Guitar Ted Lube-Off: Stan's Polar Drip Wax Lubricant

  NOTICE:  The Guitar Ted 'Lube-Off' is a comparison of different lubrication products for bicycle chains that is undertaken in 'real world' conditions in a set way. Then I compare and contrast the results with past 'Lube-Off' products to see "which one is best for me". This is done for entertainment purposes and the reader should apply their own reasoning and discernment while reading my 'Lube-Off' entries. What works for me may not work for you at all.

 NOTE: Stan's sent over a bottle of their Polar Drip Wax to Guitar Ted Productions at no charge for test and review purposes. Stan's is not bribing or paying Guitar Ted for this review. All opinions are Guitar Ted's.

Image courtesy of Stan's

 Introduction:

Okay folks! If you've been following along with my Lube-Off posts this late Summer/early Fall, you've noted the "super-secret" lube I wasn't able to reveal....until today! Yes - It's Stan's Polar Drip Wax. 

What It Is: Stan's has developed a plant-based, biodegradable chain lubricant which is in the class of chain lubricants which seeks to do the same or similar job as a complete chain wax job without the hassle of removing the chain and dipping it in a pot full of molten wax. 

A waxed chain has proven to be more efficient and thus saves watts over most other forms of lubricating a bicycle chain. Drip wax lubricants seek to eliminate a few steps which wax-potting a chain requires. Stan's now offers this Polar Drip Wax as a way to get waxed chain results without the hassles.

Polar Drip Wax is a 'polar bonding formula', according to Stan's.  'Polar' as in 'polarity', not ultra-cold. This bonding technique is paired with a water based carrier which leads Polar Drip Wax into all the nooks and crannies of your chain. Once the water evaporates, a thin film of wax bonds to the chain both chemically and mechanically to provide smooth chain operation. 

Stan's also recommends pairing this Polar Drip Wax with Stan's BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner ahead of the chain lube. BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner is said to be very good at cleaning the chain, (it is), and that it leaves a thin film behind which is claimed to enhance the properties of Polar Drip Wax. I'll have more to say about this later, but you can read my review of BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner HERE if you'd like more detail. 

Application:

I'm going to share how Stan's recommends this lubricant be applied and then I will discuss why I have done some modification to their recommendations. First, a bullet-point list from Stan's:

• Prime: Stan’s Biobased Drivetrain Cleaner safely strips new chains and leaves a residual polar film, improving penetration and bonding without using harsh solvents
• Apply: drip Polar Drip Wax™onto chain, covering every link. 
• Penetrate: Drip Wax’s aqueous emulsion carries polar wax molecules into the chain’s rollers and pins at ambient temperature.  
• Second Coat: a second coat of Drip Wax can be applied after 5-minuteso 
• Bond: amphiphilic molecules electrostatically attract to steel, anchoring to the chain’s surface rather than just coating it 
• Cure: water evaporates, leaving a dry, matte wax film that resists contaminant pickup

I will note here, in case you missed my review of the BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner, that Stan's recommends BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner be rinsed off with water. I find this problematic as introducing water into the tight spaces of the chain results in a higher chance of corrosion, unless you blow-dry the chain in situ (messy, loud), or take the chain off and dry it using whatever method you choose there, (defeats the purpose of the Polar Drip Wax - you may as well dunk the chain in hot wax at this point).

So, I tried wiping off as much of the degreaser as I could, but it never was really dry, and it fouled the lube, actually.I was seeing wet residue on the chain after rides and this was attracting dirt, dust, and grime. No good!

Ultimately I ended up stripping the chain again and using Finish Line degreaser which left the chain dry and very clean. Then I applied the Stan's Polar Drip Wax as recommended. I did not apply a second coating. 

Following are some other key features and specs behind the Polar Drip Wax:

•  Longevity: 200+ miles / 322+ kilometers
• Weather:  All conditions –Stan’s Drip Wax performs in all weather 
• Size: 120ml / 4ozPackagingBottle made from 100% recycled sea plastic.
• Formula: 100% plant-based, biodegradable ingredients. No petroleum.
• Source: Manufactured in-house in the USA.
• MSRP: $18 / €18/ £18

Impressions:

Appearance of the drive train after several test rides.

Besides the de-greasing fiasco, this lubricant seems to be as advertised so far. I have only ridden in dry conditions on a multitude of surfaces including pavement, decomposed gravel, dirt, and typical loose rock gravel such as we have here in Iowa. 

A quick note on "gravel types": I have found some companies which propose "classes of gravel" to guide folks into making choices in components/bikes for gravel. Some tire testing is defined by "gravel type" as well. 

While it may make sense to classify, (put in a box) gravel conditions by type, I find this to be not true in practice and misleading at best. I can do a short ride and encounter three different "types" of gravel easily. Add in having to ride to and from gravel on pavement and dirt (alleys), and defining "gravel" by type is essentially meaningless. There is a reason "all-roads" is my preferred way to define what we do on these "gravel" bikes. 

Okay, with that out of the way, I was impressed by the Polar Dry Wax product in that it seems to keep my drive train clean, and it is quiet as well. Shifting is great. I have been pleasantly surprised by how Polar Drip Wax has performed so far. Longevity has yet to be tested, but as of now I see no reason not to believe Stan's claims for this lubricant. 

I blame the degreaser for this residue.

Touch-Test:

The Touch-Test is where I run my finger across the inner run of the chain and see what comes off the chain. I also gauge how slick the chain feels. 

Polar Drip Wax feels very slippery yet, but I am getting a bit more residue than the very best chain lubes I have tried.  I will note though that this dirt/dust seems to be mostly on the side plates of the chain, not from the rollers, which is better if I see anything on my finger. 

So Far... 

I'm impressed with the Polar Drip Wax. It certainly ranks right up there with the very best I've used so far. (SILCA Super-Secret v1, Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower Wax) I'm going to monitor this lube closely over Fall riding and I will compare and contrast to my other lubricants in this session of the Lube-Off. 

For now, I would not hesitate to recommend this new Polar Dry Wax with the caveat that I - personally - would not use the Stan's Drivetrain Cleaner as a way to prep the chain. I do like the Drivetrain Cleaner, but since it does not come dry after usage and needs to be rinsed with water, I am relegating its use to when I pull components off my bike for cleaning. 

As for Polar Drip Wax, I feel confident it is going to put my previous best chain lubes on notice. We will see how things end up in a couple of months. Stay tuned..... 

Tomorrow: An update on that other 'Super-Secret' lube.  

The Guitar Ted Lube-Off 2026: SILCA Super-Secret v2 Update 1

 NOTICE:  The Guitar Ted 'Lube-Off' is a comparison of different lubrication products for bicycle chains that is undertaken in 'real world' conditions in a set way. Then I compare and contrast the results with past 'Lube-Off' products to see "which one is best for me". This is done for entertainment purposes and the reader should apply their own reasoning and discernment while reading my 'Lube-Off' entries. What works for me may not work for you at all. 

This update on the testing will focus on the SILCA Super-Secret v2 lubricant. The cleaning procedure and application procedure will be covered in this update. The next update will have the first ride impressions. 

There was a hiccup with the test, and it relates to a product I tried which I reviewed HERE. I'll get into all of what this entails here soon, but first let's dig into this new version of the previous Lube-Off winner, the Super Secret wax based lubricant. 

What It Is: Super Secret lube was developed around six to seven years ago. SILCA was asked by some of the Pro teams they sponsor to revisit this product with the aim to update it. Specifically SILCA was asked to increase the wet weather performance of its original formula. 

SILCA took this feedback, and other feedback from Pro riders, to Purdue University. Over the course of a couple of years of research and development, SILCA now believes it has improved Super-Secret to a level at which they claim the new formula actually works as well as a waxed chain. 

First of all, SILCA did not change the ingredients of Super-Secret, but through their work at Purdue University, they were able to maximize the ingredients to be better at what each ingredient does. So much so that SILCA has now dubbed this as their version 2 of the lubricant.  

It has some pretty heady claims, this Super-Secret v2. Slicker, faster, and longer lasting. And that wet weather performance was improved greatly. So, the expectation here is that Super-Secret will now separate itself from the Flowerpower lubricant I tested in the last Lube-Off. In those tests, the Flowerpower was very close in performance to the original Super-Secret formula. 

Super-Secret v2 comes in 2oz, 4oz, and 8oz bottles at $16.00, $25.00, and $45.00 respectively. Hit the link above to see more details on this lubricant or to purchase some. (I am not affiliated with SILCA in any way.) 

Cleaning and Application Process: 

The Super-Secret v2 has been applied to the XLBird, (after I cleaned it!)

 SILCA requests the lube be put on a clean chain. I tried using the Stan's degreaser product, but it would not dry up, and since I did not want to use water to rinse it out, (this would have required I use something to drive out the water), I ended up going back to square one and using Finishline's Speed Degreaser which off-gasses to leave no moisture or residue. Then I shook the bottle vigorously and applied a single dollop of the lubricant on each chain roller. 

After this I back-pedaled the bike for one minute. SILCA requires the rider to alow the bike to sit for at least four hours. I let it cure overnight. 

The result was a dry chain with a slick feel to it. Perfect! Pretty much exactly how Super-Secret has always worked. So, for now it is smooth sailing and ride testing will commence. 

Impressions So Far: 

I think the application process is easy once you get past cleaning the chain, which can be a hassle if you've not cleaned your chain for a while. A clean chain is paramount to achieving good results, so I was picky about this. 

Disregarding the day I lost due to using the wrong degreaser product, I'd give this lube high marks for ease of application. Even the curing time is reasonable. So, top of the charts on this part of the test from my perspective.  

Next On The Lube-Off:

I'm actually going to throw things back to last year's testing and give you all a final word on a lubricant from that round of the Lube-Off. Look for that this coming week. 

Then I'm going to delve into the Flowerpower lube and give you a refresher on how this lubricant has performed, its application procedure, and what I liked and did not like about it. 

In that same post I will also go over the original Super-Secret lube. As for our new, "SECRET" lubricant, I am not allowed to speak about it until September 1st. My hope is that I can give a very comprehensive look at that lube in one shot. I may even have a winner identified by this point, if rides can be strung together with enough mileage to warrant a final verdict. 

So, stay tuned for all of that! September will be here before ya know it, and this Lube-Off promises to be a pretty intense competition. 
 

 

Guitar Ted Lube-Off 2026

  NOTICE:  The Guitar Ted 'Lube-Off' is a comparison of different lubrication products for bicycle chains that is undertaken in 'real world' conditions in a set way. Then I compare and contrast the results with past 'Lube-Off' products to see "which one is best for me". This is done for entertainment purposes and the reader should apply their own reasoning and discernment while reading my 'Lube-Off' entries. What works for me may not work for you at all. 

The Guitar Ted Lube-Off 2026:

Welcome to another totally unscientific look at what lubricant passes my tests to see what chain lube works best on dusty Iowa gravel roads. 

Over the years technology has changed tremendously in terms of chain lubricants. Early on it was the old petroleum based lubes that were tested alongside some chemical stews which then kind of took over for a while. Now things have moved on from there to wax based lubricants with a lot less environmental concerns.  

A Note About Chain Waxing: You may wonder why I will not test chain waxing procedures and products. I'll tell you why - It's more hassle, more equipment, and I don't want to do it. So, while taking off a chain and dipping it in some waxy soup might be better, (more on that in a minute), it is not easier than just cleaning the chain and lubing the chain while it is on the bike. 

I like "easy". I also like spending less money. Maybe I'm a weirdo..... 

 This season I am sort of continuing 2025's Lube-Off and melding it in with two newer contenders. One is the new Super-Secret v2 lubricant from SILCA. One is actually now truly"super-secret" as it hasn't been released yet to the public. I cannot show you this lube .......yet. The embargo on that lubricant lifts in about a month from now. However; I am already using it, so I'll have plenty to say about it in September. 

Image courtesy of SILCA

The Contenders:

The aforementioned SECRET lube, which I cannot talk about yet. It's on a bike I have already. Stay tuned for more on it.

The new Super-Secret v2 lube from SILCA. It is an "improvement in every way" over the original Super-Secret lube. I also already have this lube and it is also already on a bike I have here. 

Original Super-Secret from SILCA. Of course, the previous Lube-Off king has to be in this test. Of course, it also is already on a bike I own. 

Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower wax lubricant. I've said this one is so close to Super-Secret lube that it may as well be also a top choice for gravel in dry conditions. Yes, you guessed it, it's already on one of the bikes here. 

Expectations: 

I have a goal of getting 300 miles on the new lubes and whatever I can get on the old contenders. I already know what I have in the older test lubes, so getting a ton of miles in on those isn't a huge deal. But yeah, I want some reference which will be fresh in my mind to remind me what I liked about those lubricants. 

I then expect to uncover which lubricant was best at keeping the chain clean, the cassette clean, the jockey wheels clean, and still is slippery and making my chain "fast".  It should be noted that SILCA claims its newest Super-Secret formula is "just as fast" as waxing a chain in a pot. So, if true, it would be another reason to avoid all that fuss and clutter. 

The Process:

Each chain will be cleaned with Stan's BioBased Degreaser. It's a fairly new product which I have found recently. It does a pretty good job of cleaning a chain on the bike. Using the same degreaser for all the contenders will keep the playing field even. 

Then I will ride each contender in dusty gravel in and around Waterloo, Iowa where I live. The dust here gets into every nook and cranny of a bike and so I know it will challenge each lubricant to the maximum of its capabilities and its claims of performance by the brands. 

In the end, I look for cleanliness. A clean chain, jockey wheels, and cassette mean a faster drive train. IF the lubricant can keep the chain clean, and IF it can do this while still lubricating the chain, that lube is a winner. 

The application process will also be judged alongside these other concerns. Reapplication intervals also matter. SILCA is also claiming the new v2 Super-Secret is able to withstand wet conditions as well. So maybe I'll do a bit of extra testing to see about this. The other lubricants definitely do not hold up in the wet.  

Then whatever process each brand requires for application will be followed. And there are some varied asks of the user to apply the different lubes. So I think you readers will find that part interesting. Then it will just be the riding and hopefully by sometime mid-Fall I'll have results to share. 

So there you go! Stay tuned for the next update on installation for the SILCA, Effetto Mariposa, and the "SECRET" lube, (September update), soon. 

Friday News And Views

Teravail Cannonball 32"ers Available:

Image courtesy of Teravail

The 32" wheel introductions have most often been focused on MTB product. However; gravel usage has been teased by several manufacturers and now we have a true gravel component in 32" diameter. The first "gravel" tire for 32'ers is the Teravail Cannonball. 

The Cannonball design was intentionally focused on gravel usage, so while this tire in a 2.2" width may strike some as still being XC MTB focused, it is by design intentions a gravel tire. 

The 32" Cannonball features Teravail's Superstructure Casing which is made up of extra-fine, hardened Nylon fibers to help reduce punctures but retain a supple riding casing. The rubber compound is Teravail's Fast Plus which is claimed to be Teravail's fastest rolling rubber compound in their range. 

You can check out either the tan wall or black wall version of the 32" Cannonball by clicking HERE. 

From Wilde Bicycle Co. social media.

32"er News From Wilde Bicycle Co. 

Seen on social media this week: A Wilde Bicycle Co. post teasing a new, as yet unreleased 32"er MTB XC bike. The post indicated this is a test mule for possible future production. 

There were no concrete dates or timelines given as Wilde wants to wait on a suitable suspension fork to test the frame with. 

Comments: Again, 32"ers are being jumped on by smaller, more agile companies which don't have to wait on production lines to be geared up for large runs. 

Although, I have heard through the grapevine that current factory production is not anywhere near maximum levels, and this may also play into how smaller companies have been able to push smaller production runs through for 32"ers. 

However this plays out, my theory is that there is a small amount of 32"er curious, bike nerdy folks who are possible sales targets for 32" wheels and once those folks have their bikes? I think any sort of larger, general cycling population being interested in 32"ers won't be as eager to bite on the unknown. Big brands who aren't going to have 32"ers out until late this year or early in 2027 may find the 32"er market has satisfied their appetite for this wheel size by buying from the smaller companies who were able to pivot to 32"ers more quickly. 

And I could be completely off my rocker. We will see.......
 

Image courtesy of SILCA

SILCA Announces Super-Secret v2 Lubricant:

SILCA Super-Secret lubricant has always fared quite well in my "Guitar Ted Lube-Off" tests and it is my current go-to lubricant for my gravel bikes. It does exceptionally well in dry gravel conditions. However; it wasn't all that great in the wet and so I never really trusted it for Spring, Winter, or if things got wet at any time of the year. 

SILCA has now upped its game with Super-Secret v2 lubricant. The claim is that it is faster, longer lasting, and holds up even in wet conditions. So, I bought some and it will be here shortly. Look for more "Guitar Ted Lube-Off" content soon!

And speaking of the Lube-Off, I last updated the testing HERE.  That was later into last year. I haven't been lax in testing since then, I just haven't updated anything here yet. This will certainly change, obviously, with the new Super-Secret v2 coming here soon. 

 I also have another lube which just arrived and is not yet on the open market. I will be testing it as well. So, this new Lube-Off should be interesting and pitted against the old contenders. Those include Super-Secret v1, the Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower wax lube, and Stan's Dry Lubricant. This Lube-Off should prove to reveal the best lubricant ever for gravel riding. 

I know.....big claim. But I think it will be true, and I am excited to try out these two new lubricants over the end of Summer and into Fall. Stay tuned..... 

New Dura Ace C-50 (mage courtesy of Shimano)

 Do New Dura Ace Wheels Point To What Could Come For Gravel?

On Wednesday Shimano released the poorly held secret that they have new Dura Ace carbon wheels available now. 

These are a range of rim depths and a rear disc wheel for road, triathlon, and perhaps cyclo cross usage. They don't have current "fashionable" inner rim widths for gravel. 

However; what we do see are carbon fiber spokes. The total wheel weight for the 50mm deep Dura Ace wheels (shown) is 1,302 grams for the pair. Curent Shimano RX-880 wheels have a 25mm (vs 23mm for Dura Ace) inner rim width and a 32mm depth vs the 50mm depth of the new Dura Ace. The total weight of the RX-880's is just shy of 1,400 grams at 1,397 grams. This is with stainless steel spokes. 

Obviously trends have changed and Shimano, never one to jump on changes right away, may not be pushing the cutting edges of wheel tech with a new RX series wheel yet. But it is hard to discount what Chinese wheel companies are doing now and for the prices they are doing it at, which are pretty incredibly low. 

Should Shimano come out with an even wider inner rim width gravel wheel set with carbon spokes with a total wheel weight of under 1,400 grams, it would be a huge development. Let's say the newer wheel had a 30mm inner rim width, and carbon spokes. Maybe a 40mm rim depth. It would be very competitive, as long as you bought a bike with those wheels already on it. Dura Ace wheels are well over 2K for the pair, and this is not at all competitive with Chinese gravel wheel sets, many selling for well under 1K for a pair.  

With Shimano you do get a company with service, widespread availability of repair parts, and most bike shops understand and can work on Shimano components. Chinese wheel sets? Hmm..... Not so much. But if you are willing to take a chance..... 

Image courtesy of DT Swiss

DT Swiss Revamps 1800 Wheel Range

Usually we talk about the bougie, expensive wheels here on the FN&V, but not everyone wants, needs, or can afford those carbon fiber wonder-wheels. So, what's a regular Joe or Jill supposed to look for?

How about a reliable, durable, and practical wheel set? This describes DT Swiss' 1800 range of wheels to a "T". 

There are three newly refreshed wheels in the 1800 Spline range now with the Aero (A), Endurance (E), and the Gravel (G) 1800 models. In those three divisions there are some options as well, most notably the option to get a front wheel with a DT Swiss branded Shutter Precision dynamo hub. 

Most of the range goes for a little north of $600.00 USD, so these won't break the bank and you can get solid DT Swiss reliability from the 370 hubs to the spokes and the new rims featuring a 26mm inner width. There are separate rims from this range available also for those looking to build some wheels. 

See the range HERE.  

Image courtesy of Ritchey Design

Ritchey Updates Streem Handlebar:

It seems that the old odball tag which used to be used for flared drop bars is no longer valid. No more "alt-bar" descriptions for these drop bars in 2026. 

Especially since a traditional road drop bar like the Streem now has 10° of flare. This road riding bar now has what Ritchey said in their press release is a design which is "...in line with how riders approach road riding today." And this - "....the compact shape, gentle backsweep, and increasing-radius bends give riders a natural interface for their hands when the road goes long or the pace gets honest. So, backsweep and flare. Hmm..... Gravel has made a dent, it would seem. 

The new Streem is available in aluminum construction in the WCS and Comp ranges with the difference being the WCS has triple-butted tubing. Check out the new bars, which have been priced lower than the outgoing models, and all of Ritchey's handlebar options HERE. 
 

Thanks so much for reading Guitar Ted Productions. Now get out there and ride those bicycles! Summer is fading fast! 

Guitar Ted Lube-Off 2025: An Update

 NOTICE:  The Guitar Ted 'Lube-Off' is a comparison of different lubrication products for bicycle chains that is undertaken in 'real world' conditions in a set way. Then I compare and contrast the results with past 'Lube-Off' products to see "which one is best for me". This is done for entertainment purposes and the reader should apply their own reasoning and discernment while reading my 'Lube-Off' entries. What works for me may not work for you at all.  

Update: Well, it has been since May when I introduced this year's contenders for the new Lube-Off. (Here is that intro) 

Now it is time for an update. I'll start out with the previous lubes I have used which are in the rotation and conclude with the Stan's Biodegradable lube., First up - The Flowerpower lubed Honeman Flyer. 

I was riding the Honemann Flyer over the weekend and noted the chain was starting to sound noisy. This is a cry for help! I will clean it with a dry rag and hit it again with the Flowerpower lube. I last lubed the chain in May at the start of this run of testing.

This lube was the winner of the last Lube-Off equaling, or in some ways, bettering, the SILCA Super-Secret wax lube. Both are wax based lubricants, but the Flowerpower was just a bit better in terms of dealing with dusty, dry conditions.

The Super-Secret lube is on the Noble GX5. I have done a fair amount of riding on this bike and the lube is holding up well. If I recall correctly, I remember hearing the chain a bit more than usual last I rode the bike, so this one may also be in need of a refresh as well. 

The Stan's lube is on the pink Black Mountain Cycles MCD. I have ridden this bike a bit, but not quite as much as the Noble or the Honeman Flyer. The lube is doing fine. You'll see here in a minute the images of each. I will comment further on all three after the images.

The DuMonde Tech is on my Raleigh Tamland which I haven't hardly ridden at all this year. (Maybe a commute and test ride?) I'll have to get this one out more this Fall and catch up with the results later. I'm not as concerned with this lube though as I am fully aware of how it works and I have had years of usage on various bicycles with which to draw my conclusions from.

Images next. Captions will guide you as to what lube is being shown.

Flowerpower Wax

Touch-Test results for Flowerpower Wax

SILCA Super-Secret wax lubricant

Touch-Test results for the Super-Secret Wax lubricant.

Stan's Biodegradable Dry lubricant

Touch-Test results for Stan's Biodegradable Dry lubricant.

Comments: So the two wax based lubricants seem to be dealing with dry conditions in the same way as I have seen in the past. There is a tiny bit of dust accumulation on the inner chain plates, but the chains wipe clean with a dry rag and the performance is good to great with little chain noise or wear.

It is necessary to note with these lubricants their propensity to be washed away in wetter conditions. So, as an example, if you ride in areas with water crossings, or get caught in intermittent showers often, I wouldn't recommend these as being good lubricants. But for completely dry conditions these two keep the chain happy for a long time with little accumulation of gunk and dust.

The Stan's is "good", but it isn't as good as the other two. I might suggest here the fact of little to no information being provided on Stan's end makes judging this lube more difficult. Is it wax based? Petroleum based? Something else? I don't know other than it is "biodegradable". It may be the Stan's holds up better to wet conditions as well, but I have not tested this out. I may try it if I get the chance, but my main focus here is on the dry conditions. 

So Far... If I called the test over today, the Stan's lube would lose, but this isn't a bad thing. The Flowerpower Wax and SILCA\s lube are just awesome and it would be hard to top these two lubricants. I've seen DuMonde Tech be as good and even slightly better, in terms of longevity and cleanliness. However; DuMonde Tech is harder to apply correctly the first time, and if you don't get it right, it will be an abject failure compared to the two wax based lubes in this test. 

Stan's might prove to be a longer-lasting lube than either of the two wax based lubricants here. This is something I will monitor going into Fall and will figure into my final evaluation. But Stan's doesn't seem as good as the two wax based lubes as of now. Good, but not great.  

Guitar Ted Lube-Off: Mid-Summer Update

NOTICE: The Guitar Ted 'Lube-Off' is a comparison of different lubrication products for bicycle chains that is undertaken in 'real world' conditions in a set way. Then I compare and contrast the results with past 'Lube-Off' products to see "which one is best for me". This is done for entertainment purposes and the reader should apply their own reasoning and discernment while reading my 'Lube-Off' entries. What works for me may not work for you at all. None of the companies represented in this Lube-Off have any knowledge of this review, nor are they sponsoring me at all.  

The last update was way back in June which you can read HERE. The contenders, once again, are the Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower Wax Lube, DuMonde Tech, and SILCA Super-Secret Lube. Since that time I have not re-lubricated any of the chains. I have not ridden the Raleigh (DuMonde Tech) all that much since then but I did start riding the Black Mountain Cycles MCD more which has the SILCA Super-Secret Lube on the chain. This time I'll contrast the Super-Secret Lube against the Flowerpower Wax lube.

Flowerpower Wax: 

The weather went from drought conditions to flooding in the last period between updates here. Interestingly, the Flowerpower chains looked like they did at the last update when all the riding was done in very dusty conditions. 

I thought that the Nobel GX5, being the geared bike I have set up with this lube, was noisier than I recall. The single speed King Fab bike seemed about the same, but it is a single speed, so... 

Compared to the Super-Secret lube the noise was a bit louder and I also thought that the Super-Secret felt slicker during the Touch Test. which didn't show much dirt off the rollers, but none of the chains did, really. I did wipe all the chains down with a cloth afterward and a strange finding was seen on both Flowerpower Wax chains. I saw a fair amount of black residue and some with a red tint. This was odd because I haven't ridden in red dirt, with the exception of the single speed, at all. Could that have been some rust? 

It's like - why bother with this test?

I checked all the chains for wear and both geared bikes barely register any wear at all while the single speed chain shows about 30% wear. Odd that, but the chain is a lesser quality piece on the single speed. 

After wiping the chains down with a cloth, neither the Super-Secret or Flowerpower Wax chains seemed to need lubricating, but I may do that and then go through the rest of Summer before I get to my final verdict. 

The red residue puzzles me. The single speed was ridden on red dirt roads in Oklahoma, but the GX5 has not been anywhere near red dirt, and yet it showed the same residue. My only conclusion is that this was caused by the Flowerpower Wax somehow. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this as the test goes on. 

SILCA Super-Secret Lube:

This stuff works great but this time the chain for the Super-Secret lube looked worse than the other two with the Flowerpower Wax lubricant.

The dust was caked on a bit thicker, especially in the inner plates area. This did not seem to bother anything, but it was notable. As stated above, this chain also does not show any wear. 

This chain, when wiped down, did not show any red residue, but it did show a little black residue. Much less residue than the Flowerpower Wax lubed chains. I will say that this bike has been running this Super-Secret Lube since last year, so the lack of chain wear is impressive.

I am finding it a bit strange that I am seeing more residue now than I was when things were dusty and dry. Perhaps the moister roads have caused this? That would be my guess. It certainly doesn't seem to matter in regard to the Touch Test which shows almost nothing on all three chains. 

Just because - Here is the Honeman Flyer's chain.

So Far... 

The differences between these two lubricants are minimal. The residue issues notwithstanding, both work about the same and both have about the same longevity in terms of time between lubing. As stated, the Flowerpower chains seemed a bit noisier and maybe less slick than did the Super-Secret lubed chain. 

The accumulation of dust is surprising on all three chains. I will be paying attention to this in my final analysis. I also hope to get the DuMonde Tech chain back in the mix before I end this round of the Lube-Off, but we will see. 

I am looking at the beginning of September for the final word on this round to be written up. Until then I don't see a lot of major changes developing between the three lubricants. They all seem to be pretty good, so far. 

Stay tuned...

Guitar Ted "Lube-Off": EcoSheep Lube - Final Thoughts

  NOTE: The Guitar Ted "Lube-Off" is an occasional series here on the blog where I pit chain lubrication products against each other to see what- if any- chain lubrication products are good for riding on gravel. These reviews are my opinions only and are not meant to be taken as the final word on any of these products. 

Okay, I finally got the EcoSheep oil lube out on some dusty gravel and finished up this test. I probably actually have far more than six hours on this lubricant, but the chances to use the bike it is on for a dry, dusty ride hadn't presented itself until last week. So, anyway, here we go with a final look at this unique, 100% natural lubricant. 

One thing before I get to my final thoughts here. I don't know for sure if this is a wet or a dry lubricant, or none of the above! EcoSheep does offer a "road version" of this and a "MTB" version, (tested) and I assume that should be interpreted as 'road = dry', and 'MTB = wet'. 

That said, I assume I have wet lube here and that's how I am judging the EcoSheep "for mountain bikes" product.

So, typically you would never want to use a "wet" lube on dry gravel roads. it is a recipe for a bad result. Gunky build-up, gritty, grinding noises, and accelerated wear as a result are what you'd most often have happen. but I think EcoSheep will surprise you a little bit here.

So, as you can see, there is a fine coating of dust on the chain. However; you can still read what is embossed on the side plates of the chain, and the rollers look okay. No "gunky build-up" here. 

The "Touch-Test", where I roll the chain rollers on my index finger to see what, if anything, comes off, showed little but some dust and maybe a bit of dark residue. Interesting! 

The chain shifted great, by the way, and it wasn't noisy at all. Not anything above a typical chain noise that I would consider 'normal' for a derailleur based drive train. I do think it is high-time for a reloading of the EcoSheep, but I have to say, this stuff wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! 

The cassette is about the same as the chain.

So, is the EcoSheep good stuff? I would put it this way- If you ride a lot of places where stream crossings are common, or if you live where it rains a fair amount, this might be a great all-around lubricant choice. For me? No. It is not good enough compared to DuMonde Tech, SILCA Super-Secret Lube, Muc-Off C3 ceramic dry lube, or even some others I've tried. However; I'm keeping this stuff around for our sometimes wet Springs and I want to test this on my Winter bikes. 

Conditions on my last, 2+ hour ride were horrendously dry and dusty, so if this lube can come through that and not totally fail, well, I think that is impressive enough. But it is 100% natural, won't harm the environment, and it is a byproduct of sheep shearing, so it is a renewable lubricant. Add that all up and I think it is definitely a player in the Wet lube category.

Again- EcoSheep did not sponsor this review. I bought and paid for the EcoSheep with my own money. See the "Standard Disclaimer Page" for further explanation.

Guitar Ted "Lube-Off": EcoSheep Lube - Final Thoughts

  NOTE: The Guitar Ted "Lube-Off" is an occasional series here on the blog where I pit chain lubrication products against each other to see what- if any- chain lubrication products are good for riding on gravel. These reviews are my opinions only and are not meant to be taken as the final word on any of these products. 

Okay, I finally got the EcoSheep oil lube out on some dusty gravel and finished up this test. I probably actually have far more than six hours on this lubricant, but the chances to use the bike it is on for a dry, dusty ride hadn't presented itself until last week. So, anyway, here we go with a final look at this unique, 100% natural lubricant. 

One thing before I get to my final thoughts here. I don't know for sure if this is a wet or a dry lubricant, or none of the above! EcoSheep does offer a "road version" of this and a "MTB" version, (tested) and I assume that should be interpreted as 'road = dry', and 'MTB = wet'. 

That said, I assume I have wet lube here and that's how I am judging the EcoSheep "for mountain bikes" product.

So, typically you would never want to use a "wet" lube on dry gravel roads. it is a recipe for a bad result. Gunky build-up, gritty, grinding noises, and accelerated wear as a result are what you'd most often have happen. but I think EcoSheep will surprise you a little bit here.

So, as you can see, there is a fine coating of dust on the chain. However; you can still read what is embossed on the side plates of the chain, and the rollers look okay. No "gunky build-up" here. 

The "Touch-Test", where I roll the chain rollers on my index finger to see what, if anything, comes off, showed little but some dust and maybe a bit of dark residue. Interesting! 

The chain shifted great, by the way, and it wasn't noisy at all. Not anything above a typical chain noise that I would consider 'normal' for a derailleur based drive train. I do think it is high-time for a reloading of the EcoSheep, but I have to say, this stuff wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! 

The cassette is about the same as the chain.

So, is the EcoSheep good stuff? I would put it this way- If you ride a lot of places where stream crossings are common, or if you live where it rains a fair amount, this might be a great all-around lubricant choice. For me? No. It is not good enough compared to DuMonde Tech, SILCA Super-Secret Lube, Muc-Off C3 ceramic dry lube, or even some others I've tried. However; I'm keeping this stuff around for our sometimes wet Springs and I want to test this on my Winter bikes. 

Conditions on my last, 2+ hour ride were horrendously dry and dusty, so if this lube can come through that and not totally fail, well, I think that is impressive enough. But it is 100% natural, won't harm the environment, and it is a byproduct of sheep shearing, so it is a renewable lubricant. Add that all up and I think it is definitely a player in the Wet lube category.

Again- EcoSheep did not sponsor this review. I bought and paid for the EcoSheep with my own money. See the "Standard Disclaimer Page" for further explanation.

Guitar Ted "Lube-Off": Update On Super-Secret Lube

 NOTE: The Guitar Ted "Lube-Off" is an occasional series here on the blog where I pit chain lubrication products against each other to see what- if any- chain lubrication products are good for riding on gravel. These reviews are my opinions only and are not meant to be taken as the final word on any of these products. 

I know I just gave my final thoughts on this SILCA Super-Secret Lube not long ago (HERE), but I have a bit more to add to the story now that I think is interesting. So, read that link and then consider this post an addendum to that one. 

Last weekend's "Hall of Fame Ride" saw me use the Black Mountain Cycles MCD I used for the Lube-Off test featuring Super-Secret lube. After the initial test period, I felt like I probably should reapply some lubricant as the chain felt not-so-slick anymore. It wasn't noisy, per se', but the chain wasn't as quiet as I'd have liked either. 

So, I wiped that chain down really well, until I was hardly getting any residue off of it, and I liberally applied Super-Secret to the chain rollers, manually turning them with the tip of my index finger to help pull the lubricant into the chain pins. then I wiped off the excess and let it sit for a day. 

When I came back, I could not see any evidence of the Super-Secret Lube on the chain, but I could feel it, and the chain was quieter. So, I took it on the Hall of Fame Ride last weekend which was approximately 44 miles and change of mostly very dusty gravel. Following you will see the chain and results from the "Touch-Test" of the chain afterward with no modification to the chain whatsoever, no cleaning, nothing. This is what it looked like right after the ride.

The odd dark marks are where the chain is worn and the gold treatment is gone.

Mostly dust here!

Okay, so as you can see plainly, the chain was mostly just dusty. The "Touch-Test" brought out a lot of dust from the chain. Most of this will wipe away with a soft, micro-fiber cloth and the chain will be fine. 

Here's another view showing where that dust is hiding and what the cassette looks like.

Yeah, pretty impressive! Considering the fact that the cassette and chain are just about toast, as far as wear, this looks really good here. I have to admit that Super-Secret Lube is as good as the DuMonde Tech at this point. I know I'll be using it all up, (I got a special "double your order deal" when I ordered mine), and that will take a while. 

The thing is, I think this is better from the standpoint of reapplication where it works exactly like it did on the first application. DuMonde Tech is a bit finicky in that regard. However; my initial reaction is that I will have to reapply this Super-Secret Lube more often than I do with DuMonde Tech. So, a give and take, which to my mind equals the two out a bit. Nothing I can think of makes either stand out as  "better" than the other yet. 

So, Super-Secret Lube from SILCA is a worthy one for you dust-eatin', gravel-grindin' fiends out there. I'll report back if I have any further observations, but I just wanted to give my latest experience to you for your consideration.

Again- SILCA did not sponsor this review. I bought and paid for the Super-Secret Lube with my own money. See the "Standard Disclaimer Page" for further explanation.