Chain oil test: 18 chain lubricants for road bikes in laboratory and practical tests

This article was first published in January 2021 and was revised in June 2024.

Oils, waxes, dry lubricants, wet lubricants. The sheer flood of products for the bicycle chain has heads spinning like cranks. On top of this, some manufacturers now also offer nano-particle-based oils and lubricants as well as speciality products with magic ingredients such as graphene. Cost: a whopping 129.95 euros for 140 millilitres.

But do chains really need all these special products to glide smoothly over the cassette and minimise wear on the drivetrain? We get to the bottom of the question and test 18 all-round lubricants for bicycle chains from the most important manufacturers on the market.

All chain lubricants for road bikes in the test

• Antidote chain oil
• Atlantic Dry11
• Ballistol ceramic chain oil
• Dr Wack F100 Dry Lubricant
• Finish Line Chain Oil Synthetic
• Hanseline chain wax
• Holmenkol Performance Lube
• Chainwixe Duraglide
• Motorex Dry Power Performance Lube
• Muc-Off chain oil for dryness
• Pedro's Syn Lube
• R.S.P. Red Oil
• Sonax Bike Silicone Chain Care Oil
• Tunap Chain Oil Ultimate
• Wash'n Roll organic drive oil
• WD-40 Bike Chain Oil Dry
• Weldtite Sport chain fluid
• Zéfal Chain Wax Extra Dry

Good chain oils for little money

Our extensive laboratory test provides information about the actual quality of the lubricants and shows that good lubrication does not have to be expensive. You can find high-quality products on the market for as little as €4.40 per 100 millilitres that will give your chain a long life.

Antidote chain oil

• Price: 8,72 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 50 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 17,44 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 50 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 1,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 5,0
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 4,0
• Handling (15 %): 1,0

Overall grade (100 %): 2,5

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Exemplary lubricity, good viscosity, but very low rust protection and mediocre creep behaviour.

PRACTICE Antidote has a creamy consistency and is easy to dose. The packaging is handy and the cap is childproof. Relatively expensive.

Atlantic Dry11

• Price: 9,41 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 125 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 7,53 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 50/125 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 5,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 1,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 1,0
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 2,0
• Handling (15 %): 4,0

Overall grade (100 %): 3,2

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Both test runs were cancelled after about two minutes: Lubricant film tear, seizure. High solvent content. Very good corrosion protection.

PRACTICE Dry11 creeps excellently, is not very sticky, but is extremely thin and drips off heavily.

Ballistol ceramic chain oil

• Price: 5,09 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 65 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 7,83 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 65 ml, Spray: 100 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 2,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 3,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 1,0
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 2,0
• Handling (15 %): 2,0

Overall grade (100 %): 2,0

Conclusion:

LABORATORY The mineral oil with ceramic solids lubricates well, but the particles slow down the smooth running. It creeps passably well and the rust protection is excellent.

PRACTICE Very viscous, but can be applied and dispensed well and is only slightly sticky.

Dr Wack F100 Dry Lubricant

• Price: 8,76 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 50 m
• Price per 100 ml: 17,52 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 10/50/100 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 2,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 2,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 2,0
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 2,0
• Handling (15 %): 3,0

Overall grade (100 %): 2,2

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Solid lubricity in the upper mid-range. Balanced ratio between corrosion protection, creep behaviour and fast setting.

PRACTICE Good bottle with long spout for good drip dosage and precise placement. Somewhat thin. Relatively expensive.

Finish Line Chain Oil Synthetic

• Price: 6 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 60 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 10 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 60/120/240 ml, Spray: 246 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 1,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 5,0
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 4,0
• Handling (15 %): 4,0

Overall grade (100 %): 3,0

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Lubricates very well, but creeps poorly and hardly protects against corrosion. Only individual components are synthetic.

PRACTICE Surfaces remain sticky for a long time. Good to apply, but three testers broke the screw cap.

Hanseline chain wax

• Price: 7,50 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 100 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 7,50 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 100 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 3,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 4,5
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 3,0
• Handling (15 %): 3,0

Overall grade (100 %): 3,4

Conclusion:

LABORATORY The wax particles take a relatively long time to break in and produce a lubricating effect. The coefficients of friction are relatively high. Only slightly pronounced rust protection.

PRACTICE Must be shaken vigorously. Easy to apply, absorbs smoothly. The dropper cap closes.

Holmenkol Performance Lube

• Price: 14,99 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 100 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 14,99 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 100 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 1,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 3,0
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 4,0
• Handling (15 %): 1,0

Overall grade (100 %): 2,2

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Lubricates very well, even if it wears off slightly over the course of the test. Still creeps properly, but attracts dirt; reasonable rust protection.

PRACTICE Very easy to dose, practical viscosity, absorbs smoothly.

Chainwixe Duraglide

• Price: 6,95 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 50 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 13,90 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 50 ml, Spray: 100 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 2,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 3,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 1,5
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 4,0
• Handling (15 %): 2,0

Overall grade (100 %): 2,3

Conclusion:

LABORATORY The lubricity is in the solid mid-range. Good creep behaviour, top rust protection, but only adheres moderately.

PRACTICE Good dosage despite large outlet opening. Absorbs well.

Motorex Dry Power Performance Lube

• Price: 17.9 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 300 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 5,96 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 100 ml, Spray 56/300 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 3,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 1,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 2,0
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 4,0
• Handling (15 %): 4,0

Overall grade (100 %): 2,7

Conclusion:

LABORATORY The only spray in the test lubricates properly. Thanks to the high solvent content, the oil penetrates very well and protects against rust; attracts dirt.

PRACTICE For a spray, the jet is well focussed, but spray mist is formed which misses the target. Thin liquid, rather difficult to dose.

Muc-Off chain oil for dryness

• Price: 12,49 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 120 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 10,40 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 50/120 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 2,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 4,5
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 3,0
• Handling (15 %): 4,0

Overall grade (100 %): 3,2

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Still lubricates well, but creeping ability, rust protection and dirt adhesion are moderate.

PRACTICE Handy bottle, long spout. Watery consistency, drips heavily. Perfumed.

Pedro's Syn Lube

• Price: 9,99 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 100 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 9,99 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 100 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 2,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 4,5
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 4,0
• Handling (15 %): 1,0

Overall grade (100 %): 2,8

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Lubricates constantly with an acceptable coefficient of friction. No synthetic oil, only synthetic components. Rather weak in terms of rust protection, creeping ability and dirt adhesion.

PRACTICE Easy to dose, handy bottle and dropper cap, clearly visible during application.

R.S.P. Red Oil

• Price 6,95 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 50 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 13,90 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 50 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 3,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 3,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 4,5
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 3,0
• Handling (15 %): 1,0

Overall grade (100 %): 2,9

Conclusion:

LABORATORY High proportion of solid lubricants, still lubricates properly, the coefficient of friction is the highest in the test. Otherwise passable, except for corrosion protection.

PRACTICE Easy to see thanks to the red colour, viscous, fine dosage, very precise application.

Sonax Bike Silicone Chain Care Oil

• Price: 5,99 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 50 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 11,98 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 50 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 3,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 4,5
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 5,0
• Handling (15 %): 1,5

Overall grade (100 %): 3,4

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Silicone additives cause high friction at the start of the test, which then stabilises at an acceptable level. Dirt repellence, rust protection and creep behaviour below average.

PRACTICE Handy bottle, good for travelling, easy to dose, very viscous.

Tunap Chain Oil Ultimate

• Price: 12,95 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 100 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 12,95 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 100 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 1,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 1,5
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 4,0
• Handling (15 %): 1,0

Overall grade (100 %): 2,0

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Good lubricity with excellent low coefficient of friction. Creeps only moderately and attracts dirt, but very high corrosion protection.

PRACTICE Easy to dose and apply thanks to the long nozzle; viscous, easy to control drops.

Wash'n Roll organic drive oil

• Price: 9,70 Euro
• Contents: 50 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 19,40 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 50 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 5,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 4,5
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 3,0
• Handling (15 %): 3,0

Overall grade (100 %): 4,2

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Both test runs were cancelled after about one minute. The white oil product was very quickly unable to separate the test specimens from each other. It does not creep very well, offers weak rust protection, but binds little dirt.

PRACTICE Hard bottle, therefore difficult to dose. Most expensive product in the test.

Wash'n Roll organic drive oil

• Price: 9,70 Euro
• Contents: 50 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 19,40 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 50 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 5,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 4,5
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 3,0
• Handling (15 %): 3,0

Overall grade (100 %): 4,2

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Both test runs were cancelled after about one minute. The white oil product was very quickly unable to separate the test specimens from each other. It does not creep very well, offers weak rust protection, but binds little dirt.

PRACTICE Hard bottle, therefore difficult to dose. Most expensive product in the test.

WD-40 Bike Chain Oil Dry

• Price: 10,49 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 100 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 10,49 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 100 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 4,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 3,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 3,0
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 3,0
• Handling (15 %): 5,0

Overall grade (100 %): 3,7

Conclusion:

LABORATORY High solvent content. Breaks off due to lubricating film breaking off in the first pass; medium-high coefficient of friction. Creeps and protects relatively well against rust.

PRACTICE Very thin, drips heavily. Outlet opening too large, difficult to dose.

Weldtite Sport chain fluid

• Price: 9,95 Euro
• Contents: 100 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 9,95 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 100/1,000 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 2,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 3,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 5,0
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 5,0
• Handling (15 %): 2,0

Overall grade (100 %): 3,0

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Relatively high coefficient of friction, but good release and lubricating effect. High solvent content. Creeps excellently, but weak corrosion and dirt protection.

PRACTICE Transparent bottle, childproof cap. Easy to dose, absorbs well.

Zefal Chain Wax Extra Dry

• Price: 9,95 Euro >> available here
• Contents: 120 ml
• Price per 100 ml: 8,29 Euro
• available containers: Fluid: 120 ml

Tour rating

• Lubricity (40 %): 5,0
• Creeping ability (20 %): 4,0
• Corrosion protection (15 %): 3,5
• Dirt adhesion (10 %): 2,0
• Handling (15 %): 1,0

Overall grade (100 %): 3,7

Conclusion:

LABORATORY Both test runs were cancelled after 40 and 50 seconds; wax and ceramic particles in the milky solution did not withstand the test pressure. Only weak creep, but acceptable dirt repellence and corrosion protection.

PRACTICE Very fine dosage, does not drip.