Pro tips: how to lube a bike chain

Chain lube keeps your chain running smoothly around your chainrings and cassette, turning your effort into speed. It reduces friction, so your drivetrain components will last longer, and prevents corrosion. A well-lubed chain is a quiet chain too.

Learn how to lube your chain like our pro mechanics before you go out and enjoy your next ride.

Our mechanics use Muc-Off’s full range of chain lubes. Each lube is formulated to perform in different conditions. For racing, our riders prefer Muc-Off’s Hydrodynamic lube, a hand-blended, high-performance formula designed specifically for WorldTour racing. Muc-Off’s C3 Ceramic wet and dry lubes are excellent too. The C3 Wet Weather Ceramic Lube ensures ultra-low friction performance from the start to the finish of the rainiest, muddiest classics. On clean roads, Muc-Off’s C3 Dry Weather Ceramic Lube is almost unrivaled. Nano ceramic particles and synthetic polymers provide ultra-low-friction lubrication. For training, Muc-Off’s everyday dry-weather and wet-weather lubes are great too. Choose the right lube for your ride and the conditions you will face on the road.

Always clean your chain before applying lube. Otherwise, you will just be coating dirt and grit from your earlier rides. Muc-Off’s Bio Chain Cleaner gets rid of the heaviest grime fast. Rinse your drivetrain with water. Cover up your disk brakes. Give the can a shake and apply the Bio Chain Cleaner to the drivetrain while turning your pedals backwards. Give it a good scrub with a brush or sponge. The formula will break down oil and grease to leave your chain sparkling. Rinse your whole drivetrain with water.

Apply lube to the inside of the chain, adding a drop to each link from the pipette of the bottle. It’s easiest to do this on the surface running from the bottom of your chainrings to the jockey wheels of your rear derailleur, while turning the cranks backwards. Make sure that each link is lubricated. Then run the chain between your fingers while turning the cranks backwards for a few rotations to let it penetrate.

Wipe your chain with a rag, while turning the cranks backwards. Better use one of Muc-Off’s Microfiber cloths, which will absorb any excess lube easily. Now go out and have fun on your ride!