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Lubrication
Muc-Off Dry Lube Chain Wax with PTFEMuc-Off Dry Lube Chain Wax with PTFE

Muc-Off Dry Lube Chain Wax with PTFE

7
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published May 21, 2014

4
£10.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Very versatile, clean running lube but needs careful use to get the very best from it
Weight: 
369g
Contact: 
www.muc-off.com
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Muc-Off Dry Lube Chain Wax With PTFE is a middleweight fair-weather multi-purpose lube designed primarily for chains, yet versatile enough to keep cleat mechanisms, derailleurs and shifters happy too. However, while a pressurised aerosol is undeniably convenient, ours required careful deployment to avoid intermittent delivery or rear wheels and patios sporting sticky purple spots.

Bike shop shelves heave under the weight of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based potions. Some are richer than others but all employ a solvent carrier that serves to traffic the main ingredient, priming the surface before evaporating leaving that friction busting lubricant behind.

It needs a few minutes before it's ready to use, unlike the several-hour curing time of some ceramic lubes, and it's worth giving the can 40 seconds of vigorous shaking before you start.

The result is super low friction running. Shifts were noticeably lighter and snappier as was getting into and out of pedals. It's a world of difference from even the most exotic wet formulas.

Cleanliness is another definite boon. Chain and chainrings and derailleur cages collect markedly less dirt, which saves time and ultimately money. Like many wax-based dry lubes, the wax seems to absorb minor dirt and then fall away in thin scabs, so you don't accumulate parts-destroying grinding paste.

I got 160 miles use per application in dry to drizzly conditions, dropping to 85 with more persistent rain. That's pretty much par for this particular type of lube. Ceramic types are a much better bet through April showers, won't require post wash reapplication and remain my preference for hub, fixed and single speed transmissions.

Verdict

Very versatile, clean running lube but needs careful use to get the very best from it.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Muc-Off Dry Lube Chain Wax with PTFE

Size tested: 400ml (50ml also sent £4)

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"Muc-Off Dry PTFE Chain Lube is formulated to hold up to the extreme pressures that are applied to modern drive chains. This highly versatile, dry weather chain lube has superior penetrative qualities that ensure every part of the chain link is completely lubricated. Our advanced 'Dry Formula' creates a clean, durable and protective chain wax layer that inhibits rust development and chain link corrosion. The added PTFE creates exceptionally low surface friction to provide incredible drive chain efficiency without attracting contaminants. It's clean, and it's easy to use!" No quibble here-does exactly what it says on the tin

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Dry, waxy PTFE based formula with solvent carrier.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

I really liked the lightweight, super slick properties and it's rather good on cleats and similar areas that mustn't attract dirt but need something beefier than traditional water displacing PTFE products. Nonetheless, its ceramic dry cousin offers greater staying power so long as you didn't mind a four hour curing period.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Slick, convenient and versatile.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Needs careful application and regular agitation.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly for late spring/summer duties.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? In the above context, yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Muc-Off Dry Lube Chain Wax with PTFE
Muc-Off
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

Add new comment

4 comments

Avatar
Obion | 10 years ago
0 likes

Yes, and its way easier to apply it..

http://muc-off.com/lube/31-biodegradable-dry-chain-lube-5037835866001.html

Avatar
Obion | 10 years ago
0 likes

You have to be very careful when spraying the lube not to spray it on the wheel/rim.. otherwise you will find yourself spending time later to remove all the dust from it..

Avatar
mrmo replied to Obion | 10 years ago
0 likes
Obion wrote:

You have to be very careful when spraying the lube not to spray it on the wheel/rim.. otherwise you will find yourself spending time later to remove all the dust from it..

wait till you get lube on disc rotors....

For those looking forward to discs a word of advice, NEVER EVER get gt85 or similar anywhere near the rotors or pads, I tend to find that your pads are screwed and never really work afterwards!

Avatar
Initialised replied to mrmo | 10 years ago
0 likes
mrmo wrote:
Obion wrote:

You have to be very careful when spraying the lube not to spray it on the wheel/rim.. otherwise you will find yourself spending time later to remove all the dust from it..

wait till you get lube on disc rotors....

For those looking forward to discs a word of advice, NEVER EVER get gt85 or similar anywhere near the rotors or pads, I tend to find that your pads are screwed and never really work afterwards!

Hmmm... I find that going through the bedding in procedure for new pads does the trick if you just get a little on the rotor.

Also is this available as a can of wax for traditional chain waxing?

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