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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE: NOVEMBER 12th
HOW DO WE DECIDE OUR OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Blub Wax Lube
120ml £8.99 Mid Term (3 Month) Test
The Blub Wax Lube behaves much like more traditional waxes but with relatively quick curing times, and all told, super durability. I’ve run ours through the early season through to summer, which have been very changeable and even through colder, wetter spells consistently returned 225 miles from a single application. Corrosion resistance in these contexts has also been superior to other waxes I’ve used.
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Pros: Generally quick curing times, easy and convenient top up, durable by wax standards, competitively priced.
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Cons: Slow curing times in cooler weather, needs a fastidiously clean drivetrain first time round, needs reapplying if bike(s) haven’t been ridden for 48 hours.
Specification
Blub tells me it's primarily paraffin and water but there is another ingredient shared with its ceramic sibling, designed to improve adhesion. Blub say their wax doesn’t have solvents, oils or fats and their waxes are of a higher quality than other brands, thus improving durability and lubrication. Something I’d broadly agree with, given the last ten weeks or so.
Though not universally so, waxes tend to leave chains more prone to light corrosion, given the lack of oil. Paraffin offers lubrication but once this has dropped away, taking any contaminant with it, the filmy layer offers little protection along damp roads, or trails.
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There are two sizes. Our standard 120ml and a ride convenient 15ml (about 0.51 oz). Blub suggests the 120ml (about 4.06 oz) bottle is good for 80 applications, the 15ml (about 0.51 oz) 10. Blub states 100-120 km (about 74.56 miles) per application, which struck me as rather poor but in practice, performance has been considerably better.
Application 3.25/5
Get drivetrains surgically clean using your chosen degreaser and scrubbing arsenal. Dry thoroughly, especially if you’ve used a solvent based stripper, otherwise this (or any residual water) will prevent the lube adhering properly. Give the bottle a good shake to blend the components, twist the pout and drop into every link. Its creamy hue means it's easy to see where you’ve been and less runny than some. The spout design certainly helps too, although I wouldn’t risk applying on the kitchen linoleum and temperature has some influence.
Ideal temperatures are 15 degrees plus. From here, give the cranks a quick spin and leave curing. Blub reckon two minutes before you can scoot off. In my experience, temperatures between 12 and 23 degrees, this was closer to 30 minutes.
Quick by wax standards, mind. Bargain on overnight (8 hours) if applying in temperatures between 5 and 12 degrees, although in in a pinch, I’ve been able to scoot off in 90-minutes, without putting a major dent in staying power. Either way, it will assume a clear glaze when ride ready.
Performance 3.75/5
Overall performance has been better than I’ve come to expect from wax lubes per se. The formula is very invasive, meaning the chain’s components are thoroughly lubricated. This was particularly obvious from the first few pedal strokes. Friction felt higher than those leaning toward the drier end of the wax spectrum but anecdotally, on par with emulsions. Similarly, shifts were slick, rather than crisp but not to a point where it stifled the charms of mid-range drivetrains.
Even during drier spells, I noted it didn’t dry out and become flaky in the manner I’ve come to expect from paraffin-based blends, and this may explain how it stayed put along some decidedly soggy April saunters with Ursula.
Even in those contexts, ridden daily, I returned 225miles from a single application. Something I also attribute to the adhesive chemicals. These seem to work to the same principle as synthetic motor oils, i.e., regenerated under pressure. In this instance cadence, not an oil pump.
In lower to mid teen temperatures (5-18 degrees) the lube’s slightly tacky state attracts and locks grit and other abrasive nasties within the outer layer. Chain and cassette may look a little grubby and it will transfer more readily to hands, so carry a set of examination gloves, just in case you need to tackle a flat, or similar. However, the lube will be reclaimed from the cassette as you shift and beyond a certain point, it will drop away in small flakes.
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Closer in nature to Peaty’s Link Lube, we’re talking tiny flakes, rather than iceberg type, which may also explain the Blub’s improved longevity. Flooded roads with dung thrown in for good measure defined the first few weeks of our test period but to my surprise, the Blub wax stayed put for 225 miles.
A fair bit longer than the Silca Secret Formula in comparable conditions (although the Silca was a little cleaner, on balance). Applied to Denise’s drivetrain, in mixed terrain spring and early summer contexts, I’ve cruised past the 300 mark before needing to top up. By this point, the lube wasn’t exhausted, nor was the chain showing any sign of taint. However, the lubricant layer had become incredibly filmy, and the chain visibly parched in places.
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The secret bonding ingredient seems to rejuvenate the lube under cadence, much as a car oil pump will fully synthetic oils, which again may explain the improved durability. However, my minor niggle is that if you don’t ride for 48-hours or so, you’ll need to replenish. A moot point on tour, on a training bike, or daily driver, but a pain on a Sunday best, or Sunny day’s plaything. In fairness, Blub makes this very clear, so more of a consideration than outright con. It does mean, unlike some wax formulas, it's less useful for cables, mechanisms (e.g., trailer hitches and cleats).
I’ve alternated between leaving the congealed gunky residue clinging to jockey wheels and derailleur cages and cleaning them with a Q-tip. As the temperatures rise, the wax turns closer to a hybrid i.e., slightly oily, but it hasn’t melted like some traditional waxes have. Again, the congealed stuff may look unsightly, but the lion’s share will scab away of its own accord.
Value 4/5
£8.99 for 120ml (about 4.06 oz) is extremely competitive. There are some costing a fair bit more, others jostling alongside. Peaty’s Link Lube Dry £12.99 (120ml) is a hybrid blend, in the strictest sense but shares similar properties and characteristics. Most notably that it will flake off in small quantities, shedding contaminant and still leaving lubricant behind.
However, for all its charms, the Blub has returned better mileages per application when things turn damp, let alone more persistent. At the other end of the price spectrum, we’ve the Silca Super Secret Chain Coating £32. (120ml) . It’s clean, low on the friction front and quick to cure but in comparable conditions can’t hold a candle to the Blub’s staying prowess and is three times the asking price. A more traditional, petrochemical free blend is Bat Chain Lube, £8.99 for 125ml.
We’ve been impressed by its blend of planet friendly credentials, cleanliness and relative durability in dry weather. Long curing times are a downside. Zefal Extra Dry Chain Wax £7.99 for 120ml is another very traditional, inexpensive wax employing petrochemicals. It's more temperature sensitive, tending to melt quite messily (although easily reclaimed by the chain when shifting) but again, can’t compete with the Blub’s staying prowess.
Momum MIC Wax Lube £13.99 for 120ml (about 4.06 oz) is another contender blessed with quick curing times, cleanliness and I’ve returned 400 miles from a single application, albeit in a predominantly dry summer period. Smoove Universal Chain Lube £14.99 (125ml) is an emulsion type wax that is reasonably durable, so good for Spring, Summer and early Autumn. That said, it requires several hours curing time, which won’t be to all tastes.
Summary
The Blub Wax has impressed me with its staying prowess, and I’ve returned much better miles per application than I would expect, even in some very scuzzy early spring conditions. Qualities that lend it well to touring, training and multi day events between May and October. The need to replenish, if bikes have been resting longer than 48 hours is slightly annoying but during Spring and summer, you’re not held hostage to long curing times either.
Verdict: 3.75/5 Quirky but relatively durable wax lube.
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Michael Stenning
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PUBLISHED JULY 2024