If you need to clean your bike or your chain after a ride, you should end up by drying the chain and reapplying lube, to prevent your chain from rusting. Likewise a ride in wet conditions will usually require a reapplication to keep your chain sparkly.

However, even a light rain shower will wash dry lube off the chain and it is less durable; an 80-mile ride in dry conditions can see lubrication drastically reduced. Most wet lubes will provide efficient lubrication for over 100 miles of riding with one application. If you ride in the winter months a wet lube will resist salt corrosion. Wet lubes are also really good at reducing drivetrain noise. All Conditions is a thinnish wet lube that should be applied to a clean chain to get the most out of it. It’s easy to apply and is relatively mess-free. On review we found that our chain remained rust-free after our 'garden hose test' that we used to replicate wet weather. A ride in rain followed and the chain again showed no signs of rust or stiff links. We also liked that, unlike some wet lubes, Green Oil didn't attract too much dirt and grime that can really wear the drivechain.

Professional Chain Lube has been developed and tested over many years using innovative raw materials, we have formulated a unique chain lube. Its ability to run in all conditions at such high levels of performance are unsurpassed. This chain lube will perform in the dry and in the wet. Longevity and efficiency are the key features resulting in an extremely smooth running chain. Ideal for road and off road where performance is paramount. The type of lube you choose to use comes down to several factors involving where and when you ride. If you are fastidious about cleaning your bike regularly, and often ride in inclement conditions, then wet lube is the right choice for you. Despite the seemingly endless differences, chain lube can be broken down into just two simple categories: wet and dry. How often do I need to apply chain lube?

In summer conditions, there can be benefits in applying a dry lube less frequently, as this will prevent the build-up of grime on your chain, which can speed up wear. How do I apply chain lube? On test the lube kept our chain quiet and smooth, although it does attract a bit of dirt and grime. In wet conditions, both real and simulated, the chain remained rust-free. It's also long-lasting; we'd say that you should be able to ride 100 miles+ between applications.

Wet lubes can be used all year, offer better value and have the greatest longevity. Whether wet or dry, it’s often a question of how much time and effort you want to put in. The most important thing for me is daily cleaning of the drivetrain with degreaser, thoroughly drying it to remove all moisture before reapplying more lube.

During testing we found that the extra effort required in the application stage paid dividends when it was time to ride. After 150 miles in varied conditions, including some rain, the chain still ran smoothly and was noise-free. This means that despite Smoove Lube's higher price tag it still represents decent value for money due to the longevity of each application. Muc-Off's wet lube formula contains no harmful acids, CFCs or solvents, as well as being biodegradable. It features the company's integral Extreme Pressure Additives coat for increased efficiency in the drive chain.Simon Nash of Green Oil, which makes environmentally friendly lubes, explains: “Wet lube was the original lubricant of choice. Early brands used something like car engine oil. Its consistency trumped basic spray lubricants that were primarily designed to displace water. Wax lubes are predominantly made of wax, although they'll have a carrier solvent to help the wax to penetrate into the chain. The wax forms a dry film which lubricates the chain and is less likely to attract grime.

It worked and was durable. But many cyclists on the road racing scene took to waxing chains in a frying pan. Secret formulas mixed in the kitchen often led to chains being dipped in bespoke waxy lubricants overnight. The criminal trial for the murder of cyclist Moriah Wilson that has gripped the nation and cycling world alike gets underway in Austin, Texas, today. In dry, spring and summer conditions you want to use a lighter lubricant, normally a wax-based ‘dry’ lube. Dry lubes are much cleaner to use and attract less dirt build-up even with repeated applications. This makes them much better in dry or dusty conditions, especially off-road or on gravel.

WD40 or equivalent are effective at displacing moisture from your chain, so they can be useful to help stop it from rusting after you've cleaned it. But they won't help to reduce friction and wear in the drivetrain, they're easily washed off and they attract dirt. They're not as effective as a chain lube at reducing friction either. As for Green Oil's claims of over 200 miles or 124 miles between applications, we found that after 100 miles of riding our chain was still running smoothly. Step 2: Shake bottle well, if the lube is pretty solid it will need warming in in a cup of warm water or on a radiator for a couple of minutes A. - Always chain your chain before you apply chain lube. You should apply chain lube when your chain is filthy or when it makes a noise like a whining cat.