Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to REVIEWS
review
Lubrication
Morgan Blue Race Oil RoadMorgan Blue Race Oil Road

Morgan Blue Race Oil Road

8
by Liam Cahill
UPDATED Mon, Sep 10, 2018 00:02

First Published Sep 9, 2018

9
£7.95

VERDICT:

8
10
Runs clean, protects well and applies easily
Weight: 
133g
Contact: 
www.windwave.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

This Morgan Blue Race Oil is a really good option for general riding and racing. It applies easily, runs clean and performs well in mixed conditions. You'll need to keep on top of maintenance, though, it's not one to just slap on and leave.

  • Pros: Runs clean yet protects well in the rain
  • Cons: The aerosol can version is better value

Once applied this lube leaves a highly waterproof lubricating film, and is designed for use in both dry and wet conditions.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

Morgan Blue states that prior to application you should strip the chain of dirt and old lubricant. That benefits the lubricant's ability to coat the chain and leave the protective film.

The drip applicator is good, allowing you to drip onto individual rollers. I prefer to apply in a smooth flow to the inner side of the chain by quickly rotating the pedals backwards. I do this with the chain on a keeper tool and the rear wheel removed. This tends to prevent oil buildup in the cassette. The lube is sticky and doesn't splatter onto the chainstay.

You're meant to leave the lubricant to dry for at least an hour before riding to allow the solvent time to vaporise. As I usually wash my bike post-ride, I was able to leave it overnight. It leaves a very thin film on the chain.

Out on the road, I found that this offers a little more noise damping compared with Squirt's Dry Wax. Shifting was also quiet and smooth.

The lube stays very clean in dry conditions but it will turn a bit black in the rain. Crucially, though, it still works well in the rain, and it's then easy to clean when you get home.

In terms of value, it's pretty good, and you can get hold of it at both local bike shops and online retailers. Its rrp of £7.95 for 125ml compares well with some – Pedro's Syn Lube is £8.99 for 100ml, and Muc-Off's Hydrodynamic Lube is £15.99 for 50ml – but it's harder to find Morgan Blue at the kind of discounts others are sold for online: you can get Finish Line Dry for £2.99 for 120ml and Muc-Off Dry for £3.99 for 120ml.

A better deal is the 400ml aerosol can version of the Race Oil for £10; it can be easily applied to the derailleur internals easily as well. The 400ml can I've been using has lasted me a whole race season of regular washing.

Verdict

Runs clean, protects well and applies easily

road.cc test report

Make and model: Morgan Blue Race Oil Road

Size tested: 125ml

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?

From Morgan Blue: "Professional, high-quality lubricant for all bike applications."

There is a good reason why a huge number of professional teams use Morgan Blue's products. They just work.

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

From Morgan Blue:

"Contains synthetic additives to help reduce friction, obtain a smoother gear shift and extend the life of lubricated parts. For use in summer, in dry and wet weather conditions."

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

The bottle is easy to open. You get a slow drip of oil or a smooth flow if you give the bottle a squeeze. The oil won't flick everywhere either.

Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

Quiet, smooth and clean. Lovely performance.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Lasts well in dry conditions. Protects well in the wet but it'll need cleaning off and reapplying after a good soaking.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

There are cheaper options out there for this size, but do they work as well? There are also more expensive. The larger spray can version is much better value.

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

Provided smooth, quiet shifting and stayed clean for a good while. I got just under two weeks of dry riding before it rained and I had to clean and reapply.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

It runs very clean in the dry and protects the chain in the wet.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The spray can version is much better value.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

The rrp is similar, but other dry lubes can be found discounted more heavily online – some about half of this.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Works really well in both wet and dry conditions while being easy to apply and also clean off, but it's better value if you buy the aerosol version.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 24  Height: 177cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Di2  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, I specialise in the Cafe Ride!

Add new comment

9 comments

Avatar
gunswick | 5 years ago
0 likes

Agreed about rock n roll gold, easily the best lube, use all year round.

Avatar
check12 | 5 years ago
0 likes

rock n roll gold, once you’ve gone gold you never go back. 

Avatar
StraelGuy | 5 years ago
0 likes

 I've tried this on my winter bike and it's very good but it does attract muck so i switched to Pedro's Syn lube. I disagree about any pretense at being a dry lube by the way, it's a plain old hydrocarbon wet lube.

Avatar
Marmarisboy | 5 years ago
0 likes

I use the Morgan Blue Syn lube when conditions turn a bit damp, and find it spot on. During the summer, I use Squirt  lube. I should add that i’ve tried most lubes, and find this summer/winter combination works for me.

Avatar
Nixster | 5 years ago
0 likes

I do like it and use it all the time...

 

It's not a 'dry lube' like the ones where most of the liquid evaporates after application, so somewhere between wet and dry if that makes sense, more like a traditional oil in use. 

It does go black pretty quickly (it's only drawback) but keeps working even so and longevity is good I think.  Keeps working even in wet conditions.  Not sure how it would gunk up your chain to the extent that it wouldn't pedal backwards - don't think a lube can be held entirely responsible there.

Applying a single drop to each roller then wiping off makes it easy to apply I think.  Haven't encountered anything better but might give Rolls Pro a go!

Avatar
Scoob_84 | 5 years ago
0 likes

I find it seems quite wet for a dry lube. But performance wise its good, and can cope with wet weather quite well. 

Avatar
EM69 | 5 years ago
2 likes

Yet to find anything better than Pro-Gold although its becoming more difficult to find in the UK...

Avatar
risoto | 5 years ago
0 likes

I don't like it and will never buy it again. It's a relatively 'fat' oil, difficult to apply as the bottle is very stiff to squeeze, often you miss oil on some links so you have to double check.

The worst: the chain gets very dirty very quickly and I almost only ride in dry weather. This means a lot of gunk sitting everywhere. I had one chain I suddenly couldn't pedal backward due to gunk in the rear derailleur and the pulley wheels. So you need to clean the chain frequently.

Although it's a fat oil, you still have to re-apply it rather frequently. It's probably ok for wet weather, but with all the other 'dry' lubes I've tried, I've never had a problem riding in the rain.

Avatar
cro2 replied to risoto | 5 years ago
0 likes
risoto wrote:

I don't like it and will never buy it again. It's a relatively 'fat' oil, difficult to apply as the bottle is very stiff to squeeze, often you miss oil on some links so you have to double check.

The worst: the chain gets very dirty very quickly and I almost only ride in dry weather. This means a lot of gunk sitting everywhere. I had one chain I suddenly couldn't pedal backward due to gunk in the rear derailleur and the pulley wheels. So you need to clean the chain frequently.

Although it's a fat oil, you still have to re-apply it rather frequently. It's probably ok for wet weather, but with all the other 'dry' lubes I've tried, I've never had a problem riding in the rain.

 

I've been using Morgan Blue lubes for 2 years now for training and racing in all conditions, and I really mean all - dry, wet, freezing, snowing. I've been veary pleased with their products, having tried Squirt, Shimano and others prior to MB. I agree that Race Oil gets black quick, but try Rolls Pro - much thicker lube which does not attract dirt as fast. I don't know the drag figures for Rolls Pro, but Race Oil was very high in the Friction Facts test if I recall properly.

Latest Comments