Lubrication

Wonder lubes come in all colours these days, promising ever longer service intervals but White Lightning Crystal Clear Grease is more interesting than most.

Motorex White Grease has been a product that stirs mixed emotions in me. On the one hand its tenacity and buttery smooth effect is perfect for bearing surfaces-headsets, hubs, pedals and bottom brackets being the obvious candidates. Then again, at eighteen quid, it's a good deal more expensive than equally stubborn and moreover, seal friendly synthetics.

Motorex Bike Grease 2000 is a translucent, semi-fluorescent yellowy green unguent that reminds us a great deal of the stuff you find hiding in the threads of new Shimano components. It's proved itself to be extremely tenacious and is a good choice for high-wear applications and exposed locations.

Keep your undercarriage smooth and saddle sore free with Qoleum's Qfriction Antifriction chamois cream.

Qoleum's Qfriction Antifriction O is a natural petroleum-jelly based ointment that reduces friction and rubbing where the chamois of your shorts meets your body.

Motorex dry lube is a semi synthetic blend of wax and synthetic oils that has proved phenomenally long-lived despite the winter's characteristically hostile conditions and the fact there hasn't been much dry to test it in. Even in the wet it's tenaciously stuck to the chain without becoming a gritty, transmission chewing mess. Oh and I've just passed three hundred miles on a single helping…

Motorex Bike Shine Hi Protecting Formula is the answer to busy riders' prayers, extending intervals between bucket washes.

On the face of things, there's nothing particular about the ingredients, essentially we've a silicone product and solvent carrier but the Swiss brand's years of petrochemical experience ensures a glossy, dirt-repelling sheen.

In common with most aerosol products, the solvent component serves to keep the mixture sprayable, while powerful cleaning agents prime the host surface.

By Jove! Two hundred miles on one dose of Fenwicks Stealth Road Bike lube and I'm starting to appreciate what all the fuss is about. It's like none I've used before.

It's probably closest to a light ceramic in terms of serenity and durability but considerably cleaner. That said, getting the best from it requires methodical application.

WD40 Specialist fact acting degreaser will gobble through anything remotely lube based it comes into contact with.

Drivetrains are the most obvious candidates followed by bearings and contact points but it also makes short work of Waxoyl and similarly medieval potions used to preserve treasured framesets. However, in common with these substances, its environmental credentials are a little lacking so store in cool settings far from the grasp of children and pets.

WD40 400ml High Performance PTFE Lubricant is precisely that, a beefed up dressing to tackle those awkward situations where grease is too stodgy but traditional water displacers are just too thin. The most surprising characteristic was its success as a spring/summer weight chain lube and makeshift preserve on thin walled steel framesets.

Aside from the usual cautions, there's little information on the back of the can, other than to say it incorporates PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) for reduced friction and therefore smooth running.

Effetto Mariposa Carbo Grip is a high-tech assembly compound for components made from carbon and other composites. Parts like carbon fibre handlebars respond badly to over-tightening but need to remain rock steady. Carbo Grip holds them in place even at the relatively low torques these parts need.