| With all the bicycle lubricants on the market today, | | | | conditions. |
| are you having trouble deciding which type to use on | | | | Advantages: Dry lubricants prevent dirt from sticking |
| your mountain bike chain? Should you buy a drip or | | | | to the chain and do not get as messy as wet lubes. |
| aerosol? Should you use a wet, dry, or wax lube? | | | | The key to using a dry bicycle lubricant is to put it on |
| The following are some suggestions for choosing the | | | | several hours before you ride so it dries and does |
| right type of bike lube for your bicycle chain. | | | | not collect dirt when riding. |
| Drip vs. Aerosol Bike Lube | | | | Disadvantages: Dry bike lubes Wash off and have to |
| Bicycle lubricants come in either a drip or aerosol | | | | be reapplied if you are doing lots of stream crossings |
| application. I recommend the drip application because | | | | or riding in wetter conditions. |
| it is easier to get the lube directly on the necessary | | | | Wax lubes: Leaves a wax coating on the bicycle |
| parts of the bicycle chain. The spray lube gets on | | | | chain. Another option for dry conditions |
| other parts of the bicycle, which just collects more | | | | Advantages: A wax coating causes the dirt to flake |
| dust and grime while riding. | | | | off the chain so it does not have to be cleaned as |
| Types of Bike Lube | | | | frequently. This is a good alternative if you are |
| There are several different types of bike lubes on | | | | meticulous about keeping your chain clean and if your |
| the market. It is important to choose the right kind | | | | chain does not get wet often. |
| of bicycle lubricant to match the conditions you ride | | | | Disadvantages: Wax lube has to be applied more |
| in. The following gives you an idea of which types of | | | | frequently than oil lubes and does not work well in |
| bike lubes are best for certain riding conditions: | | | | wet or muddy conditions. There is some controversy |
| Wet lubes: This type of lube goes on wet and stays | | | | as to whether wax lubes are as good for your |
| wet. This lube is great for riding in wet, muddy, or | | | | bicycle chain as oil lubes because the wax is not |
| winter riding conditions or if you will be doing many | | | | believed to get in between the necessary moving |
| stream crossings. | | | | parts as well as oil lubes. |
| Advantages: This type of bicycle lubricant does not | | | | Important Tips: |
| wash off when it gets wet and you do usually not | | | | There are many different brands of bicycle lubricants |
| have to apply it as often as the dry or wax | | | | on the market. Some riders like to use their own |
| lubricants if you ride in wet conditions. | | | | concoctions or products on the market that are not |
| Disadvantages: Wet lubes can be messy if you ride in | | | | specifically made for bicycle chains. If you decide to |
| certain types of conditions. For example, you will get | | | | do this, do some research to make sure they will not |
| an oily black residue on your mountain bike chain if | | | | damage your chain. WB40, for example, is not a |
| you ride in dry dusty conditions. It is also more | | | | good lubricant for your bike chain. |
| difficult to clean the chain than is the case with other | | | | It is important that you have a clean mountain bike |
| lubes. | | | | chain before you apply bicycle lube to it. If it is dirty, |
| Dry lubes:This bicycle lubricant goes on wet and then | | | | the lube will work the dirt into the moving parts of |
| dries. Dry lubes are great for riding in dry dusty | | | | the chain, which accelerates chain wear. |