Rock ’n’ Roll Extreme Chain Lubricant

Rock 'n' Roll's Extreme chain lube is described as being 'for the nastiest, gnarliest, wettest and muckiest conditions' and the 16oz bottle is reckoned to last several seasons (it's out of stock at the moment, but 4oz bottles are available). Another space age wonder lube, I hear you groan. However, it's really rather good, and several weeks spent bombing along waterlogged B roads suggests there's substance to the hype.

Talking of substance, it's a clever petrochemical formula that employs a gel membrane suspended within the potent-smelling solvent fluid. This carries it deep within the chain's moving components, keeping them mobile and richly lubricated without attracting dirt.

> Buy this online here

The entire series is very different from other lubricants in several respects. Rock 'n' Roll suggests there's no need to clean chains of existing lube since the rich solvent component will strip them pretty much on contact.

In practice, this varies – it's true of some, including light to middleweight wax and PTFE based variants, but those chains fed syrupy wet lubes (especially with embedded contaminant) are best treated to a thorough degreasing first.

With bikes outside (or in a well ventilated outbuilding) and rag to hand, shake the Extreme and drizzle it atop the links while rotating the cranks. Give it a few seconds, then wipe the excess from outer plates, ring(s), derailleur cages and jockey wheels.

Failure to stick to this will result in residual gunge clinging on and attracting other contaminants after a matter of 20 miles or so – I called its bluff and lost.

Unlike the super-runny types, there's relatively little waste, and in common with Fenwick's Stealth, you can ride off in a matter of minutes, but for best results, leave it curing overnight.

From the outset, friction is minimal, comparable with the barely-there preps but with the staying prowess of a wet formula.

Long nocturnal rides on my fixer confirmed a serene, silent swoosh that remained squeak-free despite very wet B roads carpeted with a cocktail of dung, silt, twigs and often road salt. I've clocked up 350 miles in these contexts without a hint of orange taint, tinkling or the need to reapply to date.

Speaking of which, Rock n' Roll suggests leaving top-ups until absolutely necessary. Results have been similarly pleasing when applied to my 'cross bike which has enjoyed a comparable diet with boggy, bridle path, green lane and salty coastal causeways for good measure.

A slightly grimy patina has developed over this period; on par with Fenwick's Stealth and not enough to justify wiping the links.

> Don't know the best way to clean and lube your chain? Follow our step-by-step guide

Ultimately, I'm very impressed, and this would be my first choice for mountain biking, cyclo-cross and general winter riding.

However, while its longevity and cleanliness aren't in question, the ticket price will put some off. True, it's competitive, cheaper than some of this genre and relatively inexpensive in the long run, but many riders will consider more basic formulas and replacement chains better economics.

Verdict

Very clever lube that goes a very long way and remains surprisingly clean – if you can justify the initial asking price