Just like any other vehicle, bicycles require regular upkeep and maintenance to ensure they're kept in working order. That's why using the right bike chain oil or bicycle chain lube is crucial for extending your bike's lifespan and improving performance.
Choosing the best bike chain oil can be overwhelming, as there are various options designed for different environments and how often you use your bike. To save you time, we've reviewed and compared the top 10 bike chain oils and lubricants in the UK, including WD-40, Muc-Off, Fenwicks and Finish Line for racing bikes, road bikes, MTBs and more.
The first thing you'll want to consider is whether you'd prefer a liquid or spray lubricant as both come with drawbacks and benefits. Spray oils are easy to apply thanks to the pressurised container, making them a good option for quickly and easily lubricating your chain and gears. However, accuracy can be difficult, meaning you may end up using more than you need and creating a mess.
Liquid lubricants require a bit more precision to use, but are far more accurate, helping to avoid any unwanted spillage. They do tend to be more expensive than spray oils. Although, they will go a lot further per millilitre, which may be well worth the investment if you cycle regularly.
Stay comfortable both on and off-road with a bike seat cover.
Depending on the conditions you ride in, you'll need a wet, dry, or all-purpose lubricant. Dry oils are better suited to serious racing or mountain bikes, as it's usually thinner and doesn't pick up dirt and grit in the same way a wet oil can. The downside is that it has to be reapplied often, especially in winter as it washes away in the rain.
Wet and all-purpose oils make a better choice for UK weather conditions and regular bike usage, as you don't have to constantly reapply it. The more waterproof the oil, the more viscous it tends to be meaning it can pick up dirt that can affect the smoothness of your ride. For general and recreational use, this isn't noticeable, but can make all the difference when competing.
Don't get caught out on the road by picking up a bike tool kit!
When considering any bike chain oil, you'll want to have some idea of what the lubricant is made of. Some formulas will include silicone, Teflon, and other added polymers which can increase the oil's efficiency and resistance to water and dirt. Anti-rust and corrosion formulas are also common in bike chain oils to help keep all moving parts healthy.
If you've switched to cycling because of its green credentials, you may want to avoid oils and lubricants with added silicone. That said, the benefits of a high-quality, long-lasting oil far outweigh the negatives, and it's worth noting that nearly all synthetic oils are biodegradable, including Teflon.
Avoid getting stranded out in the countryside by carrying a puncture repair kit wherever you cycle!
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() WD-40 | 2 ![]() Fenwick's | 3 ![]() Finish Line | 4 ![]() Muc-Off | 5 ![]() GT85 | 6 ![]() Muc-Off | 7 ![]() Finish Line | 8 ![]() Fenwicks | 9 ![]() Weldtite | 10 ![]() Muc-Off |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | All Conditions Chain Lube | Wet Weather Chain Lubricant | Dry Cycling Chain Lubricant | Dry Lube | Multi-purpose PTFE Spray | Wet Chain Lube | Wet Lube Cross Country Lubricant | Stealth Road Bike Chain Lube | Cycling Dry Lube Bike Lubricant | C3 Ceramic Dry Chain Lube |
Features | A Specialist Formula From the Nation’s Favourite Brand | Wet Weather Chain Oil That’s Suitable for All Conditions and Environments | Premium Lubricant for Competitive Road and Mountain Bikes | A Great Bike Chain Oil for Dry and Dusty Environments | Budget-Friendly, Extra Large Spray for All-Around Maintenance | Liquid Lube Perfect for General and Recreational Use | A Wet Weather Oil for Long Rides That Prevents Mud Build Up | The Perfect Choice for Road Cycling and Racers | A Solid Lubricant That Will Keep Your Chain Running Nicely | Ceramic Dry Lube That Shines Under UV Light |
Price | £6.00 | £6.89 | £12.95 | £6.75 | £3.75 | £6.85 | £7.99 | £7.50 | £6.99 | £9.99 |
Spray / Liquid | Spray | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | Spray | Liquid | Spray | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid |
Wet / Dry | Both | Both | Dry | Dry | Both | Wet | Wet | Both | Dry | Dry |
Formulation | Wax-free | - | Teflon | Dust-repellent | Teflon | - | - | No | Teflon | Ceramic coating |
Moisture Repellant | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Anti-Corrosion | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Volume | 250 ml | 100 ml | 120 ml | 120 ml | 400 ml | 120 ml | 120 ml | 100 ml | 125 ml | 120 ml |
Link |
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£6.00
Spray / Liquid | Spray |
---|---|
Wet / Dry | Both |
Formulation | Wax-free |
Moisture Repellant | Yes |
Anti-Corrosion | Yes |
Volume | 250 ml |
£6.89
Spray / Liquid | Liquid |
---|---|
Wet / Dry | Both |
Formulation | - |
Moisture Repellent | Yes |
Anti-corrosion | No |
Volume | 100 ml |
£12.95
Spray / Liquid | Liquid |
---|---|
Wet / Dry | Dry |
Formulation | Teflon |
Moisture Repellent | No |
Anti-Corrosion | No |
Volume | 120 ml |
£6.75
Spray / Liquid | Liquid |
---|---|
Wet / Dry | Dry |
Formulation | Dust-repellent |
Moisture Repellent | No |
Anti-Corrosion | No |
Volume | 120 ml |
£3.75
Liquid / Spray | Spray |
---|---|
Wet / Dry | Both |
Formulation | Teflon |
Moisture Repellent | No |
Anti-corrosion | Yes |
Volume | 400 ml |
£6.85
Liquid / Spray | Liquid |
---|---|
Wet / Dry | Wet |
Formulation | - |
Moisture Repellent | Yes |
Anti-Corrosion | No |
Volume | 120 ml |
£7.99
Liquid / Spray | Spray |
---|---|
Wet / Dry | Wet |
Formulation | - |
Moisture Repellent | Yes |
Anti-Corrosion | No |
Volume | 120 ml |
£7.50
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Wet / Dry | Both |
Formulation | No |
Moisture Repellent | No |
Anti-Corrosive | Yes |
Volume | 100 ml |
£6.99
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Wet / Dry | Dry |
Formulation | Teflon |
Moisture Repellent | Yes |
Anti-Corrosive | No |
Volume | 125 ml |
£9.99
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Wet / Dry | Dry |
Formulation | Ceramic coating |
Moisture Repellent | No |
Anti-Corrosion | No |
Volume | 120 ml |
Written and researched by David Sexton
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