The bike market is brimming with maintenance products these days; there’s a variety of greases, chain lubes, cleaners, compounds, and more for nearly every component out there.
But that wasn’t always the case. As mountain biking rose in popularity in the 80’s, Hank Krause—who is a tribologist, a scientist who specializes in friction, lubrication, and wear—jumped on the bandwagon. It was a time of rapid innovation, yet Krause noticed there was one area of technology that was sorely lacking for the new sport: effective, high-performing chain lubricants.
“Many people were using motor oil, some were using cooking oil, some were using hot-wax dipping,” Krause told Bicycling.
There weren’t any lubricants designed specifically for bicycles, he pointed out, and most of the products were from the hardware industry. The lubricants in use at the time were especially poorly suited for mountain bikes. “They’d leave a wet, sticky kind of film that would become a magnet for contaminants, dirt, and grime,” Krause said.
So, alongside a team of other tribologists, using some of the knowledge he’d gained from working at Mobil, Krause went on to found the company Finish Line in 1988, with dry bike chain lube as its very first product.
We chatted with Krause to learn more about dry chain lube—what it is exactly, how to use it, and when to use it.
What is dry bike chain lube?
First of all, a dry lubricant from the industrial industry is vastly different and should not be used for the same application in bike care. “There are dry lubricants that are 100 percent solids,” Krause explained.
On the other hand, dry bike chain lubricants contain a small amount of oil, additives that let it dry and set up with a “wax-like film,” other additives to help prevent corrosion, and a solid to help with lubrication. These solids are usually a mix of PTFE (like Teflon), synthetic ceramic (like Boron Nitride), molybdenum, or graphite. They reduce friction between the chain’s metal surfaces by acting as a boundary. Teflon has typically been used, but Krause said that his company is moving towards focusing more on ceramics, specifically Boron Nitride, because it’s proving to be even more effective. (Similarly, you’ll find synthetic ceramics widely used in cookware, coatings on cars, and more.)
Ranging from the driest-of-the-dry to “wet,” Krause said that chain lubes generally go in the following order:
Wax → Dry → Wet
Krause pointed out that this can vary by brand. His company differentiates between dry lube and wax lube, while some companies market wax lube as dry lube. Krause says that a true wax lube will be oil-free. So, technically, a true wax chain lube would be the driest option. “There are wax lubricants in the bike industry that are not that dry. There’s no regulation around that,” he said.
According to Krause, “dry film” lubricants are the driest—though not for chain use—because they only use solid lubricating powders; Finish Line’s Pedal and Cleat Lubricant is a good example. At the other end of the spectrum is grease, which Krause says is simply oil that’s been thickened in order to help it stay in place.
Should I use dry chain lube?
The short answer: probably. For mountain bikers and other off-road cyclists, it’s a great choice. Riding in dusty, gritty conditions is why it was created in the first place, and it can handle slightly wet conditions. Most cyclists would benefit from using dry bike chain lube as their go-to, according to Krause. He sees it used in all disciplines.
“The concern about dirty, greasy chains is universal. It is arguably one of the last remaining somewhat negatives about riding a bike,” Krause said. “So if you’re a commuter, if you’re a gravel rider, if you’re a Saturday morning road club cyclist, it’s just a really good choice.”
But there are situations where wet chain lube is undoubtedly the better choice. For one, it’s far superior in really wet riding conditions—Krause likens it to putting a raincoat on your chain. Plus, it lasts longer than dry lube, making it suitable for bike tourers and pro cyclists alike, who take on long rides of 100 miles or more. He also said that most pro road cyclists prefer using wet chain lube because it’s quieter and smoother.
“If you’re in extreme wet weather, you’re doing stream crossings, you’re going for a 100K road ride and it’s raining, or you’re really stressing your drivetrain because you’re a pro cyclist, then wet lube starts to be a better choice,” Krause said.
The downside is that wet chain lube does easily attract grime. But as Krause pointed out, many pro cyclists have their bikes cleaned daily by their team mechanic during race season and don’t often have to personally deal with the hassles of a greasy chain.
At the other extreme, Krause said, is the cyclist who wants total cleanliness and doesn’t mind frequently reapplying. They should use a wax lube, which is oil-free and dry to the touch.
“It’s like a hot [wax] dipping of your chain. Dirt will not stick to the chain and will not be absorbed,” he said. The downside is that wax chain lube does not perform well in wet weather and should be reapplied every 50 to 100 miles.
How long does chain lube last?
Krause recommends reapplying any chain lube often—it’s an easy and affordable way to prolong the life of your drivetrain. “A lot of the wear on your chain and chainring happens before you hear it,” he said.
Dry chain lube typically has a lifespan of up to 100 miles. Wax chain lube should be reapplied every 50 to 100 miles. Wet chain lube can last well over 100 miles, and Finish Line’s Ceramic Wet Chain Lube can reportedly last even longer with a limit of 175 miles.
How to use dry bike chain lube
Krause said there are advantages to routinely degreasing and cleaning your chain and drivetrain. At the same time, you risk degreaser being left in hard-to-reach spots, like the internal bushings of your chain. To help offset that, here’s how to apply chain lube, according to Krause:
Apply a steady stream of chain lube to the chain as you rotate it slowly in reverse two to three revolutions. The goal here is to fully saturate the chain with chain lube. Wait 60 seconds or so, backpedaling the chain to distribute the lube. Then, continue to backpedal and use a rag to lightly remove any excess lube.
As for how long it takes dry lube to fully dry after application, Krause said it depends on the ambient temperature and humidity, so you might not want to apply it immediately prior to riding. It could take anywhere from minutes to up to half an hour.
Lastly, dry bike chain lube can help you care for your bike beyond the chain. Krause said it can also be used on derailleurs, cables, shifters, and brake pivot points.