SHOOTOUT
Chain lubes
Which one works best in summer conditions?
Peaty’s LinkLube Dry
£8.99 for 60ml
Peaty’s says this “readily biodegradable” lube is designed for “long rides in dry, dusty conditions”, and claims it will last up to 300km. The lube uses a blend of waxes suspended in a water-based emulsion and can, thankfully for changeable UK conditions, also be used in “mildly moist conditions”. The rounded applicator tip plus the light-blue dye makes it easy to ensure full coverage on the chain. It performs well and runs more quietly than the Muc Off option on test, but not as quietly as the Fenwicks and Silca lubes. It lasted for 250km on a dry road ride for me. If the weather turns foul while you’re out, reapply before your next ride.
Muc-Off C3 Dry Weather Ceramic Lube
£20 for 120ml
This biodegradable, petroleum-free formula is designed to excel over long distances in dry, dusty and damp conditions, with the ceramic coating and synthetic polymers reducing friction. It also contains a UV dye and torch so you can easily identify coverage on the chain. I’ve found it runs slightly quieter than the brand’s Bicycle Dry Weather Lube that I’ve also tried, and it doesn’t attract too much dirt. However, despite its claims to the contrary, this lube was by far the least durable on test: through two dry 60km gravel rides, the chain was definitely crying out for a top-up mid-way through the second ride.
Fenwick’s Professional Chain Lube
£15 for 100ml
On the road and trails, this is class-leading in both dry and wet conditions and would be suitable for all bikes, even in the winter. My drivetrain ran very quietly and it didn’t amass lots of dirt, even on gloopy gravel rides. This lube lasts and lasts, which makes it decent value, too. On an 850km bikepacking trip in Scotland where it rained every day, it was only in the last 200km where the chain needed a top-up but it wasn’t rasping. The lube does, however, have a very off-putting smell (it reminds me of cow manure!) when you apply it, so I didn’t hang around after applying it. The brand makes no claims about its environmental impact.
Silca Synergetic Wet Lube
£25 for 59ml
The brand claims this is the “fastest [thanks to having the least friction] and possibly quietest oil-based chain lube available”. Although it’s the priciest option on test by volume, you use very little of it on each application: in fact, Silca claims a bottle will last you up to 12,000 miles. The lube excelled in all conditions and offers very similar performance to the Fenwick’s. The chain was eerily quiet, even off-road, and I got around 600km on it on the road between applications so I’d argue it provides the best value here. It does take a little longer to apply than the others, though, and makes no environmental promises.