Green Oil Dry Chain Wax

Green Oil Dry Chain Wax is of the super-clean, friction-busting variety and seems equal to, if not better than, many derived from petrochemical stock. Achieving 200 miles plus per application through an unseasonably wet and chilly April is pretty competitive, although emulsion types brewed for dry, dusty conditions, such as Squirt, are superior options for a three-seasons, self-cleansing blend. 

Precise ingredients are hush-hush, but I can tell you it's made from a blend of plant-based ethanol, which serves as the carrier and primer for the dry lubricant. It's every bit as flammable as petrochemical solvents, so apply carefully and store away from sources of ignition.

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Strip chains of any existing/residual lube by your preferred method, dry using a clean rag, and keep another handy to catch the overspill. Having given the bottle a vigorous shake, pop the spout and drizzle into every link and leave to cure for seven minutes, until it assumes a clear waxy state.

Previous experience suggests adding a second layer and allowing a further 20 minutes before heading out, regardless of season and/or air temperature.

A drop or two also reaps surprising reward on metal on metal surfaces including cleat mechanisms, and it works a treat on pivot points, cables and derailleur springs, too, keeping them slick without cultivating gungy beards.

Responsiveness is easily on par with petrochemical competition – we are talking minimal friction – and true to claims, it didn't transfer readily to hands, clothing or other surfaces, which is a definite plus whether you're riding in office smarts, tending roadside mechanicals, or just carrying bikes.

The main difference between Green Oil and some competitor formulas is that it assumes a middleweight, dirt-repelling film rather than shedding embedded contaminant as you ride.

Formative testing along moderately damp, greasy December roads were very promising: shifts were slick and contaminant a minor issue. Predictably, this was short-lived; 65 miles was pretty much tops before that faint but annoying tinkling set in.

Commuting and general riding in wetter conditions saw this dip to around 45 miles per application, which is pretty poor compared with emulsion types (these typically take a few hours to cure but are a bit stiffer and less season-specific). Thankfully the 100ml bottle slips unobtrusively in wedge packs or jersey pockets, so topping up proved pretty convenient – two coats cured in the time it takes to guzzle coffee/cake and chew the cud with fellow riders.

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While useful in the sense of revealing its limitations, this environment isn't a fair reflection of its performance. Revisited through April and early May, it's proven an extremely clean, friction-busting lube that, even during some seriously ropey weather, has clocked up 135 road miles per application and 225 during drier spells and along dusty trails.

Ultimately, it's horses-for-courses here; there are better choices for three-seasons, general riding. However, with one exception (Rock n Roll Absolute Dry), it's definitely equal to if not better than other brands' summer-biased wax preps. Its eco-friendly composition is simply a bonus.

Verdict

Clean, friction-busting spring and summer lube on par with petrochemical equivalents