Bike riders find themselves in many different conditions. For people who are constantly riding where things can get a bit wet, a wet chain lube might make the most sense. It can make sure that everything lasts longer, but it does not come without its negatives.
Looking for the best wet chain lubes out there? Those trying to buy the best of the best should do their fair amount of comparative shopping before making a purchase. These are some of the best options out there, and how effective they can be overall.
1. Pro Gold Extreme Chain Lube
To start things off, Xtreme Chain Lube (Amazon) is a perfect option for people who do not really know what type of weather to expect once they get on their bike. It is meant for extreme conditions, and people love the fact that they do not have to think twice about the bike operating efficiently.
Working for both road bikes and trail bikes, Pro Gold keeps the operation running smoothly. It is a little on the heavier side, but can still be used in just about any weather out there.
It does not only lubricate during the ride, but it cleans off the chain as well. They can accomplish this with MFR Technology to really help out the chain lubes overall health.
Not only is this lube very beneficial, but people find that it lasts a long time as well. It is one of the most environmentally friendly options to pick from, and there is no staining whatsoever. Even though it is an oil-based product, people do not have to worry about any stains on their clothing.
Pros
- Works under any conditions.
- Not particularly heavy for a wet lubricant.
- Environmentally friendly.
Cons
- It does not do the best of fighting off dirt.
- Better options out there for dryer days.
2. White Lightning Wet Ride Lube
White Lightning (Amazon) has worked very hard to come up with a formula that separates himself from the competition. Many reviewers feel like they have done exactly that, as their wet ride technology is perfect for rainy days, or snow on the ground in certain situations.
A ride in tough conditions already difficult, so having a lubricant that helps in any way certainly helps. Wet Ride works by using a combination of synthetic oils and repelling polymers. It is also 100% waterproof. Most love the fact that it can help control all of the squeaks from the drivetrain, smoothing out the ride as much as possible.
During the application process, people will realize right away that it is a very heavy-bodied synthetic lubricant. It works very well for long distances, but it is built for the most extreme weather conditions. By using this new type of technology, they have done a better job of
eliminating noise and keeping everything clean. There is still going to be some build up after a tough ride, but not nearly as bad as it used to be with previous versions.
Very quickly, White Lightning has turned into one of the trusted companies out there for wet riding. They have travel versions available for people who want a small bottle on the go, but the best value is always going to come with the bigger bottles. As long as the person follows the very basic instructions, the application process is about as straightforward as possible. It looks pretty thick and oily when on the chain, but it works its magic very well.
Pros
- 100% waterproof
- Reformulated for ultimate effectiveness
- Prevent rust
Cons
- Goes on pretty heavy
- One of the more expensive options
3. Rock ‘n’ roll Gold lube
Rock “N” Roll Gold (Amazon) is a versatile option is advertised as an all-purpose cleaning and lubrication system, which means that it can be used in dry or wet conditions. It ranks pretty highly in both categories, and once a person tries it out for the first time, it is easy to see why.
Even though the price is a little tough for some to swallow in the beginning, Rock ‘n’ roll Gold lube is a perfect middle option for people to try out. There is also the Extreme option from Rock ‘n’ Roll, and the Absolute Dry. If people need to go in one direction or the other, they can certainly opt for those other two as well.
As both a cleaner and a lubricant, it becomes a lot easier to make the bike look as good as new all the time. The drivetrain operates extremely efficiently with this lubricant, and the cleanup process is fairly simple. Even though dirt and grime sticks to the chain a little bit more frequently than some people want, it is part of the process of working with a wet lubricant in the first place.
For the ultimate amount of versatility, having a bottle of each option from Rock ‘n’ Roll is the way to go. However, if a person can only pick one, this is the choice to go with. It can last quite a while when purchasing one of the bigger bottles.
Pros
- Very versatile
- Lasts a long time
- Provides a fairly clean ride
Cons
- Doesn’t do wet or dry as well as other specific options
- Application process is a little messy
4. Boeshield T-9 Bicycle chain lube
As one of the most versatile lube to make this list, Boeshield T-9 Bicycle chain lube (Amazon) works for not only wet conditions, but dry as well. Not only that, but people use this for many other things that need lubricant as well. This helps people keep everything operating as it should, cleaning and protecting at the same time.
Most people are going to be looking for a lubricant to put on the chain that clean and lubricate very effectively. It is tedious to apply the cleaner, but then later use a lubricant as well. Have the ability to do both at once keeps the bike looking and operating like new.
Fighting off any rust and corrosion is also a huge benefit of using this lubricant. It can do so because it not only deep cleans, but it has a pretty consistent coat that keeps everything protected. A lubricant that is more for dry conditions might not be able to do all of this effectively.
If there is a complaint, it is the fact that it might not do as much in wet weather conditions as ones built specifically for that. Those who only ride in wet conditions should perhaps look at a lubricant that is a little heavier, and a little more waterproof. It is not that this one is a bad option at all, it is just meant to be a bit more on the versatile side of things.
Pros
- Works in wet or dry conditions
- Very easy to apply
- Useful for other types of equipment as well
Cons
- A little pricey
- The penetration process takes a while
5. Tri-Flow TF0021060 Superior lubricant
Another oil that falls in the multi-purpose category is this option from Tri-Flow (Amazon). It has the word superior in the name, so it should be able to live up to expectations, right?
Most people seem to agree that it is a perfect solution for people who want an all-purpose option for the bicycle. It can do an excellent job of loosening up part of the chain that is gunked up, and making the bike operate at a high-level at all times.
The application process is pretty early simple, but people should be prepared to put some lubricant on pretty consistently if they ride a lot. Since this is pretty oily, it does attract a good amount of dirt and grime. That means more time cleaning and making sure that new lube is on there all the time.
As long as people are fine with spending that extra bit of time on the bike, it is really hard to find a lot wrong with this option. Those who do not find themselves in where conditions that often might want to try something a little easier to keep up with, but wet riders will certainly understand the value with this.
Pros
- Cuts down friction considerably
- Helps clean and maintain heavily used chains
- Provide some deep cleaning when allowed time to seep into the chain
Cons
- The application process becomes a little tedious
- Attracts a good amount dirt
What makes a wet chain lube worth the investment?
The most common reason why people shop for a particular type of wet lube is that they ride in the rain or snow consistently. For example, a fat bike rider who wants to hit the trails during the winter might opt for a wet lube over a dry or ceramic glue. Not only are these lubes water-resistant, but they can hold up nicely over multiple rides.
The trade-off is that dirt and grime builds up pretty quickly, but The alternative is just having a lot of other problems. The bike is not going to be able to last quite as long if it is constantly used i wet conditions but only operating with a dry lube.
How does the application process work?
Applying wet chain lube to a bicycle works the same way as any other type of lube. The first step is just doing some early preparation, making sure that the chain is as clean as possible.
Once it looks like it is ready to accept some lubricant, apply a little bit of chain lube on every single roller. This allows for some pretty even application, and it is going to be more than enough to work with.
Make sure to wipe off any excess if it seems like it might be in the way. Not everyone will know exactly how much they need to apply in the beginning, so it is a bit of a learning process. The good news is that even if a person is a little wasteful at first, it is not going to be too much of a deal.
How often does wet chain lube need applied?
Because of the nature of wet chain lube, most people find that they need to go through the process of adding more and cleaning things off about every 75 miles. This can change considerably if the weather conditions are not ideal. In extreme weather, it might make the most sense to spend a little bit of time cleaning off the chain and applying additional lube every single time.
The more a person rides, the easier it is to start figuring out exactly how much time you spent on the process. If the chain starts making a decent amount of noise, it could be time to go ahead and try to fix as much as possible.
Are multi-use lubes worth it?
Some of the best lubes out there for any type of condition are multi-use options. Even though some companies focus specifically on bikes, there is always an opportunity to use a more versatile choice and simply go with that.
The good thing with something very neutral is that it can work in any weather conditions. The bad news is that it does not really do anything specifically well. Those who take bike riding seriously should consider a wet and a dry option at the least.
Try to avoid any motor oils, or other super heavy options that can do more harm than good. Not only are these very heavy, but they will attract dirt extremely easily. It also has a very high chance of dirtying up clothing.
Final thoughts on wet bicycle chain lubes
Investing in the right type of chain lube is always going to be a smart move for people who take riding bikes seriously. Whether a person is trying to set a new time record with a road bike, or they are exploring some tough trails on a fat bike, there is a time and a place for this very specific type of chain lube.
Pricing is very affordable, which is why most people will invest in multiple options for different times of the year. Competition in the last few years from many of the companies have kept price is very low, and a person will not be breaking the bank too much to go with even the most premium option. Shop around and read reviews, and ultimately pick one that seems very trustworthy and capable of holding up over time.