Lightweight and penetrable formula
- Can be used all around the year
Cons
- Applicator gets clogged
Things to Consider Before Buying Best Chain Lubes for Mountain Bikes
Wet or Dry lube:
The difference between the wet and dry lube is huge, most of the bikers prefer to use wet lubes. Dry lubes are meant to be used in dry weather and they dry out faster when you apply because they have a solvent that evaporates when it comes out of the tube in contact with air. And hence buying these lubes is like basically paying for the volatile solvent.
Also, it does not act for a long time without re-lubing. But one advantage of this lube is that they do not attract dust or dirt. As for the wet lubes the only drawback is that they are dirt magnets if applied overly, but apart from that they can be used in all weather conditions and they keep your chain lubricated for a long time.
They prevent corrosion and wear and tear. They need to be applied only after degreasing or cleaning the chain thoroughly. The best-wet lube in the list is the Finish line wet bicycle chain lube.
Wax or ceramic lube:
Ceramic lubes have come into the market quite recently and they claim to decrease friction by addition of minute ceramic particles. They are really expensive and to be honest, there is not much data about ceramic lubes to say that it works as it claims hence we have kept our list out of this doubtful lube but if you want to experiment you can go ahead.
The wax lubes are age-old formulations that work the best. They are not dirt magnets like the wet lube and they dry off easily with a generous coating of wax on the chain hence making the chain smooth, rustproof and waterproof.
They can be used in all types of weather. The only drawback of these lubes is that they need to be reapplied after 50 to 100 miles. The best wax lube in the list is the Squirt long-lasting dry lube.
Necessity of lube
Bike chain and drivetrain are most prone to dirt and dust as they are set so low, even though there are mudguards they can’t protect them enough and eventually you will end up with particles in the chain that will cause more friction and lead to wear and tear.
Thus the lifespan of the chain decreases and it will become noisy. It will also consume more power and energy to drive the bike than usual, and eventually, it breaks down.
If you want to [prevent all of the above from happening then all you need to do is invest a few bucks on a good quality lubricant for your drivetrain and chain. These few bucks are a saviour of your expensive mountain bike and also will give you a smooth running rust-free drive train.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have mentioned the necessity of lubes in the above section and hence we have recommended some of the best lubes, now all you need to do is get shopping and save your bike from more harm.