Bike Care Combo Pack (Engine Oil + Chain Lube + Cleaner)

Motul Factory Line Racing chain lube, $12.58 for 9.3-ounce can

Motul offers three different flavors of chain lube, but the Factory Line is the most popular, probably because it says it’ll add “1 horse power or more” on the label. It has a whitish hue due to boron additives that act as a non-sticky lubricant, the idea being that a less tacky lube saps less power. That being said, since this lube is less tenacious, you’ll need to apply it more frequently. And expect to wait a while before you ride, because the Factory Line takes a solid 15 minutes to set up.

Bel-Ray Super Clean lube, $8.56 for a 5.9-ounce can or $15.27 for a 13.6-ounce can 

This lube comes out thick and has an almost opaque white appearance, which makes it easy to see if you’ve achieved proper coverage. A classic red-straw nozzle puts the stuff right where it belongs, reducing overspray on your bike. The name “Super Clean” is more about how this lube won’t fling off onto your wheels or undertail or attract dirt as opposed to being colorless. Bel-Ray says the Super Clean lube “capitalizes on emerging lubricant technology” and is suitable for offroad, road, and racing applications.

Maxima Chain Wax, $7.50 for a 5.5-ounce can or $11.50 for a 13.5-ounce can

If you like to spray and go, Maxima’s Chain Wax is a good choice. It’s easy to apply thanks to the nozzle cap and sets up quickly so you can hit the road right away. It dries to a brownish waxy film that doesn’t fly off and doesn’t seem to attract grit, so your chain stays cleaner longer. 

Package deals 

Looking to snag a kit that handles all (or most of) your chain-care needs? There are a few options. Maxima bundles its popular Chain Clean, Multi Purpose Penetrating Lube (intended to be used as a water dispersant after washing the chain and as a general-purpose lube for fasteners, pivots, and cables), and Chain Wax for $27.95. Motul offers a Chain Care Kit that includes its Chain Clean and Chain Lube (in either off-road or road formulas), along with a set of nitrile gloves and a chain brush for $33.99. Motorex’s kit combines large cans of Chain Clean, Chain Lube, a big old paper towel, and a cute little 1.9-ounce travel-size can of lube into one package for $36.69. Finally, you can get the excellent Tirox 360 Brush along with a big can of Tirox chain cleaner for about $18.

Conclusion

Within the instructions for one cleaner is the assertion that “regular use considerably extends the working life of the chain.” That’s not marketing hype, and it’s a claim that applies to every product listed in this article, whether it’s a degreaser, a brush, or a lubricant.

There are a lot of products available to clean and lubricate your chain and it can be difficult to choose. At the end of the day, however, which cleaner, brush, or lube you use is less important than making sure you use it regularly.