Chain lube…….Yes, that old chestnut.

I’m after recommendations for winter chain lube, please.

For dry conditions and summer I’ve been using ProLink Gold for years, it’s very thin, goes a long way, also perfect for cables. But it just washes off in winter filth. Plus it’s not available in the UK anymore so the little bit I’ve got is now just for cables.

Years ago I tried Finishline Wet and the Dry. The wet just attracted dirt like a Labrador is attracted to muddy ponds. The dry went everywhere when applied, solidified, then flaked off leaving a dry, unlubed chain.

So what is the go to now?

White Lightning wet goes on nicely, your chain does get black but a quick wipe with a rag when you get back sorts it out. Excellent lubrication and excellent corrosion resistance – tested by me in the Peak District and on the beach!

Well, I started a thread on this very topic about a month ago…

I was pointed in the direction of Peaty’s All Weather.

I have to say that initial impressions are very good. Minimal cack build-up so far, seems to stay put whilst needed. It’s not been properly tested yet in real filth or snow etc. Although that looks set to change.

It seems about right to me in terms of stickiness. I’ve become convinced that Muc Off and Finishline Wet lubes are basically for people that leave chains muddy – too sticky for anyone who is vaguely conscientious.

You’ll get lots of personal recommendations but I’ve long been a fan of Purple Extreme.

https://www.18bikes.co.uk/bike-medicine-purple-extreme-chain-lube-120ml.html

@fenderextender – I’ve been using Peatys All Weather on my gravel bike for about 18 months as a bit of an experiment. The bottle is almost empty now, after about 2,500km. Chain wear, cleanliness and longevity of application have all been fine/good.

I’ve been using this for years on and off road. I struggle to get all religious about it as it seems to just work. I just wish I’d paid more attention to the serving size before buying it 🙂

What do you want from a chain lube? Does drivetrain wear rate factor into your consideration?

Zero Friction Cycling is a fantastic resource and the only place I can think of where you can see a multitude of lubes tested in a repeatable way and compared.

But it just washes off in winter filth.

News-flash: they all do to a greater or lesser extent, even the fundamentalists of the waxing brigade can’t escape this truth. You just need to find a lube (and re-lubing regime) that you’ll stick to, I generally do a 30-100km ride week, and I can get all I need from Juice Lubes Viking. I’m not promoting it,  needs me to make sure I’m not applying it just before I ride, as it will just wash off directly, so you need to stay on top of it, and for the size of the dropper, it’s expensive (in comparison to other forms of lube) but it’s convenient, it builds up over time, and it does everything I need it to.

Zero Friction Cycling is a fantastic resource

He lives in Aus, and thinks that a dirty ride is one that involves back-country roads. If he saw what most of us here in the UK have to deal with each winter (especially those of us who ride off-road) given what he thinks is a dirty ride, I honestly think he’d have a coronary.

Bottom line, riding a bike off road with a chain in winter in the UK involves re-lubing your chain after most rides, even if that just running it through a rag to decontaminate it, or keep it from going rusty. Choose a lube that you’ll do that with, choose your own levels of embuggerance, cost,time, availability, and use it consistently. There are no rights or wrongs.

smoove is the only answer

but yes, if we are talking UK winter MTB then the chain is nothing but a muddy log after an outing, will require hosing and scrubbing most likely, and obviously a relube at this point

He lives in Aus, and thinks that a dirty ride is one that involves back-country roads. If he saw what most of us here in the UK have to deal with each winter (especially those of us who ride off-road) given what he thinks is a dirty ride, I honestly think he’d have a coronary.

Yes. But let’s not throw the baby put with the bath water. No one else is doing anything faintly similar and if you spend time looking at his methodology, there is still learning that’s relevant to UK usage.

the blue coloured peatys, not had a rusty chain and it appears cleaner than normal on the bikes i’ve used it on.

nice minty smell is a bonus.

Another vote for Purple Extreme here, it’s really really good stuff.

18 bikes have started importing/distributing it

Smoove or Squirt.

I have been using Squirt on the MTBs for years and never had a problem. Used summer and winter. Properly clean and degrease chain before first application and then apply as needed or after a proper chain clean. No mucky build up and good corrosion resistance.

When I bought my gravel bike in 2019 I bought a bottle of Smoove to see how it compared to Squirt and it is equally as good so have been using it ever since on that bike.

(I know using two different lubes on different bikes is a bit daft but that’s the regime I have got in to – OCD or what? 🙂 )

I’ve been impressed by Peatys all condition. Going to try the wet for winter on the mtb.

No one else is doing anything faintly similar

Oh sure, his technical analysis is pretty much the gold standard. But the inescapable truth of cycling through the winter in the UK is there is no single ‘right’ answer to this, as it involves too many variables, the terrain, your riding habits, your mechanical sympathy,  the quality and type of chain and gear system you use, your own tolerance for cleaning or faff, and your budget. Trying to nail all that down to “X product” is just like playing Top Trumps.

Usually squirt,or cold weather squirt. But if gets properly sustained manky/wet then squirt won’t cut it so then peatys all weather is pretty good. Somewhere in-between is the fenwicks pro which works as an decent all-rounder.

Rock n Roll blue – clean but lasts well.

If you want one lube, its a great compromise.

Nothing will run properly clean in winter – my mate just uses cheap 3 in 1 – his view is that being able to get the lube off when cleaning is important.

Its a view, but I’ve committed to the chain OCD treadmill.

I might have to change brans, Ive always used Finish Line, because thats pretty much all you used to be able to get.

May try Peatys

IMO winter and lube is not so much a lottery but very dependant on how and where you ride. ie You might need to re lube after 1 ride or you might be lucky and get 1 month. Cleaning the chain in winter is just as important as the lube IMO

I might have to change brans

Probably. Good for some movements, just maybe not the chain’s?

Rock n Roll blue has been my lube of choice for many years.

I agree it’s very clean but don’t agree that it lasts well! I apply it maybe once a week when it’s dry, and after every ride when it’s wet.

I used pro gold for years and liked how it can clean the chain as well, then tried Squirt, not really a fan so tried Peaty’s dry and premium all weather, I’m sticking with Peaty’s from now on.

putoline.  Despite what some non users say it lasts multiple rides even in filthy conditions tho peat soils will strip it quickest.

Simply dunk the chain in the molten wax for a few mins then wipe the outside when cool.

Thanks for the suggestions.

When I said Prolink Gold washes off, I mean it washes off during the first ride. I’m not expecting any miracles, I’d just like a lube that lasts a few hours. I don’t mind the maintenance aspect and I’m expecting to have to reapply following washing. I’d just like it to last longer than the first puddle.

I tried Peaty’s All weather during the summer and thought it made a right mess of the chain due to the amount of dust (yes dust) it attracted.  Certainly significantly worse than my preferred White Lightning Epic.

Maybe I’ll give it another go over the winter on the gravel bike.

We are indeed stocking Purple Extreme again, hoping we can get it back to where it was a good few years back – a shop fave and popular with lots of folks.  It’s hard to describe but think of it as going on like a dry lube, but with staying power more like a wet lube.  I use it all seasons and love that you don’t end up with the horrible goopy grinding paste of other wet/all season lubes.

It’s worth getting into the habit of lubing the chain well before your ride though, that gives the carrier enough time to evaporate off, leaving the important lube behind.  Post ride or cleaning, rather than just before you head out.  If you can, anyhow!

We’re after UK stockists too, so please mention to shops that you’re matey with.  We should have some samples out later this month to a few mags, bloggers, video folks and the likes.

Another vote for Juice Lubes, Viking Juice or Wet lube depending on if it’s wet-ish or wet wet.

Stihl Synthetic Sawchain Oil.

@18bikes – great news that you’ve taken it on. Availability was previously sporadic so I’d buy maybe 3 bottles when Wiggle actually had stock.

@scotroutes – we’d like to think so, yeah.  Spread the word eh?!

Another Viking Juice fan here. It needs regular re-application when it’s wet but it doesn’t seem to attract dirt.

i quite like the Muck-off wet lube for ebikes (but for all my bikes). its not thick and sticky – just a thin spray lube. seems to do the job

Prior to that i was on GT85!

evenything else was a bit sticky sludgy, made a right mess, crap. (i ride in ALL weathers)

Rock and roll blue for me. Applied after cleaning my chain, well before (at least a night) my next ride. Far less gunk build up than my previous favourite of ProGold Xtreme.

Recently changed to Silca Super Secret as it fits well with my habit of occasionally hot waxing. Penetrates really well into the chain and early indications are it lasts longer in the wet than Squirt or Smoove.