It is essential to use the best mtb chain lube to to keep your chain running quietly and smoothly. A lubricated chain will move with less resistance and the lube will prevent dirt from building up. Dirt between the moving parts of a chain increases friction and wears down the chain faster. It will also grind away at the cassette, requiring both to be replaced sooner.
At The Adventure Junkies we want you to be able to properly maintain your bikes and enjoy riding them. We have written this guide to the best chain lubes to help you keep your pride and joy running smooth and maximize the life of your drivetrain components.
For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out the Best MTB Chains.
Quick Answer - The Best MTB Chain Lubes
- Finish Line Dry
- Boeshield T-9
- Muc-Off Dry
- Finish Line Wet
- Muc-Off Wet
- Pedro’s ChainJ
- Rock N Roll Gold
- Muc-Off Team Sky Hydrodynamic
- ProGold Xtreme
- Park Tool CL-1 Synthetic Blend
Comparison Table - Best Mountain Bike Chain Lube
For the best experience turn your device horizontally| Name | Best For | Price | Rating | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish Line Dry | Dry | $ | 4.5 | Read Review |
| Boeshield T-9 | Dry | $ | 4.8 | Read Review |
| Muc-Off Dry | Dry | $ | 4.9 | Read Review |
| Finish Line Wet | Wet | $ | 4.5 | Read Review |
| Muc-Off Wet | Wet | $ | 5.0 | Read Review |
| Pedro’s ChainJ | Wet | $ | 3.6 | Read Review |
| Rock N Roll Gold | Wet | $ | 4.5 | Read Review |
| Muc-Off Team Sky Hydrodynamic | Dry and Wet | $$$ | 4.5 | Read Review |
| ProGold Xtreme | Dry and Wet | $ | 4.1 | Read Review |
| Park Tool CL-1 Synthetic Blend | Dry and Wet | $ | 4.2 | Read Review |
| Name | Best For | Price | Rating | Review |
Reviews - The Best Chain Lubes for MTB
Finish Line Dry
Specs
- Best For: Dry
PROS: Mix of synthetic oils and teflon to create a wax like finish, long lasting for a dry lube
CONS: None
Boeshield T-9
Specs
- Best For: Dry
PROS: Long lasting
CONS: Needs two hours to dry
Muc-Off Dry
Specs
- Best For: Dry
PROS: Wax based, quiet and smooth shifting, biodegradable
CONS: None
Finish Line Wet
Specs
- Best For: Wet
PROS: Long lasting wet weather lubricant, repels water, resists salt
CONS: None
Muc-Off Wet
Specs
- Best For: Wet
PROS: Long lasting in wet conditions
CONS: None
Pedro’s ChainJ
Specs
- Best For: Wet
PROS: Made from renewable materials, biodegradeable
CONS: None
Rock N Roll Gold
Specs
- Best For: Wet
PROS: Cleans the chain when applied, long lasting, chains last longer
CONS: None
Muc-Off Team Sky Hydrodynamic
Specs
- Best For: Dry and Wet
PROS: The ultimate lube for all conditions, very impressive performance
CONS: Price
ProGold Xtreme
Specs
- Best For: Dry and Wet
PROS: Removes water, sticks strongly to the chain, will not attract dirt even in wet conditions
CONS: None
Park Tool CL-1 Synthetic Blend
Specs
- Best For: Dry and Wet
PROS: Removes water, sticks strongly to the chain, will not attract dirt even in wet conditions
CONS: None
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAIN LUBES
WET OR DRY LUBE
The choice between a wet or a dry lube comes down to the conditions that you will be riding in. A wet lube can be used in all conditions but is absolutely necessary for wet weather or winter riding.
A wet lube is water resistant so won’t be blasted off by rain or when you smash through puddles and streams. The lube remains wet on the chain and as a result dirt will stick to it.
Consequently, you will need to regularly clean the chain and drivetrain, otherwise the dirt will build up and wear the parts out faster. You should be able to get at least 100 miles of riding from one application of wet lube.
A dry lube should only be used when riding on dry trails. The lubricant in a dry lube is mixed with a solvent that dries on the chain, leaving only the lubricant behind. Dirt will not stick to it once it has dried. You will not have to clean the drivetrain as regularly but you will need to reapply the lube more often. You will be lucky to ride 80 miles before it has been completely removed.
WAX OR CERAMIC LUBE
Wax lubes are good at not attracting dirt but need reapplying for frequently. 50 miles of use is standard for a wax lube. Ceramic lube will last longer, even in wet conditions but tends to be more expensive.
ONLY LUBE A CLEAN AND DRY CHAIN
It does not help to dump a load of lube on top of old lube mixed with dirt. All you will get is even more dirty lube mixed with grit to wear away at your drivetrain. The minimum you should do to clean your bike after a ride is wipe off the chain with a cloth and degreaser before allowing it to dry and applying fresh lube.
After every several rides in summer and after every ride in winter it is recommended to thoroughly degrease the chain with a chain cleaning tool.
You can also use chain lube on other parts of your bike, as this article on bicycling.com explains.
READ MORE
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