Bicycle Chain Lubes

Ceramically Reinforced Lubricant is a Finish Line exclusive. Pro Road features synthetic base oils that have been ceramically reinforced to deliver optimum cycling performance. Pro Road is a wet style lubricant that features patented chemistry to cushion the chain and minimize drivetrain friction and noise. As the chain becomes fully coated with submicron ceramic particles, frictional drag is reduced., the transmission of power to crank to rear wheel is improved, and the lubrication interval is significantly increased. And because dirt will not easily stick to a ceramic coating, Pro Road runs surprisingly clean for a wet-style lube. This higher priced lubricant is perfect for competitive and technology-driven cyclists.

Dry Lubes are those that go on wet, penetrate, and then set up in a dry state. Finish Line DRY Lube made with Teflon® fluoropolymer was the first lube of this type. It has become the best-selling dry lube in the bicycle market.

By setting up in a non-liquid state, a Dry Lube does not attract dirt to the drivetrain. You can ride through some pretty dusty, dirty conditions and the drivetrain will not turn into a greasy, grimy mess of grinding paste.

The disadvantage of Dry Lubes: they have low water resistance and will wear quickly in rainy conditions or on rides with multiple deep stream crossings. The hot tip with a dry lube is to lube the night before your ride, to allow the lube to fully set up and dry so you have minimum dirt attraction during your ride.

A Wet Lube is a traditional oily lube that goes on wet and stays wet. It features excellent water resistance, film strength and long-lasting performance. Finish Line’s WET Lubricant is regarded by many to be the best of the Wet Lubes.

A Wet Lube will also perform better in muddy, off-road conditions because it will hold out more of the mud and crud due to its high water resistance.

With a Wet Lube, when you suspect that you will be riding in dry, dusty conditions, always wipe down the outside of the chain, removing any excess lube to minimize the accumulation of dirt into the drivetrain.

Wax Lubes are great for those who don’t want to clean their chains. Some, like Finish Line’s WAX lubricant, are so dry that you can rub your leg or sleeve against them and they will not leave a stain. Used properly, you’ll rarely ever have to clean your chain again.

The key is frequent application. Each Wax Lube application actually cleans, flushes, and relubes. The lube goes on wet, but dries to a dry, hard wax. Dirt, dust and grime won’t stick to a wax lube. what contaminants do settle onto the chain are shed by the natural flaking action of the Wax Lube, or are easily flushed off during the next lube application.

Wax lubes have two disadvantages: first, Wax lubes require frequent application, every 50 to 150 miles depending upon conditions. second, they do not last long in rain, wet muddy conditions or through frequent deep stream crossings.