After five years of development in cooperation with SCC Tech, Wolf Tooth Components has released their WT-1 Chain Lube.
WT-1 Chain Lube is a premium synthetic chain lubricant and a drivetrain treatment for all conditions in the same bottle. It cleans and protects chains while improving overall mechanical efficiency of a drivetrain. This allows cyclists to have just WT-1 Chain Lube on hand, instead of separate dry chain lube, wet chain lube, chain cleaner, and drivetrain treatment. As a synthetic chain lubricant, WT-1 will improve the mechanical efficiency of your drivetrain while lasting 3-5x longer than most other chain lubes because it binds so well with chains. As a drivetrain treatment, WT-1 will clean your chain by pushing dirt and debris to the surface where it can be wiped away, then it will protect your chain in all riding conditions and allow you to ride longer between applications.
- Cleans, lubricates, and protects chains
- Peak performance in all conditions
- Optimal choice for complex modern drivetrains
- Available in 2.0 and 0.5 fl oz bottles, sold individually and by the box
- Easy to use; application takes less than a minute
- Also works on other places of your bike, including hubs, cables, and pulley wheels
WT-1 Chain Lube is a synthetic chain lubricant and a drivetrain treatment for all conditions in the same bottle. It cleans and protects chains while improving overall mechanical efficiency of a drivetrain. This allows cyclists to have just WT-1 Chain Lube on hand, instead of separate dry chain lube, wet chain lube, chain cleaner, and drivetrain treatment.
This new chain lube was developed for use in all conditions, as it brings together the best features of dry lube and wet lube. Like dry lubes, WT-1 Chain Lube has a lower viscosity than wet lubes, which allows for better efficiency and attracts less dirt and other contaminants. And like wet lubes, WT-1 Chain Lube has a higher ratio of lubricant per fluid ounce than dry lubes that allows cyclists to go longer between applications, as it stays on your chain better in wet conditions.
Wolf Tooth engineers are experts in chainrings, chain wear, and drivetrain efficiency and have developed more than 300 chainrings with three different tooth profiles. As chains and drivetrains get more complex, it is vital for chain lubricants to meet these new, specific needs. We’ve found WT-1 Chain Lube to be an optimal choice for modern drivetrains, especially Shimano HG+. The Shimano HG+ chain, for example, relies on a sliding motion where angled chain plates come in contact with chainring teeth during pedaling. This is in comparison with chains that only engage with chainrings via chain rollers. Because WT-1 Chain Lube binds so well with the metal plates of a chain and protects both surfaces, wear of the chain and chainring is drastically limited.
During extensive product testing, WT-1 Chain Lube has been found to last 3-5 times longer than most other chain lubes due to its development for all conditions. The secret to this longevity is due to the amount of lubricant present in each bottle. WT-1 Chain Lube is 95% lubricant and 5% carrier fluid. Most other chain lubes are roughly 20-50% lubricant. This composition allows WT-1 Chain Lube to bind to the metal of a chain and serve as a protective barrier between the chain and drivetrain components while lubricating the entire system.
WT-1 Chain Lube is also a drivetrain treatment and cleaner. A detergent-like additive is present in WT-1 that cleans a chain by bringing dirt and debris to the surface where it can be easily wiped away. It works by penetrating every tiny gap and crevice between plates, pins, and rollers to attack contaminants and make it easy to clean the chain. Where wax-based lubricants can actually trap in dirt and debris that can increase wear of the chain, WT-1 Chain Lube removes these contaminants from the chain and repels them during rides.
Ease of use is also important in selecting a chain lubricant and chain treatment. The complete application process of WT-1 Chain Lube takes less than a minute and there is no need to clean your chain before getting started. Here’s how to begin using WT-1 Chain Lube.
- Shake bottle of WT-1 for 30 seconds. A ball bearing is present in every bottle to help mix things up.
- Apply one drop to each roller of your chain. We recommend applying WT-1 Chain Lube to the top side of your chain between your derailleur and chainring, just in front of that lower pulley wheel.
- Backpedal 20-30 times. This helps WT-1 Chain Lube find its way between all the pieces of your chain.
- Wipe chain with microfiber cloth until it appears clean with a light sheen. It’ll look extra dirty at first, then it will clear up as you wipe away that dirt.
- Ride your bike. Reapply at least once every 400 miles.
After your first couple applications, you’ll notice that your chain looks extra dirty following your first few rides. This means that WT-1 Chain Lube is working because that detergent-like additive has made its way into the gaps and crevices of your chain and is actively pushing out dirt, grease, and debris. You’ll want to wipe down your chain after those first few rides to remove chain contaminants. As you ride more and more, you’ll see WT-1 get into its stride and your chain will be clean, silent, and efficient.
Beyond the chain, WT-1 Chain Lube will improve overall mechanical efficiency of drivetrains and can be used on other moving pieces of a bike, including pulley wheels, hubs, cables, and more. Be sure to wipe away any excess chain lube after applying to other areas of your bike.
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
Websites:
Bike World News
Ron’s Bike Garage
Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
Day Job: Digital Marketing
Night Job: Digital Marketing, eCommerce Consultant, Web Consultant, Bike Shop Operator, Husband, Dad, Tenor