If you're happy to apply the lube regularly, it just about passes muster as an year-round lube, too. Just don't expect to go huge mileages between applications. Even Finish Line itself only claims the lube lasts "up to 100 miles". Big brands are typically a good place to put your money, and these companies pay lots of money to professional cyclists to advertise their goods. If you prefer to keep your bike in pristine condition and are happy regularly cleaning and servicing your bike, a dry lube might be the right choice. Because it doesn’t attract grit and dirt like a wet lube, you can simply add a new application of dry lube to keep the drivetrain running sweetly.

It worked and was durable. But many cyclists on the road racing scene took to waxing chains in a frying pan. Secret formulas mixed in the kitchen often led to chains being dipped in bespoke waxy lubricants overnight.Having said that, chain cleaning is a lousy job, so I now use the insitu hot waxing described above. But what do you need to look out for when shopping for cycling gear? What are the best brands? What kit is really necessary? Do you really need it? Whichever lube you prefer to use, for the best results Trimnell suggests that you leave the lube on the chain overnight before riding for maximum benefit. From a cost/benefit viewpoint, there's no point spending more on hi-tec unguents than you're saving on drivetrain wear. Sometimes we aren’t always able to store a bike in a warm, safe place. People living in shared accommodation, student housing, flats or other types of arrangements may not be allowed to keep their bicycle in communal areas (where space is usually the biggest).

Ice Wax 2.0 from Pedro's is a chain lubricant that aims to reduce the time you spend cleaning your chain, by doing it for you in part. A lube for dry conditions, it's perfect for summer riding. Wet lubes are used in all weather conditions but really come to the fore when riding in autumn and winter as they are water resistant so won’t get washed off riding through puddles or in a rainstorm. No matter what type of bike product your buying, from the simple accessories through to the full setup of your custom built road bike, there are lots of important considerations that you should take into account, especially when you’re shopping online and unable to test the product first. This is especially true when you’re buying products like Lubes Cleaning. On review, we found that our chain remained rust-free after our 'garden hose test' that we used to replicate wet weather. A ride in the rain followed and the chain again showed no signs of rust or stiff links. We also liked that, unlike some wet lubes, Green Oil didn't attract too much dirt and grime that can really wear the drivetrain. For riders seeking a really clean, long-lasting lubricant, Stealth should be high on the list. VerdictHowever, for the habitually lazy or fair-weather cyclist, a dry lube is going to be the preferred option. Aerodynamic, or wind drag, is the biggest obstacle to going fast. Friction in the drivetrain also contributes to overall drag but a modern drivetrain is in the region of 90-98% efficient, depending on the condition of the chain and several other factors.