How to Choose the Right Chain Lube for Your Riding Conditions
When it comes to chain lube, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The key factor? The conditions you’re riding in.
Get it wrong, and you’re either grinding through grime or washing away your lube halfway through the ride. Get it right, and your drivetrain stays smooth, quiet, and lasts way longer.
So, let’s break down how to pick the perfect LinkLube for your trail conditions and why it matters more than you might think.
Clean vs. Durable: The Eternal Struggle
In dry, dusty conditions, the more crap your chain lube picks up, the faster your chain wears out. You want something that stays clean, not sticky.
In wet, muddy slop, you need something that can last — but without turning your drivetrain into a gritty, black gunk-covered mess.
The goal? Balance. Choose a lube that suits your terrain and weather — not just what looks good on the shelf.
Dry as a Bone? Go for LinkLube Dry
Ourwax-based LinkLube Dry is made for those classic moon dust summer rides. It dries completely to the touch, meaning no dust, no grit, no drama. Your drivetrain runs whisper-quiet and buttery-smooth.
It’s not the most durable in wet conditions (that’s not what it’s for), but if you accidentally hit a puddle, don’t stress — it won’t rinse straight off. Just don’t take it for a swim.
✅ Best for: Bone-dry trails, summer singletrack, indoor trainers
❌ Not ideal: Wet, muddy conditions or stream crossings
Proper Filthy Out? Bring on LinkLube Wet
When it’s raining sideways and you’re still riding, LinkLube Wet is your best mate. Developed with EWS racers, this blend of waxes and greases keeps your chain protected all day long — even in the worst conditions imaginable.
Unlike others, we don’t use marine-grade waterproof greases. Why? Because while they stay on, they also hoard every bit of grit on the trail — turning into a stubborn black paste that’s nearly impossible to clean off. Worse still, removing it often means nuking your drivetrain with solvent degreasers that can also wreck your bearings. No thanks.
✅ Best for: Full-blown winter slop, wet enduro races
❌ Not ideal: Dry, dusty trails where it’ll pick up more grit
Riding a Bit of Everything? LinkLube All Weather Has Your Back
Here in the UK, you rarely get a ride that’s fully dry or properly wet — it’s mostly something in-between. That’s why we made LinkLube All Weather.
This clever bottle contains two layers:
🔵 A blue blend of waxes and greases
⚪ A clear anti-corrosive oil
Shake it up, and the clear stuff drives the lube deep into your chain’s links and rollers, where it matters most. Then it separates, leaving the thicker, protective stuff behind. The result? Durability in the wet, cleanliness in the dry — without the drawbacks of either extreme.
✅ Best for: Mixed conditions, UK loam, year-round riding
❌ Not ideal: Total dust bowls or proper bogs (for those, use Dry or Wet respectively)
Want to Level Up? Try LinkLube All Weather Premium
Same genius formula, just dialled up to 11. With refined ingredients, LinkLube All Weather Premium offers even better cleanliness and increased durability — without needing to remortgage your house.
Perfect if you’re the type who wants the best and doesn’t mind spending a little more to get it.
Don’t Forget to Degrease Right
All of our lubes are designed to work with our non-solvent Foaming Drivetrain Degreaser. No harsh chemicals, no damage to your bearings. Just spray, scrub, and rinse.
And if you’ve gone too hard with other lubes and ended up with the dreaded black gunk, there’s always our XXX Solvent Degreaser — just be aware it’ll strip more than just the surface crud if you’re not careful.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right lube isn’t about hype — it’s about matching your conditions. Whether it’s dusty trails, sloppy mud-fests, or something in-between, there’s a LinkLube for that.
👉 Stay clean. Ride longer. Replace your chain less.
