Bikerumor https://bikerumor.com/ All the best cycling news, tech, rumors and reviews Fri, 09 Feb 2024 21:13:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bikerumor-favicon-144-1-120x120.png Bikerumor https://bikerumor.com/ 32 32 190730048 Daysaver Multitools Get Even Better with Updated Essential8 & Coworking5 https://bikerumor.com/daysaver-updated-essential8-coworking5-multitool/ https://bikerumor.com/daysaver-updated-essential8-coworking5-multitool/#respond Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:57:11 +0000 https://bikerumor.com/?p=352415 Is there a lighter, more compact multi-tool with this many features?

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updated Daysaver essential8 coworking 5

The goal of creating the smallest and lightest bike multi-tool that still offers impressive usability is not one that Daysaver takes lightly. The Essential8 and Coworking5 were already impressive little tools, but now they’ve taken customer feedback to make them even better.

Improved Finish for Essential8

For the Essential8, the updates are mainly in the finish with a new plasma-coated handle for better wear and oxidation resistance. The magnets inside the tool also get an additional epoxy coating added to the NiCuNi coating to improve corrosion resistance as well.

Those who wish to include a Phillips head screwdriver bit to the mix can replace the H2/H2.5 bit with the new H2/JIS bit. Meant to perfectly fit Shimano limit screws, the bit can also be used for Pozidriv and standard Phillips screws as well.

Otherwise, you’re still getting 8 tools at just 33g with a 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm hex as well as a T25 Torx bit. The bits are held in by Neodymium magnets, and each bit can be used on either side of the main tool. The Essential 8 sells for $49.95.

Better Chaintool on Coworking5

The Coworking5 is meant to pair perfectly with the Essential8 and adds a chain breaker, tire lever, spoke wrench, valve core tool, and a chain link holder.

To make the chain breaker easier to use, the chain tool pin is now driven by the T25 bit which allows for more torque to be applied. It also features an increased thread diameter with a lower thread pitch to make it easier to drive the chain pin. The chain tool is compatible with 9-12 speed chains including SRAM Flattop.

Sold separately from the Essential8, the Coworking5 sells for $33.95.

Both are available now.

daysaver.fun

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TOOT Ashaa RR Ultra-Aero Road Bars Beat UCI Turned-In Lever Rule in Steel, Ti, or Carbon https://bikerumor.com/toot-ashaa-rr-ultra-aero-road-bars-beat-uci-turned-in-lever-rule-in-steel-ti-or-carbon/ https://bikerumor.com/toot-ashaa-rr-ultra-aero-road-bars-beat-uci-turned-in-lever-rule-in-steel-ti-or-carbon/#comments Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:34:41 +0000 https://bikerumor.com/?p=352364 Is this ultra-narrow 3D-printed TOOT Ashaa RR aero drop bar the answer to the UCI pan on both puppy paws and turned-in levers?

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TOOT Ashaa RR 3D-printed stainless steel ultra-narrow aero road racing handlebar, Lezica riding on the hoods

Puppy paws & turned-in levers are out, but ultra-narrow super-aero bars are in – and TRed’s TOOT Racing has a UCI-compliant Ashaa RR solution. A bar first developed on the track, the Ashaa RR is a customizable super-narrow, flared & ultra-aero road handlebar designed to get you in the most aerodynamic position, without sacrificing safety or control. To quickly get bars into racers’ hands, Toot 3D-print the handlebars to fit the rider from stainless steel for maximum strength or titanium for additional weight savings.

Or if you have a little patience, weight weenies will be able to get an even lighter carbon Ashaa RR aero handlebar option soon. And it’ll be a lot cheaper too!

TRed’s TOOT Ashaa RR 3D-printed aero road handlebars

Aero gains are everything these days. And refining your position on the bike has always been one of the simplest and most effective ways to save watts. As much as brands like to sweat over the incremental improvements of hidden nipples or tweaked rim profiles, the rider still accounts for most of the drag on a bike at speed.

First developed on the track, then refined on the road

TT & Triathlon racers have long accepted that refining their hand position has been the best way to go faster. But road riders have been stuck with conventional drop bars, as the UCI continues to ban any alternate hand positions.

The latest UCI rules eliminated the “puppy paws” or “invisible aerobars” position for real safety concerns as riders weren’t actually holding onto their bikes in the bunch. So riders opted for turned in levers to keep their hands “on the bars”. But again, lightweight carbon bars were not designed for metal clamps at the unusual inward angles, so that got banned too.

Side note: I’ve both broken a bar off under the clamp in a small crash racing. And removed a ‘factory set’ lever to find the carbon bar crushed under the imperfectly installed metal lever clamp. So, I get the concern.

But pro racers want to go fast. And amateur riders like to emulate their pro cycling heroes. So, there needs to be a solution.

Italian bikebuilder TRed’s component division TOOT has been working on alternate ergonomic and aero handlebars for some time. We last caught up with their Ashaa bar on the track a couple years ago – when the patented it. Updated more last summer. But now, with more UCI restrictions on road racing, the customizable aerodynamic nature of that original bar seems like it could pay off even more. Both for pro and amateur racers alike.

This version then was developed and tested on the road & track with Argentinian former pro cyclist Facundo Lezica working with TRed/Toot’s Romolo Stanco. Then, proven with current Madison World Champ Jan-Willem van Schip.

What’s unique about the TOOT ASHAA RR bar?

TRed calls the TOOT ASHAA RR, the “first handlebar to guarantee an extremely aerodynamic position without compromising control and safety.” That gets to addressing all of the UCI’s concerns, it seems.

It is built around a unique narrow geometry that puts your hands further forward, higher, and closer together, than even a narrow conventional 38-42cm bar (all dimension discussed are measured center-to-center) at the hoods.

Note: UCI regulation dictates allowable outside dimensions for racing eligibility, which is why Toot lists those.

Ultra-narrow and complexly curved

That means a long bar Reach of 118mm and deep Drop of 105mm. That’s designed to fit with your same stem – your arms reach more forward as hands come closer together.

Width is wildly narrow at around 24cm wide at the hoods, which are slightly raised above the stem. Then, they lean the bars themselves in around 5° towards a clamping area, further rotated in another 5-10° to safely interface with turned-in levers – resulting in the end of your hoods being 19-21cm wide.

Wow, right?

Super narrow.

But the Ashaa RR road racing bars also feature dramatic (for the road) ~20° flare for a stable sense of control. Officially it is not “flare” as Toot explains that it is a non-linear curve (a key part of their patent). There are very few real straight angles on the bar. But the result is that it puts the ends of the drops 33-35cm wide. And the roomy drops feature angles to offer a natural-feeling position and plenty of stability.

It’s certainly a dramatically different position – something in between regular drops and aero bars. Yet even though you are narrow and leaning forward, the rider can keep their hands firmly held in the familiar stable position of a dropbar for maximum control.

How Much Faster?

“Both with low and high grip the position is stable and comfortable with perfect handling. From the data collected with the Velocomp Aeropod V5 pitot system – which detects the CdA in real time – my overall aerodynamic efficiency improves by more than 4%. This means that if with a normal 40cm handlebar at 320W I am at 45km/h, with the position that this handlebar allows me to assume (both on the controls and on the handlebar) I ride at 47km/h keeping the levers perfectly aligned with the handle. And remember that the more the speed increases, the wider the gap between the two values is.”

– Facundo Lezica, professional track & road cyclist, and ASHAA RR 3D designer

3D-Printing Tech

Of course, 3D-printing allowed TRed / Toot to quickly turn an idea into reality. But it also means they can customize the actual shape to best fit riders individually – much like we see in custom aero bars. But it is a bit simpler here, Toot refines a proposed shape with a custom bar buyer, then mocks-up a plastic dummy for final testing before printing a metal bar.

Their standard 3D-printed Ashaa RR is made from 316L stainless steel, which allows Toot to tailor strength & stiffness to individual rider needs as well. They say that can vary total bar weight from 360-480g.

They print each steel or ti bar in two interlocking halves, welded together in the middle (see inside, between where the stem clamps), and then ground perfectly smooth for a 31.8mm clamping area.

How strong is that?

This is a 3D-printed Toot Asheeta steel track bar I saw after a massive crash into the barriers last summer at something like 50km/hr, so hard that if folded-in the downtube (but didn’t crack any tubes or welds). And the bar is just scratched. And the ride walked away, although bleeding and missing some skin.

All bars are also compatible with full internal cable routing. In fact, Toot can also make you a custom carbon, aluminum, or titanium stem in any desired length to work with the most common internal routing systems.

Fully customizable in 3D-printed steel

They 3D-print the Ashaa RR in stainless steel in Italy at the University of Pavia. And offer either in this stock geometry. Or you can get a fully customizable size and shape to make it fit perfectly in your own hands and against your own forearms. Importantly, all custom bars are also stress and fatigue test certified by a industry 3rd party.

Toot even says that it can “also be customized for gravel“. We’re quite curious what we’d change to ride off-road. But at this price, they’ll make it whatever shape you need.

Lighter weight in Yottalight 3D-printed titanium

The bar is also available in the standard dimensions as the Toot Ashaa RR Yottalight. 3D-printed in titanium in Germany by ApWorks (a division of the Airbus group) to save weight without sacrificing strength. Weight savings over the optimized steel version is said to be about 15%.

More affordable AND lighter in carbon

If you want to save weight AND some cash – contrary to everything else in the bike industry – you can even pick carbon, instead. But you will have to wait a little longer. Toot manufactures the carbon bar with more conventional molding techniques. Although for now in 3D-printed steel molds in Italy for the early production. So only the stock size and shape is available. The carbon bar is also 2cm wider with wider wings up top, offering a bit more universal appeal.

Toot Ashaa RR – Pricing, options & availability

Essentially 4 versions of the new Toot Ashaa RR aero road racing handlebar are available. Standard geometry in 3D-printed steel for 1390€. Standard geometry in 3D-printed titanium or custom geometry in 3D-printed steel for 1990€. Or ‘just’ 429€ for the carbon bar if you pre-order now.

The 3D-printed bars are all made-to-order with a max 21 working day lead-time for standard geometry. Toot offers the carbon Ashaa RR bars as a pre-order until mid-February, with the first deliveries slated to begin at the end of Mach 2024.

What’s next?

One piece 3D-printed steel or titanium handlebar+stem cockpit combos?

Yeah, Toot is already working on that too. This is a custom Ashaa RR 1-piece cockpit in 3D-printed titanium!

Performance.TootEngineering.com

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A Folding Cargo Bike? Gocycle’s CXi & CX+ are Futuristic Foldable Cargo eBikes https://bikerumor.com/gocycle-cxi-cx-foldable-cargo-ebike/ https://bikerumor.com/gocycle-cxi-cx-foldable-cargo-ebike/#respond Fri, 09 Feb 2024 14:31:23 +0000 https://bikerumor.com/?p=352293 Check out Gocycle's new foldable, mid-tail cargo eBikes have design elements that make them stand out.

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Gocycle CXi blue

Coming in 2024…wait, that’s now. Well, coming soon in 2024, we will see Gocycle’s new foldable cargo bikes with the release of the CXi and the CX+ folding cargo bikes. These new bikes are pretty futuristic looking with a host of design elements that really make them stand out from the crowd.

They will be coming in an array of different colors, like grey, white, blue, green, orange, and yellow. Along with the colors, the models will be using a Lefty-style (righty?) front rigid fork and a one-sided rear chainstay that looks reminiscent of a BMW motorcycle’s single-sided swing arm. They will include the patented side-mounted Pitstopwheels composite wheels.

Other design highlights include no exposed cables or gears, and protective disc brake covers. Being a fully-foldable mid-tail cargo bike is unique in this space.

Gocycle’s CXi & CX+ Differences

It seems that the difference between the two models is the handlebar spec. The CXi uses Gocycle’s existing integrated Daytime Running Light (DRL) enabled handlebar. This is the same bar that can be found on their G4i and G4i+.

The CX+ features Gocycle’s all-new patent-pending Flofit handlebar which brings a big step in rider ergonomics and comfort. Check out this cool video of the Flofit handlebar in action here.

More About the Flofit Handelbar

Gocycle’s all-new Flofit handlebar, which comes exclusively on the CX+, can put the rider in an upright riding position or a slightly more aggressive forward-centric position with the flip of a lever right at the rider’s fingertip. The bar is adjustable in reach, height, and grip angle.

The patent-pending tech is neatly packaged within the handlebar’s body. And the optional Quad Lock mounting point makes it easy to help stow the bike away. One bolt provides easy access for the brake adjustment and tuning.

5-Speed Belt Drive

Both the CXi & CX+ are equipped with a 5-speed Shimano Nexus internal hub. The belt drive system utilizes extended gear ranges for carrying extra loads and galloping a bit on the flats. The smooth and premium Gates CDX carbon belt drive combined with Gocycle’s patented Cleandrive system adds rider protection, provides easy cleaning, and has snazzy aesthetics.

Gocycle’s WingPillar Frame

Using “high-tech” composite materials, the bold-looking WingPillar Frame is built on Gocyle’s core monocoque chassis DNA. It’s been tested to meet high load and safety standards (220kg/480lbs). This means that you are safe runnin’ your errands, pickin’ up your stuff, and haulin’ your kiddos around.

The rear deck is compatible with MIK child seats and accessories. You can even get the rear deck in premium cherry and teak woods.

A Folding Cargo Bike That’s Lightweight and Stowable

Most cargo bikes can be bulky, cumbersome to stow, and quite heavy making them difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. The CXi takes a step to remedy these issues with a folding cargo bike design. Weighing in at only 23kg (50lbs), it becomes a portable solution tailored for tight living and storage situations. To those not familiar with eCargo bikes, that may sound heavy, but many bikes in the this space weigh up to 75lbs or more. That fact that this is folding, and that light is very impressive.

A folding bike is more easily storable and transportable. This versatility makes packing it on a train, in the trunk of your car, or in an apartment closet.

Gocycle CXi & CX+ Retail Specs

Retail:

Gocycle CXi: $6,999
Gocycle CX+: $7,999

  • Motor: Gocycle proprietary G4drive front hub motor with traction control
  • Motor Drive Control: Pedal Torque Sensing
  • Range: Up to 80km (50 miles)
  • Transmission: Patented Cleandrive Shimano Nexus 5-speed w Gates Belt drive
  • Shifting: Gocycle electronic Predictive Shifting
  • Brakes: Hydraulic disk, front and rear
  • Approximate Weight: 23kg (51lbs) including kickstand & pedals
  • Maximum Rider Weight: 220kg (480lbs), including clothing and luggage
  • Child Seats & Accessories: MIK HD Compatible

The Gocycle CXi and CX+ will be produced in small quantities. Pre-orders are open now with a refundable deposit of $499. Click here to pre-order your own.

Gocycle CXi and CX+ are available now in the UK, US (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), and Mainland Europe at launch. Delivery will start in September 2024. All depositors will be updated as they get closer to production and will be able to choose between home delivery and getting your bike delivered to one of their authorized Gocycle Family Cargo dealers.

GoCycles.com

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Titici Alloi AND Italian Aluminum Gravel Bike Updated with Killer Ano Finish, Bigger Tires! https://bikerumor.com/titici-alloi-and-italian-aluminum-gravel-bike-updated-with-killer-ano-finish-bigger-tires/ https://bikerumor.com/titici-alloi-and-italian-aluminum-gravel-bike-updated-with-killer-ano-finish-bigger-tires/#comments Thu, 08 Feb 2024 13:49:44 +0000 https://bikerumor.com/?p=352258 Made-in-Italy aluminum Titici Alloi AND gravel bikes gets uniquely beautiful, protective silver ano finish AND a limited edition Ingrid build…

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Titici Alloi AND aluminum gravel bike with GHA Silver hard anodized finish, complete bike

Italian framebuilder Titici gives new life to their flat toptube aluminum Alloi gravel bike with a uniquely beautiful and protective silver anodized finish. Debuted just last spring, the comfortable alloy gravel bike also gets a subtle update in the tire clearance realm, kicking up capabilities for off-road adventure. And to top it all off, the Alloi AND adds a limited edition Ingrid build for more Italian ano aluminum style…

Titici Alloi AND aluminum gravel bike is GHA Silver Anodized

Unique bronze-colored protective ano finish. Bigger tire clearance. Fully integrated cable routing and race-ready mounts. And a comfortable PAT.H flexy top tube on a more affordable aluminum frame. All handmade in Italy.

We’ve covered the launch of Titici’s handmade-in-Italy Alloi aluminum gravel bike last spring.

An update to their old round-tube All-In, the Alloi added the framebuilder’s signature flattened PAT toptube design for additional rider comfort. The Plate Absorber Tech – new Hydroformed edition (PAT.H), is not quite as flat as in carbon. But Titici claims the comfort gains are still a big help, especially over long days in the saddle off-road. Plus, the alloy PAT.H frameset sells for about half of the carbon PAT version in their Relli.

Now that bike adds the optional AND finish debuted on the old All-In AND a year earlier. A look that truly sets the bike apart, while also boosting frame protection.

GHA Silver Ano – Tech Details

Developed with alloy tubing supplier Dedacciai, the purpose of the GHA (Golden Hard Anodizing) process is actually to better protect the aluminum frame – both inside and out. The name is a bit confusing reflecting the final coloring. But the process works by integrating a protective oxide layer of silver ions onto the porous surface of the aluminum tubes. Delivering “almost infinite durability”.

The result is increased hardness & resistance to wear, but also a lower friction surface, and high antibacterial & anti-mold performance. That’s why GHA has long been in use for marine & pharmaceutical industries. Titici says they have an exclusive partnership with the Japanese creators of the technology, making this the only GHA bike you can get.

Rumor has it, that mud & dirt are noticeably easier to wipe right off after a ride. Cool.

Another side benefit is that the unique anodization process tints the different tubes and welds differently, giving the aluminum bike a varied gold-to-bronze color that actually reminds me of a raw fillet brazed steel frame.

All that, and it’s lighter than paint, too!

What else is new?

The big functional update to the Alloi frame is increased tire clearance. Titici says this new generation of Alloi AND gravel frames now has room for up to 700 x 45mm or 650 x 50mm tires. No word on what exact changes were made. But a quick look at new and old frames suggests a likely subtle chainstay tweak to squeeze an extra 5mm.

The bonus good news, the tire clearance upgrade also applies to the standard painted Alloi this year, too.

Alloi Bike Details

Briefly, the Titici Alloi is a 1690g 7000-series Dedacciai aluminum gravel frame with fully internal cable routing through a 1.5″ Deda DCR headset system, a threaded BSA BB, 31.6mm seatpost, flat mount disc & 12mm thru-axles. It is compatible with 1x or 2x drivetrains – mechanical or electronic. The bike has custom-shaped alloy tubes and a flexy PAT.H toptube for off-road comfort.

It features 2 sets of front triangle bottle bosses, a toptube bag mount & a rear rack mount. And it is sold with a full carbon fork with 3-pack Anything cage mounts.

The Alloi comes in 4 stock sizes (S-XL). And I believe custom geometry is also possible for an upcharge.

Titici Alloi AND in silver ano – Pricing, options & availability

The new Titici Alloi AND frameset is available on its own with stock geometry for 2590€. That’s now only a 200€ upcharge over the standard painted edition. To highlight the made-in-Italy alloy nature of the new bike, Titici partnered with Ingrid components for a limited edition complete build of the new bike.

The Titici Alloi AND X Ingrid LE complete bike sells for 5690€, with a set of matching gold ano Ingrid CRS-POP cranks and a Ingrid 11-44T cassette. That then pairs with a SRAM Rival XPLR AXS groupset. And a mix of Italian company components – Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 alloy wheels with Pirelli Cinturato H tires, and an integrated Deda aluminum finishing kit. Titici claims a complete bike weight of 9.3kg.

Then newly anodized frames are in stock and ready to deliver now. They build complete bikes to order, with an approximate 2 week lead-time before delivery through your local Titici dealer.

Titici.com

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KMC REACT Cassettes join their 10/11-Speed Chains https://bikerumor.com/kmc-react-cassettes/ https://bikerumor.com/kmc-react-cassettes/#comments Thu, 08 Feb 2024 07:05:00 +0000 https://bikerumor.com/?p=352240 KMC's new REACT cassettes give you high quality, affordable wide-range 10 and 11 speed options for any bike (or trainer).

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KMC REACT 11-speed chain

Long-time bicycle chain brand KMC has just introduced their new React cassettes in 10-speed and 11-speed versions. First spotted at Eurobike 2023, they’re designed for wide-range 1x and 2x applications, with tooth counts good for road, gravel, and mountain bikes.

At just $65, they’re affordable replacement, option for your trainer, or way to try a different tooth count on the cheap. Perfect for upgrading your kids’ bikes, too. And from the looks of it, you won’t be giving up shift quality to save some coin.

The cogs have dual shifting ramps called Flow Control, smoothing upshift and downshifts. These ramped tooth profiles & thicknesses use varied shapes to guide the chain from cog to cog.

Both KMC REACT versions have two gear range options:

  • 10-speed: 11-36T, 11-42T
  • 11-speed: 11-42T, 11-50T

They’re optimized for KMC chains, but are compatible with other 10- and 11-speed chains. They fit Shimano HG freehub bodies. Fitting it to a bike built around a smaller cassette? They recommend adding the Wolf Tooth Components Goatlink to increase your derailleur’s capacity for larger cogs.

KMCchain.us

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Trek Marlin+ adds Bosch e-Bike Power to Popular Hardtail https://bikerumor.com/trek-marlin-plus-e-bike/ https://bikerumor.com/trek-marlin-plus-e-bike/#comments Thu, 08 Feb 2024 02:27:54 +0000 https://bikerumor.com/?p=352248 Trek introduces more affordable e-bike options with a Bosch-powered version of their Marlin alloy hardtail, and it's ready for anything from trail to touring to…

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trek marlin+ alloy hardtail e-mountain bike being ridden

The new Trek Marlin+ takes their all-purpose alloy hardtail and gives it the Bosch Active Line upgrade. The e-bike variant has all the same features as the analog original, giving you a wide range of use options, from trail to town.

Featuring 2.6″ tires, a 120mm suspension fork, and size-specific wheel selections, the Marlin+ scoots all of that along with a 50Nm mid-mount motor.

It’s a Class 1 e-bike, assisting up to 20mph or 25km/h, depending on market. A bolt-on cover on the non-drive side makes motor service easy, and a protective plate under it makes cable routing simple.

That’s paired with a 400Wh CompactTube battery, augmented with an optional 250Wh PowerMore range extender. Expect 2-4 hours of run time on a full charge, and about 50% more than that with the external battery pack. It uses the slim Bosch Purion display/remote for simple mode switches and easy visuals for power, speed, etc. Switch to Auto mode for automatic assist changes based on terrain, cadence, and your output.

Size medium frames and up get 29″ wheels, small & XS get 27.5″ wheels. All frame sizes get rack and fender mounts, letting you set it up for backroad touring and urban commuting. Or shed the cargo and shred the trail.

Trek Marlin+ Specs & Pricing

Two builds are available, both on the affordable end of Trek’s e-bike lineup.

Marlin+ 8
Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, dropper seatpost, Shimano 4 piston hydraulic disc brakes, 120mm RockShox Recon Silver Air fork, Tubeless Ready wheels and Bontrager Gunnison Pro XR 29×2.6” tires. MSRP $3,499. Also available in gray/silver.

Marlin+ 6
Shimano wide range CUES drivetrain, Shimano Linkglide cassette, Tektro hydraulic brakes with 203mm rotors, 120mm SR Suntour XCM 34 fork, Bontrager Montrose 29”x2.4” tires. MSRP $2,699. Also available in black.

Available now globally in most markets. Prefer the standard version? The analog Trek Marlin got a refresh in 2023.

TrekBikes.com

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6x World Champ Mathieu van der Poel’s Canyon Inflite “CFR”: CX Pro Bike Check https://bikerumor.com/6x-world-champ-mathieu-van-der-poels-canyon-inflite-cfr-cx-pro-bike-check/ https://bikerumor.com/6x-world-champ-mathieu-van-der-poels-canyon-inflite-cfr-cx-pro-bike-check/#comments Wed, 07 Feb 2024 23:12:56 +0000 https://bikerumor.com/?p=352178 Mathieu van der Poel is again the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Champion, his 5th time on a carbon Canyon Inflite, the 1st on a CFR cross…

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MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR is actually a CF SLX cyclocross bike

Mathieu van der Poel’s bikes are near the top of our most-covered Pro Bike Checks’ list, and he gets another one with a new Canyon Inflite “CFR”. MvdP had a whole fleet of white Inflites to race for a 6th UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championship title in Tábor, Czechia over the weekend – on the same course where he earned his first Elite rainbow stripes almost a decade earlier.

Yet while his bikes undeniably got the integrated cable routing upgrade of the latest evolution of Canyon’s carbon cross Inflite, van der Poel’s frames seemed like they were having a bit of an identity crisis – each labeled Inflite CF SLX on the side of their seat cluster, but CFR on the top of their toptubes…

So what gives?

Canyon Inflite CFR of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel

Canyon officially introduced a higher-spec, more integrated CFR spec of their carbon Inflite cross bike at the start of this cross season. All built around their ultralight Canyon Factory Racing carbon construction.

And Mathieu van der Poel was racing on it from day one.

On the outside, this still looks a lot like MvdP’s Inflite CF SLXes that we featured in 2018 & 2019. He’d already won CX Worlds on this same bike in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and now adds a 2024 win. Only his first Elite win, also in Tábor back in 2015, was on a different bike – a camouflage Stevens Super Prestige.

So, why the Inflite CF SLX vs. Inflite CFR identity crisis?

My first guess would have been that the new CFR frame was simply not yet on the UCI List of Approved Models of Framesets for road/cross/track racing. At least not as recently as the February 1st update – the day before CX Worlds kicked off.

All of van der Poel’s bikes featured a UCI-approved sticker with the number R059 – the number approved for the CF SLX back in July 2017.

In fact, no Canyon bikes seem to have been added to that list at all in 2023.

But it seems that all of the CFR models on Canyon’s own website have that same R059 designation. So there really is nothing different between a CFR & a CF SLX frame, it seems

The big new feature on the recently introduced Inflite CFR model was its clean fully internal cable routing. Now with cables directed inside through the Aerocockpit borrowed from the road, and via the headset into the fork. So the CFR frames shouldn’t need external cable routing ports, but there still are 3 of them on the sides of the headtube.

What is new though is the CFR fork.

The standard CF SLX had a 1.25-1.5″ tapered steerer. But the CFR uses a 1.125-1.5″ tapered steerer with an opening at the top to allow the rear brake cable to enter the frame internally. And then a 1.25″ sleeve extending down from the cockpit (kinda like an old quill stem) fills in the gap to the same 1.25″ upper headset bearing in the CFR/CF SLX frame.

Race-ready CX bike

Presumably, that’s a minimal enough change to not warrant going through the hassle of getting the UCI to approve an entire new frame. And apparently, the UCI doesn’t ask too many questions about this fork – with Zwift logos and no external cable ports – not being separately on the approved list.

So, essentially the same carbon Inflite as for his previous four championship titles while riding Canyon.

Also the same Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2x 12-speed wireless electronic groupset that Mathieu van der Poel has raced since its introduction back in the summer of 2021. He’s been on the latest disc brake Di2 groupsets ever since his first Elite Worlds title nine years ago.

It all is a hard formula to argue with. And Mathieu van der Poel continues to dominate professional cyclocross racing on this Canyon Inflite CFR. And especially so, in tough conditions like the unrelenting mud of the Czech course for the 2024 World Championships.

A big help falls to a huge fleet of bikes and a support staff with a fresh, clean bike every half lap. See van der Poel with a clean bike here mid-race, after having just exited the pits.

And mud-ready tires!

And of course, reliable mud traction.

Like fellow Dutch World Champ Fem van Empel, Mathieu van der Poel was also racing on Dugast Rhino tubulars.

What’s different, his tires don’t have any labeling on them. Presumably, that’s to appease official Alpecin-Deceuninck tire supplier Vittoria, even though they actually own Dugast. Anyway, with no logos, we can’t be sure if his tires feature Monsoon rubber or neoprene sidewall treatment. But they are the max 33mm width allowable for cross racing by the UCI.

Van der Poel’s mechanics glue his tires up to deep Shimano Dura-Ace C50 carbon tubular wheels, the same he often races on the road.

Muddy enough to get a fresh bike every half a lap

And yes, there was plenty of mud during the race, when mechanics had to be quick getting the bike cleaned and ready to head out again. But during training, they had a little bit more time to spare. So we caught up with bike #1 getting a bath, for a closer look.

The latest Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset sees the R9270 levers mounted to the 3-piece adjustable-width Canyon Aerocockpit handlebar + stem + integrated carbon quill combo. It’s a tidy, aero setup. And no displays to distract Mathieu while racing – or warming up apparently.

His Inflite CFR gets a classic pro cyclocross 46/39T Dura-Ace double chainring crankset setup there under a full lap’s mud. An a trusty set of XTR SPD pedals. (Trust us, they’re under there.) No power meter though. When you are swapping bikes every half a lap – or roughly every 1.5km – collecting data across several bikes would simply be a mess.

So van der Poel sticks with a simple Whoop wristband fitness tracker, instead.

Everything gets clogged up with mud & grass in a proper cross race. So when time allows before the racing, MvdP’s mechanics use a Morgan Blue pulley that slides onto the 12mm thru-axle to really get in and clean every nook-and-cranny with the wheels off. There’s also a ton of mud stuck up in that saddle. And with its ergonomic cutout – also van de Poel’s backside.

He rides maybe the saddle with the longest name in the industry, the Selle Italia Flite Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow MVDP edition. And no, this isn’t a custom saddle. We saw several other racers sitting on Mathieu van der Poel’s initials to race.

Muddy kicks, and pro cleaning tips, too.

Mathieu van der Poel has long run the top shoes in Shimano’s line-up. And often can be spotted wearing development prototypes that don’t always make it to production. His shoes this year are Shimano’s latest S-Phyre XC903 iteration of their top mountain bike shoe. Now with a redesigned laser-perforated upper, the latest Ultread rubber sole, and tweaked lacing guides. And of course, for muddy racing van der Poel is running a set of the optional toe spikes.

His pro team secret here, besides having lots of fresh shoes to change into while training? Team mechanics pressure wash his muddy shoes after a course recon pre-ride. Then, they use an air compressor to blow all the water out of them immediately after. With their synthetic construction, they come out surprisingly dry when the mechanic is done with them.

2024 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Champion Mathieu van der Poel

With that setup, MvdP stomped his way to another emphatic World Championship win aboard his Canyon Inflite CFR.

Now with racing for the Dutch National Team done, he can go back to a fresh rainbow-striped Alpecin-Deceuninck skinsuit. And most likely, it’s time for Canyon to figure out a new rainbow-themed paint job for his Inflite CFR race bikes. It’s the 5th World Championship win on this Inflite platform. So, Canyon’s graphic designers are going to have to come on with some creative new ideas.

Any design theme suggestions?

Canyon.com

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The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024 https://bikerumor.com/best-bike-chain-lube/ Wed, 07 Feb 2024 21:13:55 +0000 https://bikerumor.com/?p=349836 A quality chain lubricant is vital for the performance and lifespan of the entire drivetrain. As the chain runs across your cassette, chainrings, and rear…

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Chain lube lead image

A quality chain lubricant is vital for the performance and lifespan of the entire drivetrain. As the chain runs across your cassette, chainrings, and rear derailleur pulleys, any contamination or lack of lubrication will gradually wear down the precisely machined teeth of these components, leading to noise, a reduction of efficiency, sloppy shifting, and eventually, a hefty replacement cost.

Think of the chain as the heart of your bike’s drivetrain. If it’s gunked up with contaminants, it’s not able to function efficiently, and performance suffers. Not only will you waste power overcoming more friction in your chain, but that friction will accelerate wear on all of your drivetrain components, which can combine to cost many hundreds of dollars to replace. By making a small investment in a quality chain lube, big gains in not only performance but bank account balances can be achieved.

There are a dizzying number of chain lubes on the market, with wet lubes, dry lubes, and wax-based drip-on coatings all claiming to be the best. All these options can make it hard to figure out which is the best lube for your bike, riding style, and the conditions you encounter out on the road or trail. Additionally, there are very strong and widely varying opinions on what lubes are the best. Based on our experience, popularity, and independent test lab results, we gathered 14 of the best chain lubes on the market to test and compare.

Our top chain lube recommendations are listed below, followed by the best of the rest which we feel are all worthy of consideration as well. To see all the chain lubes we tested at a glance, check out our comparison chart. If you’re unsure of what you need, our buying advice includes helpful information to guide your purchase decision, and we’ve got answers to common questions in our FAQ section.

The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024


Best Overall Drip Wax Chain Lube

Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower Wax

Specs

  • MSRP $21.00 (100ml), $68.00 (500ml)
  • Volume 100ml (4.06 oz), 500ml (16.9 oz)
  • Price Per Ounce $5.17 (100ml size)
  • Type Wax
  • Composition Sunflower Seed Wax, NO hazardous additives
  • Recommended use All conditions
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Highly efficient
  • Over 50% wax content
  • Long-lasting
  • Biodegradable

Cons

  • Requires perfectly clean chain
Best Value Drip Wax Chain Lube

Squirt Long Lasting Chain Lube

Specs

  • MSRP $15
  • Volume 4 oz (120ml), also comes in 15ml and 500ml
  • Price Per Ounce $3.75
  • Type Wax
  • Composition 100% biodegradable waxes with water
  • Recommended use All Conditions
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Runs quiet
  • Inexpensive
  • Extends drivetrain service life

Cons

  • Can separate if it freezes
Runner-Up Best Drip Wax Chain Lube

CeramicSpeed UFO Drip All Conditions

Specs

  • MSRP $24.00
  • Volume 100ml (3.38 oz)
  • Price Per Ounce $7.10
  • Type Wax
  • Composition Non-toxic and biodegradable wax-based formula
  • Recommended Use All Conditions
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Runs quiet
  • Hangs tough in wet conditions
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Extensive chain prep required
Best Money-No-Object Drip Wax Chain Lube

absoluteBLACK GraphenLube

Specs

  • MSRP $19.95 (0.47 oz) to $145.95 (4.7 oz)
  • Volume 0.47 oz (14ml) / 4.7 oz (140ml)
  • Price Per Ounce $42.45 (0.47 oz size)
  • Type Wax
  • Composition Hydrocarbon (wax) based water emulsion containing a special mix of high purity Graphene.
  • Recommended use All conditions
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Runs super quiet
  • Saves watts
  • Protects drivetrain
  • Lasts a long time

Cons

  • VERY expensive
Best Wet Chain Lube

Silca Synergetic Wet Lube

Specs

  • MSRP $25 (2oz)
  • Volume 2 oz
  • Price Per Ounce $12.50
  • Type Oil
  • Composition ZDDP Oil with nano-particles of Tungsten Di-Sulfide
  • Recommended use All conditions
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Tribofilm protects from wear
  • Easy to apply
  • Precise applicator reduces waste

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  • Prone to settling – needs vigorous shaking
Best Value Wet Chain Lube

WD-40 Specialist Bike Wet Chain Lube

Specs

  • MSRP $10
  • Volume 4 oz
  • Price Per Ounce $2.50
  • Type Oil
  • Composition Proprietary oil-based formula
  • Recommended Use Wet Weather
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Reasonable price
  • Works well in wet, muddy conditions
  • Easy to apply

Cons

  • Not great for dry conditions
  • Needs frequent cleaning and reapplications – like most wet lubes
Easiest Chain Lube to Use

Wolf Tooth WT-1 Chain Lube

Specs

  • MSRP $18.95 (2oz) $6.95 (0.5 oz)
  • Volume 2 oz, also comes in 0.5 oz
  • Price Per Ounce $9.48
  • Type Oil
  • Composition Solvent refined light naphthenic oil
  • Recommended use All conditions
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Pushes out contaminants as you ride
  • Affordable
  • Zero chain prep is required

Cons

  • Fairly expensive

Best of the Rest

Pedro’s Slick Wax

Specs

  • MSRP $12.50
  • Volume 4 oz (120ml)
  • Price Per Ounce $3.13
  • Type Wax
  • Composition Wax, plant-based and biodegradable chemistry, No Parrafins or PTFE
  • Recommended use Dry weather
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Runs quiet
  • Stays clean
  • Biodegradable

Cons

  • Needs extensive chain cleaning for 1st application
  • Needs time to cure

Silca Super Secret Chain Lube

Specs

  • MSRP $45 (8oz) $25 (4 oz) $16 (2 oz)
  • Volume 8, 4, or 2 oz.
  • Price Per Ounce 8oz: $5.63, 4oz: $6.25, 2oz: $8
  • Type Wax
  • Composition Tungsten Disulphide, biodegradable waxes, with alcohol
  • Recommended use All conditions
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Quickly penetrates
  • Runs quiet
  • Extends drivetrain service life

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Requires a new chain to be stripped clean

Motorex Chainlube with PTFE

Specs

  • MSRP $12.85 (100ml)
  • Volume 100ml (3.38 oz)
  • Price Per Ounce $3.80
  • Type Oil
  • Composition Oil-based, fully synthetic with PTFE
  • Recommended use Dry weather
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Repels dirt and dust
  • Hangs tough on wet rides

Cons

  • PTFE is non-biodegradable
  • Requires frequent reapplication

Rock N’ Roll Gold

Specs

  • MSRP $8
  • Volume 4 oz, also comes in 16 oz
  • Price Per Ounce $2.00
  • Type Oil
  • Composition Oil-based
  • Recommended use All Conditions
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Repels dirt and dust
  • Hangs tough on wet rides

Cons

  • Needs time to cure

Rock N’ Roll Holy Cow

Specs

  • MSRP $8.00
  • Volume 4 oz
  • Price Per Ounce $2.00
  • Type Wet lube
  • Composition No information available
  • Recommended use All conditions
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Stays fairly clean
  • Affordable
  • Cleans and lubes in one

Cons

  • Requires more frequent application than some

Maxima Chain Wax Parafilm Lube

Specs

  • MSRP $11
  • Volume 4 oz
  • Price Per Ounce $2.75
  • Type Wax
  • Composition Proprietary Parafilm Formula
  • Recommended use All conditions
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Runs quiet
  • Inexpensive
  • Easy-to-use applicator

Cons

  • Strong scent

Muc-Off Dry Weather Lube

Specs

  • MSRP $12.00
  • Volume 120ml (4.06 oz), also comes in 50ml
  • Price Per Ounce $3.00
  • Type Wax
  • Composition Wax-based
  • Recommended use Dry weather
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Precise application
  • Stays clean

Cons

  • Needs frequent reapplication

Muc-Off C3 Ceramic Wet Weather Lube

Specs

  • MSRP $17.00 (120ml)
  • Volume 120ml (4.06 oz), also comes in 50ml (1.7 oz)
  • Price Per Ounce $4.19
  • Type Oil
  • Composition Oil-based with fluoro polymers and boron nitrides
  • Recommended use Wet weather
The Best Bike Chain Lubes of 2024

Pros

  • Reatively affordable
  • Precise application
  • Hangs tough in horrid conditions

Cons

  • Needs frequent reapplication
  • Gets dirty – chain needs to be wiped down regularly

Comparison Chart

Chain LubeMSRPVolumePrice per OunceTypeRecommended Use
Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower Wax$21100ml (3.38 oz)$5.17WaxAll Conditions
Squirt Long Lasting Chain Lube$154 oz$3.75WaxAll Conditions
Ceramic Speed UFO Drip All Conditions$24100ml (3.38 oz)$7.10WaxAll Conditions
absoluteBLACK Graphenlube$19.950.47 oz$42.45 (0.47 oz. size)WaxAll Conditions
Silca Synergetic Wet Lube$252 oz$12.50Oil-basedAll Conditions
WD-40 Specialist Bike Wet Lube$104 oz$2.50Oil-basedWet Weather
Wolf Tooth WT-1 Chain Lube$18.952 oz$9.48Oil-basedAll Conditions
Pedro’s Slick Wax$12.504 oz$3.13WaxDry weather
Silca Super Secret Chain Lube$45 – $168, 4, or 2 oz$5.63 to $8 (varies by size)WaxAll Conditions
Motorex Chainlube with PTFE$12.85100ml (3.38 oz)$3.80Oil-basedDry Weather
Rock N’ Roll Gold$84 oz$2.00Oil-basedAll Conditions
Rock N’ Roll Holy Cow$84 oz$2.00WetAll conditions
Maxima Chain Wax Parafilm$114 oz$2.75WaxAll Conditions
Muc-Off Dry Weather Lube$124.06 oz$3.00Wax-basedDry Weather
Muc-Off C3 Ceramic Wet Weather Lube$174.06 oz$4.19Oil-basedWet Weather

Why You Should Trust Us

At Bikerumor, we ride all kinds of bikes, a lot, and we know there are few things more annoying than a squeaky chain or wearing out expensive drivetrain components prematurely. Of course, taking good care of and maintaining our drivetrains helps, but we’ve also learned that choosing the right chain lube can do wonders to keep things running smoothly, and quietly, and reduce the friction that causes our chains, chainrings, cassettes, and derailleur pulleys to ultimately wear out. We’re also in the business of reporting on and testing new products and technologies, and we strive to provide our readers with trustworthy and honest opinions of the products we review.

For our chain lube buyer’s guide, we tasked Bennett Shane with testing the vast majority of the 14 different products in this review and added a couple that are highly regarded by other members of our team. Bennett is an avid road cyclist who spends an inordinate amount of time riding for fun, fitness, and product testing purposes. He lives outside of Portland, Oregon where he encounters the full spectrum of riding conditions throughout the year. He has a small fleet of high-end road bikes and prefers it when they run quietly, smoothly, and efficiently while protecting his expensive drivetrain componentry from premature wear. Bennett has been testing a huge range of product categories over the past year, including road bike tires, cycling bib tights, winter cycling gloves, road bike helmets, and more. His years of riding experience combined with his testing experience have given him an excellent ability to tease out the often subtle differences between the products he tests, which is of particular importance for something like chain lube.

It’s important to note that we did not perform scientific friction or wear testing on the lubricants in this buyer’s guide. Since this type of analysis is quite difficult to perform and requires highly specialized equipment, we’ll leave that to the experts who already do that type of lab testing. Zero Friction Cycling (ZFC) is one such resource that does independent laboratory testing of chain lubricants and publishes in-depth findings online. Much like Virgina tech’s independent helmet impact testing, we use ZFC’s findings to inform ourselves and help choose the products we tested. Our testing focuses more on using these products in the real world while examining factors like ease of application, drivetrain noise, contamination, cleanliness, and longevity when used in various weather conditions. To do that we gathered a diverse selection of 14 of the best chain lubes on the market to test and compare. Bennett Shane personally tested the vast majority of the chain lubes included here, and we added a few options that are favorites of our bike-obsessed editors, with the goal of highlighting the best options for every budget and riding condition.

Bennett Shane testing the best chain lubes
Chain lube testing requires significant time spent riding. Fortunately, Benett Shane doesn’t seem to mind. (photo/Ben Guernsey)

Buying Advice: How To Choose Bike Chain Lube

With so many options on the market, it can be hard to decide which chain lube is right for you. We’ll cover some of the factors to consider in this buying advice article with more information provided in our FAQ section below.

Types of Bike Chain Lube

Although there are a dizzying number of chain lubes available, all claiming to be the best available, they can be broadly divided into three categories, wet, dry, and wax-based, one of which will likely suit your needs best for most of the season, if not all throughout it. Generally speaking, wet lubes are best for wet conditions, dry lubes are aimed at dry conditions, and most of the drip-on wax lubes we tested claim to be effective in all conditions unless otherwise stated.

Riding through a puddle on a gravel bike in conditions that are best suited to a wet chain lube
Wet, oil-based lubes are generally a good choice for conditions like these. (photo/Jim Graham)

Wet

Synthetic or oil-based “wet” lube, goes on thick and wet, and remains highly viscous, helping the chain run quiet and shift smoothly between gears. A benefit of many wet lubricants is that they repel water and stick tenaciously to the chain, making them a great choice for riding in wet conditions. The potential downside to this type of lube is that its oil-based composition remains wet and sticky which can attract contamination from dust and dirt that lingers in the air or gets sprayed up from wet roads. So, cleaning the chain and reapplying wet lube generally needs to be done more frequently to maintain its effectiveness. Examples include WD-40 Specialist Bike Wet Lube, Muc-Off C3 Ceramic Wet Weather Lube, and Silca Synergetic Wet Lube.

Riding a mountain bike on dry trails in conditions well suited to using a dry chain lube
Dry conditions are where dry lubes work best given that they are less prone to collecting contaminants like dust and dirt. (photo/ Heather Benson)

Dry

Next up are light and midweight “dry” lubes. While the term “dry lube” may sound strange, rest assured that these will not dry out your chain and cause it to squeak and slow you down. These lubrications are dry in the sense that they don’t attract and absorb contaminants the way wet lubes do. So, for arid, dry, and dusty conditions, they can keep your chain running more smoothly and save the components in your drivetrain from wearing out prematurely. Dry lubes are typically more susceptible to washing off in wet conditions, however, leaving your chain dangerously exposed to premature wear. We tested three lubes that are specifically intended for use in dry conditions including Pedro’s Slick Wax, Muc-Off Dry Weather Lube, and Motorex Chainlube with PTFE.

Riding a road bike that is lubed with a wax-based drip-on chain lube
Most wax-based drip-on lubes claim to be good for all conditions and are preferred by many high-performance, high-mileage riders for their ability to reduce the rate of wear on the drivetrain and their often long application intervals. (photo/Ben Guernsey)

Wax

Wax-based chain lubes are actually more of a protective coating. These coatings cover the chain in liquid wax and then cure to the metal to create a barrier against friction and contamination. Traditionally, these wax chain coatings required full immersion of a perfectly clean and ideally brand-new chain in a crock pot full of searing hot wax. The process takes time and effort to complete and comes with a high initial cost, meaning that immersive wax is a growing but still niche style of chain maintenance that isn’t for everyone. Still, there are quite a few hot melt wax options like Molten Speed Wax, Silca Secret Chain Blend Hot Melt Wax, absoluteBlack’s GraphenWax, and others that are widely considered to be the gold standard.

Hot melt chain waxes, like Silca’s Secret Blend, have a loyal following for many reasons, but the process is a bit more involved than the drip-on alternatives. (photo/Silca)

The good news regarding wax-based lubricants is that they are now available in drip-on versions. The compositions of these drip lubes are similar to their immersive counterparts, so they promise a very high percentage of the same benefits in efficiency and protection against premature wear. They drip on just like wet and dry lube but still require the chain to be super clean in order to work effectively. Traditionally, they haven’t been the quietest lubes available, but some of the latest options are among the best in terms of drivetrain noise. Some of the drip-on wax-based lubes we tested at Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower, Ceramic Speed UFO Drip, Squirt Long Lasting, Maxima Chain Wax, and absoluteBLACK GraphenLube.

Pre-waxed Chains

Kogel is one brand that sells pre-waxed chains so you don’t have to go through the hassle of deep-cleaning a brand-new chain yourself. (photo/Kogel)

Some brands and retailers offer brand-new chains that have been deep-cleaned and pre-waxed so that you don’t have to go through the hassle of doing it yourself. This is a good option for those who need to replace their chain and want to switch over to wax, but who might not have the tools, solvents, or time to do the whole deep-cleaning process for themselves. With a little searching, you can usually find popular high-end chains that come prepped from Kogel, Silca, Ceramic Speed, or absoluteBLACK, among others.

Applying Ceramic Speed UFO Drip chain lube to a bike chain
Recommended application instructions vary between types of lube and brands. Most drip-on wax lubes need to be applied to a perfectly clean chain and allowed to cure for up to 12 hours to work best. (photo/Bennett Shane)

Application

With all chain lubes, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application. This varies by the type of lube and often from brand to brand, but applying lube to a clean chain is almost always the best way to achieve optimal results. Many drip-on wax lubes specify that the chain must be perfectly clean before applying, so extensive cleaning must be done before the initial application. Even brand-new chains must be stripped of the factory coating so that the lube can effectively penetrate and lubricate the surfaces inside the rollers. Depending on the conditions you ride in and the amount of grime that gets stuck to the chain, subsequent applications may be as simple as wiping down the chain and reapplying, or as involved as a deep clean before reapplication.

Another important fact to remember is that the rollers of the chain are the critical points to lubricate. The outer plates are simply linking the rollers together, and do not need to be lubricated in order for the chain to be efficient. Excess lubrication on the surface of the chain will usually result in faster build-up of contamination and less efficient performance.

A clean drivetrain on a road bike
A clean and well-lubricated drivetrain is a happy drivetrain that’ll run smoother, quieter, and last longer. (photo/Ben Guernsey)

Cleaning

Whichever chain lube you choose to apply, it’s vital to also regularly clean the surface of the chain and occasionally deep clean it using a solvent or degreaser. This will remove contaminants that form an abrasive mess inside the chain internals over time. To clean the surface, it’s best to use a microfiber or course cotton cloth that pulls away surface junk before it infiltrates the chain. To remove that internal gunk, remove the chain and submerge it in a degreaser, or better yet in an ultrasonic cleaner. For a relatively deep clean without removing the chain, handheld chain scrubbers are a quick, easy, and effective option.

The best time to clean a nasty chain is as quickly as possible after you finish your ride. Don’t wait until 15 minutes before your next ride, by which time the gunk and debris have solidified and are much more challenging to remove. Additionally, any reapplication of lubricant needs time to penetrate the chain rollers in order to be effective, so at a minimum, it needs to be done a few hours ahead of time in the case of oil-based wet lube, or 12 hours for wax-based lube. 

Silca Super Secret Chain lube and Silca Synergetic Wet Lube
While some modern chain lubes, like the Silca Super Secret Chain Coating and Synergetic Wet Lube, are relatively expensive, they can last a long time between reapplications while extending the life of your drivetrain components, which can save you money in the long term. (photo/Bennett Shane)

Value

Keeping your drivetrain clean and lubricated can help improve your efficiency and reduce friction that can lead to premature wear of your (often expensive) drivetrain components. As such, the upfront cost of a quality lube can save you money in the long term by extending the life of your chain, chainrings, and cassette. Still, chain lubes vary quite dramatically in price from around $2 an ounce up to over $40 an ounce. It is absolutely fair to wonder what makes some lubes so much more expensive than others and if the added cost is worth it.

While there is most definitely some science backing up the friction reduction and watt savings of some high-end lubes, we’re still talking about marginal gains that are of most interest to super high-performance riders and racers. Most people will be just as well served by a lube that costs less and performs nearly as well. That said, many of the higher-end lubes also happen to be the longest lasting, meaning that some of the higher cost is offset by less frequent applications.

Riding up a paved mountain road with a well lubed bike chain
Choosing the right chain lube and properly maintaining your drivetrain can lead to many miles of carefree riding while focusing on nothing but the road (or trail) ahead. (photo/Ben Guernsey)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need chain lube?

Think about all of the work that your bicycle chain does. It’s what makes your bike move forward, and every revolution of your pedals forces each chain link to click over hundreds of teeth on your chainring and cassette. You’re basically grinding metal on metal.

If the chain is dry, rusty, or coated with a layer of grime, it reluctantly creaks and grinds through each pedal stroke while the friction and contaminants slowly grind at the contact surfaces and cause all of the components, the chain, cassette, and chainring, to wear out.

Chain lube not only protects against corrosion, but it reduces friction to help keep that chain moving freely which can enhance efficiency and reduce the wear on your drivetrain. It helps to keep your drivetrain running smoothly and quietly and can extend the service life of all your drivetrain components.

How often do I need to apply chain lube?

Unfortunately, the answer here is “it depends.” There are various factors at play including the conditions you ride in and the lube you use. If your chain is looking or feeling gritty, or you’re starting to hear it squeak, that’s a good indicator that it’s time to clean and re-lube your chain. This may come after a single muddy, wet ride, or it could come after several hundred miles of dry riding. Paying close attention to how your drivetrain looks, feels, and sounds will be the best way to determine when it’s time to reapply.

How do I apply chain lube?

Most chain lubes won’t work well if you’re applying them incorrectly. Thankfully, it’s a pretty simple task, though it can be messy if you’re not careful. (Stay off white carpets while applying it.) There is some variability between types of lubes and brands, but most manufacturers provide recommendations to achieve the best results.

Start by cleaning and degreasing your chain (keep reading for tips on how to do that).

For oil-based lubes most experts recommend dripping a single drop of lube on each roller in the chain. Use the quick link as your starting and finishing point so you don’t do it twice! Let it sit for 30 seconds, then backpedal for 15-20 revolutions to allow the lube to sink in and penetrate the nooks and crannies of the chain. Once you’ve done that, take a clean rag and wipe down any excess lube before heading out the door. Don’t skip this step or you’ll instantly start to collect grime.

For drip-on wax-based lubes, it is recommended to apply it to a perfectly clean and dry chain (for the initial application) and to give the lube time to “cure” for up to 12 hours. This takes a little more forethought than just squirting some lube on the chain minutes before you head out for a ride, but typically it’s easy enough to apply the lube the night before and let it sit overnight so that it has adequate time to penetrate the chain’s internals and form a hardened protective layer.

Can I use chain lube as a cleaner or instead of a degreaser?

Often, people will skip the degreasing step and just lube the chain, counting on the lube and subsequent wipe-down to remove most of the built-up gunk. While this will quiet a chain, this is definitely not the best way to approach cleaning and lubing your drivetrain and may actually accelerate wear with more lube trapping more grit and contaminants. It does, however, depend on the type of lube you’re using, as a few brands claim that their products clean and lube the chain in one.

Even with those all-in-one lubes, like those from Rock N’ Roll or the Wolf Tooth WT-1, we feel it’s always best to start with a super clean chain and go from there. They are intended to push contaminants out as you ride, so you’ll want to be sure to wipe those away frequently to remove them from the system.

Since wax-based lubes don’t attract as much grit and tend to flake off a bit as you ride, you may only need to wipe down your chain unless you can feel grit trapped in there. In general, wax-based lubes don’t require as frequent of cleaning.

Most oil-based lubes aren’t designed to clean your chain (with the exception of the Wolf Tooth WT-1 Synthetic mentioned above). In fact, it can just end up creating a sludge that acts like liquid sandpaper and wears down your entire drivetrain faster, costing you more in the long run. Not to mention getting all over your socks, legs, walls, car…everything.

What’s the difference between wax and oil lube?

The more common oil-based lubricants are classic because they’re easy to use, and in most cases, they keep a chain running quietly and smoothly. But unless you’re regularly cleaning and degreasing your chain, oil lubricants are dirt magnets, attracting dust and grit as you pedal.

On the other hand, some cyclists might have experience using actual wax, which provides the same smooth and quiet riding experience without as much grime. Originally, waxing a chain required a labor-intensive wax melting process (and the use of a slow-cooker or saucepan). While it was cumbersome, the results couldn’t be matched by oil-based lubricants.

Thankfully, new technology has allowed for the development of wax lubricants in liquid, drip-on form, making them as easy to apply as their oil-based counterparts but with the longevity and friction-reducing benefits of wax. So, with drip-on wax-based lubes like Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower, Ceramic Speed UFO Drip, Silca Super Secret, and Squirt, you can get the best of both worlds.

Is there a time I should choose oil over wax lube?

If you’re riding inside on the trainer, you may want to stick to an oil-based lube. Wax sloughs off as it’s used, so you may end up with a carpet stained by “greasy” chunks of wax if you’re not careful.

And if your riding conditions are wet and sloppy, wet, oil-based lubes, especially those specifically designed for wet conditions, have traditionally been better to overcome the constant onslaught of rain, mud, slush, and grime. That said, in those conditions, you’ll want to be sure to clean your drivetrain and reapply lube more frequently.

Why are some lubes labeled as biodegradable?

It’s only in recent years that lube companies have shifted to looking for eco-friendly options. According to The Ecologist, many lubricants were made with environmentally unfriendly Teflon and petroleum distillates. More recently, many chain lube brands are striving to provide more environmentally friendly products that still perform just as well.

Think about how you wash your bike, near a storm drain or on the grass in your backyard, or how your chain lube may get into the soil if you’re out on a long ride. It seems like a minor thing, but finding a chain lube that is biodegradable is just a small way to help reduce your carbon footprint (or tire tread in this instance).

In addition to the environment, chain lubes that don’t include toxic chemicals are also better for our health. Getting a lube on your hands that’s made from sunflower seeds like Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower, for example, is much less concerning than one that contains PTFEs or other forever chemicals.

Why can’t I just use regular WD40?

Actual WD40 might seem like a substitute for chain lube since you use it to silence squeaky hinges or loosen tight bolts. But using WD40 as a lube on your chain is doing more harm than good: It acts as a degreaser, not a lubricant.

Use WD40 to clean your chain if you don’t have any Simple Green or your chain is so dirty that grease-fighting dish soap isn’t doing the trick, but we don’t recommend using it as a lubricant. (That said, the WD40 brand does make a chain lube that we recommend above.)

Can I use the same chain lube on all my bikes?

Yes. Your choice of chain lube should be more condition-dependent rather than bike-dependent. If you’re heading out on a wet or muddy ride, opt for wet chain lube. (Those tend to be popular with cyclocrossers.)

Ride in the desert? You’ll want a dry or wax-based chain lube to avoid a buildup of grit. If you bounce between settings or weather conditions, look for an all-around chain lube, though be prepared for frequent cleaning and reapplication, especially after particularly dusty or wet rides.

How do I switch from oil to wax-based lube?

If you’re making the switch to a wax-based lubricant, the same rules as above apply: Clean and degrease your chain first. But it’s even more important when making this switch since the oil lube and wax lube won’t mix well together, so you want your chain to be completely oil and contaminant-free before making the transition. (Even if you’re starting with a new chain, clean and degrease it, since new chains come coated in heavy grease.)

Are those expensive chain lubes worth it?

Depends. Like most things in life, as you reach the upper echelons of performance, the price increases exponentially faster than the benefits. The gains in watts savings and friction reduction are real, but they are marginal enough that it probably doesn’t really for the vast majority of riders.

So, while the performance gains are subtle, there are other benefits: Longevity and silence.

The Silca, absoluteBLACK, and CeramicSpeed lubes are among the quietest we’ve used. When we’re cruising along and can’t hear or feel our drivetrain, we trick ourselves into feeling like it’s faster. So there’s that subliminal benefit, too.

They’re also some of the cleanest and longest-lasting. And some have ingredients that better protect the drivetrain, extending its lifespan.

Bottom line: Yes, they’re better, but maybe only worth the price if you’ve already optimized everything else.

How do I properly clean my chain?

The best and most thorough way to clean your chain is to remove it, soak it in degreaser or mineral spirits for an hour (or overnight), then spray it down with fresh degreaser and scrub all sides of it with a toothbrush. Then maybe some soap and water, rinse it and allow it to completely dry (like in a low-temp oven or direct sunlight).

Yes, this takes time, but if you’re prepping for a big event, complete overhaul, or switching to one of the premium chain lubes mentioned here, it’s worth the effort.

Alternatively, chain cleaners like the Park Tool Chain Gang kit often get it “clean enough” without having to remove it. The kit comes with a cassette cleaning tool and degreaser, too.

If you’re really time-crunched, the Finish Line Speed Bicycle Chain Degreaser works so well it’s scary. It literally blasts grease and dirt off your chain, leaving nothing but bare metal. The downsides are it’s not biodegradable (but is at least ozone-friendly), and that all that grease and grime ends up getting blasted onto whatever’s behind the chain…which can be your bike, garage floor, etc…make sure it doesn’t spray onto your disc brakes!

Should I degrease a new chain before installing it?

Here’s where it gets funny…most chain manufacturers will say no, that the stock grease is perfectly fine. Most chain lube brands will tell you that grease is too thick and a magnet for dust and dirt that also prevents lube from penetrating properly. We’d agree on the latter (third-party testing backs that up, too) and recommend using the cleaning method above to completely clean your chain first if you want to get the best possible performance from a lube.

How can I extend the life of my chain?

Appropriate chain cleaning and lube reapplications will help elongate your chain’s lifespan. After every ride, give your chain and other drivetrain components a quick wipe-down to dry them off and remove buildup, especially if they got wet during your ride. This is even more important if you use a wet lube and ride in wet conditions frequently as mud, grit, and grime will get all over your chain. Consider the conditions you ride in, inspect your chain frequently, and clean and re-lube accordingly.

How much is too much chain lube?

Many riders over-lube their chains. Generally, if there’s anything more than a light coating of chain lube on the outside of the chain, you’re just wasting lubricant, and risking it getting into other parts of the bike including the brake surfaces or rotors. Excess lube also ends up on the teeth of your cassette, chainrings, and derailleur pulleys. It becomes difficult to properly clean your drivetrain, collects dirt, and accelerates wear on your cassette and chainrings.

Avoid this by wiping excess lube from the chain after applying, ensuring that it’s nearly or entirely dry to the touch. Remember, generally speaking, you only need to apply lube to the rollers on the chain. Again, following the manufacturer’s recommendations is always a good idea.

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Wolf Tooth adds ReMote Drop Bar Lever for Gravel Dropper Seatposts https://bikerumor.com/wolf-tooth-remote-drop-bar-lever/ https://bikerumor.com/wolf-tooth-remote-drop-bar-lever/#comments Wed, 07 Feb 2024 19:30:52 +0000 https://bikerumor.com/?p=352183 The new Wolf Tooth Components ReMote Drop Bar dropper seatpost lever gives you a premium option for getting down on your gravel bike.

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wolf tooth components drop bar dropper seatpost remote lever for gravel bikes

If you’re adding a mechanical dropper seatpost on your gravel bike and need a lever to actuate it, WTC has a new option. The new Wolf Tooth ReMote Drop Bar Lever lets you pull cable from any hand position. And it’s compatible with any standard drop bar and most mechanical dropper seatposts.

It mounts inside the bar, out of the way of your brake lever and front shifter (if you’re riding a 2x drivetrain). The design clamps around the drops, and the closure sits away from the lever to keep the thumb and finger paddles closer to the bar.

The lever rotates on two 11mm Enduro cartridge bearings, not bushings. This makes it super smooth, and super solid, with no flex when pushing or pulling.

The cable attaches with a bolt on the bottom of the pivot, and the end tucks in behind the front wing. All parts are available separately, too, sticking with their Right to Repair philosophy.

Weight is 37g, excluding cable and housing. They recommend adding an inline barrel adjuster, it doesn’t have on built in like their mountain bike ReMote dropper levers. MSRP $64.95, black only.

WolfToothComponents.com

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Three New Park Tools Help Home & Pro Mechanics with Modern eBikes https://bikerumor.com/new-park-tools-for-modern-ebikes/ https://bikerumor.com/new-park-tools-for-modern-ebikes/#respond Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:12:35 +0000 https://bikerumor.com/?p=351972 Bicycle-specific tool giant, Park Tools releases 3 new tools just for your eBike.

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Park Tools new eBike tools EWS-2 in action

This winter brings us some “new blue” for the home or professional bike wrench with Park Tools‘ February eBike-specific tool drop. These three new tools are the EWS-2 Bicycle Electronic Shift Tool, the LRT-5 Lock Ring Tool, and the SW-6 Spoke Wrench 3.7mm.

Park Tools has been making bicycle-specific tools for a while. A long while. They started in a lil’ Schwinn dealer called Hazel Park Radio and Bicycle shop in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 1956. With their trademark blue color, you’re sure to find them on just about every local bike shop or bike lover’s home workbench.

Today they launched a few new tools to help maintain the ever-growing amount of eBikes that are out there. Let’s go over the details.

The EWS-2

Retail: $9.99

Making quick business of removing bicycle electronic shifting wires and batteries, the WES-2 has a composite body that prevents scratching of expensive components.

The angled ends allow for the safe removal of Shimano Di2 E-tube EW-SD300 wires in tight spaces. The universal coin cell tool helps to remove and install battery covers on SRAM AXS and other electronic accessories.

Features:

  • Compatible with Shimano Di2 E-tube EW-SD300 wires (nominally 3mm OD connector)
  • Not compatible with Shimano Di2 E-tube EW-SD50 wires (nominally 5mm OD connector)

**Note: The new EWS-2 tool is offered in addition to the EWS-1 Electronic Shift Tool, it does not replace the EWS-1 as they are compatible with different wires.**

The LRT-5

Retail: $33.99

Just when you thought you had all the bottom bracket tools in the world, along come ebikes. Only instead of a BB tool, now you need a lockring tool – and specific lockring tools for different motors at that.

The new LRT-5 Lockring Tool is precisely machined for a perfect fit. Use the LRT-5 to remove or install the lockrings that retain direct-mount chainrings found on Fazua Ride 60 eBike drivetrains.

LRT-5 features a 3/8″ drive for across-the-board compatibility with most ratchets and torque wrenches. The LRT-5 sports 36mm wrench flats for use with an adjustable wrench or crowfoot. It is heat-treated and plated 4140 steel in its construction to ensure durability and long life.

Features:

  • Fits lockrings with a 41mm outside diameter and 16 notches including Fazua Ride 60 e-bike drivetrains.

The SW-6

Retail: $8.95

You may think that the SW-6 looks very familiar… and you’d be right. For the last 50 years, Park Tool’s iconic spoke wrenches have been a staple of their product lineup. The simple design and professional design is sure to continue to be the favorite of bike mechanics all over the world.

Ensuring a long service life, the SW-6 is made in the USA with heat-treated nickel plating. Like all of the Park Tool spoke wrenches, the SW-6 is dipped in colored vinyl by size. This helps you quickly find the size you need in that crowded toolbox drawer. It’s sized to fit 3.7mm spoke nipples that use wrench flats. Most hub-drive eBikes you this size nipple.

Features:

  • Sized for spoke nipples with 3.7 mm (0.146″) wrench flats
  • This nipple size can be found on most hub-drive e-bikes. **Always measure to be sure**

You can find more of Park Tool’s eBike-specific tools by hitting the link below.

ParkTool.com

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