First of all, it makes sense to use a chain cleaner spray and a special chain cleaning brush to clean your motorcycle’s chain before you lube it. Wet Lubricants: These lubricants will stay liquid after application. Their oily consistency is particularly waterproof and is good for rainy weather. However they tend to attract debris, like dirt, so they aren’t suitable for off-roading, especially in dry conditions. This can be done by cleaning the entire drivetrain with a degreaser before applying the wax lube. To apply wax lube when the chain is wet, simply put a small amount on each link and then rotate the pedals until all of the links are coated with wax (it’s okay if there’s still some liquid residue). Wipe off any excess with a clean rag before riding. Finding the best bike chain lube for the riding you do can be daunting. There are so many bike lube options now that you can reach the breaking point just from searching for it. With options ranging from dry, wet, ceramic and wax - it's hard to tell what will help you excel in your areas riding conditions and what can make it worse. That's why here to help because the lube that you choose truly can make the difference between a squeaking chain or a smooth shift til the end of each ride. Follow along as we roll smoothly through the best bike lubes on the market. Wax-based lubes got their start in the bicycle industry, and they’re still one of the best choices for bike chains. That’s because they resist water wash-off better than other types of lubricants, making them ideal for wet weather riding. Wax lubes also tend to last longer on the chain than other types of lubricants, so you don’t have to reapply as often.

This frequency will vary depending on how often you ride, and what kind of conditions you’re riding in. If you live in a wet climate or do a lot of off-road riding, you may need to wax more often. While lubing your chain does require more maintenance than using wax (you’ll need to reapply it every few rides), it’s worth it if you want a squeaky-clean drivetrain. Just be sure to use quality lube – cheap options can actually damage your chain over time! Bike Chain Wax Vs Lube “/> Not only will it resist contaminants, but with Teflon and moly, this chain wax-based formula will also resist water in rainy conditions. One commenter wrote that it “lasts long enough even after getting wet.” It also adds a sort of chain guard by preventing wear, chain stretching, and corrosion.

One of the issues with a chain wax is fling. You wax up your chain, go for a ride and when you come home, the underside of your pillion seat looks like a plasterer’s radio – chain wax splattered everywhere. Once the chain links have been broken in, the chain can be re-installed on your bike. After 10 minutes of easy riding, your chain will be buttery smooth. Simon Bromley / Immediate Media Step 4 – Re-wax every 300-400km or after a wet ride Use a cleaner designed for O-ring chains, or simply paraffin (kerosene in the US). Be careful with stiff-bristled brushes as they could damage the O-ring, and don’t use a jet-wash to blast away the grime – it’ll push past those seals and blow the factory grease out of the rivets.

With 55 lubes reviewed, including gear oil and chainsaw oil, we’ve also employed the services of a leading lubrication testing lab to ensure this is the most detailed and trust-worthy test you’ll ever see… On top of it maintaining the chain’s lubrication for miles on end, it also ensures the best protection through all conditions, no matter if off or on-road. This is thanks to the rust, corrosion, and wear-resistant formula. At its most basic, waxing a bicycle chain can be pared down into four simple steps. The devil is in the details, though, so keep reading for an in-depth guide to waxing your chain.Best used in the dry, spring and summer conditions when you have less chance of moisture or water hitting the drive train. In general, dry lubes are much cleaner to use and attract less particulate build-up even with repeated applications. This makes them much better in dry or dusty conditions, especially off-road or on gravel. The downside is they don't last very long and water washes the lube away. A customer attested to its durability and longevity when they wrote, “It is also weather resistant and doesn't come off after a shower and some fast riding.” Another reviewer found that it “coats the chain very well, not clumping or running off.” We wouldn’t recommend it – it’ll attract way too much road crud which will work its way into your chain and prematurely wear it out. According to Molten Speed Wax, the temperature of the wax should not exceed 93 degrees celsius / 200 degree fahrenheit, both for safety and performance reasons. For those of you who use modern chains like O-Ring or X-ring chains, there is no reason to lube your motorcycle chain except to stop rust. The best lubricant you can use is a wax-based lubricant, we have tested the top three chain wax lubricants and here are our results.