Wet, dry or wax chain lube: which should you use?

Wet lube is thicker. BikeRadar notes it lasts longer and resists rain better, but it picks up dirt and adds a little friction. That trade-off suits wet roads.

Dry lube is mostly carrier fluid, around 90 per cent according to BikeRadar, with the rest being the lubricant. It runs cleaner and quieter, but rain and puddles wash it off quickly. It suits dry, dusty weather.

Wax-based lube dries to a thin film that stays clean and tests well for efficiency. The catch is the prep: the chain must be fully degreased first, and the wax needs time to cure, ideally overnight. After wet rides it needs cleaning and re-waxing to prevent rust.

Clean the chain first, so the lube reaches the rollers and pins. Add a drop to each link, give it time to soak in, then wipe off the excess. Avoid grease and aerosols on the chain.

There's no single answer. In BikeRadar's tests, Silca Synergetic lasted about 600 km on the road, while one dry lube needed a top-up after about 250 km on a dry ride. Wet rides shorten the gap.

BikeRadar's best wet lube is Oxford Mint Wet Lube. Silca Synergetic is its highly commended pick, very quiet and a little goes a long way.