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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE DECEMBER 17th 2025
HOW DO WE REACH THE OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Muc-Off C3 All Weather Chain Lube
50ml £ 11.25
The Muc-Off C3 All Weather Chain Lube is described as, “A high-performance synthetic lubricant infused with Boron Nitride additives. The unique water repellent, non-fling formula penetrates deep into the chain link, to create a durable protective coating which guards against corrosion and metal-to-metal contact which reduces wear resulting in a longer lasting drivetrain.” I’ve been impressed with its staying prowess, minimal fling and relatively low friction. It’s held out very well along some waterlogged roads and grotty trails. However, while cleaner than its lowlier sibling and traditional wet lubes, its not obviously better than Weldtite’s considerably cheaper All Weather Lube and the four hour curing time won’t suit everyone.
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Pros: Low friction, durable for a middleweight lube, economical to apply, temperature stable, minimal fling, relatively clean when applied sparingly, modest transfer to hands, nice range of sizes.
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Cons: 4 hour curing times.
Specification
Muc-Off tell me it’s a synthetic blend employing pressure additives and Boron Nitride that mean it will stay put and resist corrosion without the stodginess that can be characteristic of traditional wet formulas. Boron Nitride is a mix of Boron and Nitrogen atoms used within various applications, including automotive. It’s sometimes referred to as “White Graphite” and, supposedly, offers high levels of thermal stability and lubrication. In the context of chain lubes, it’s best thought of as a stopper, one that prevents the friction-busting fluro-polymers being swept away by the first dodgy puddle.
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In common with others in Muc-Off’s range, the C3 Ceramic is UV sensitive and comes complete with a little UV torch, which ensures even coverage. Aside from chains, the C3 Ceramic can also be applied to cleat mechanisms, fasteners, trailer hitches and freewheel mechanisms. On the stocky side for cables and pivot points mind, so stick with a maintenance spray such as their MO94.
Before I forget, there are three sizes; a tour friendly 50ml, 120ml, and 300ml refill for those running a big fleet or wedded to the lube. The latter comes complete with a silicone funnel for waste-free bottle replenishment.
Application
First time round, strip recipient drivetrains of any trace, pre-existing lube - including the ring(s), derailleur jockey wheels, cage and cassette. With this in mind, I’ve tended to combine this with a wider sudsy bucket sprucing, although on cleaner bikes, I’ve had good results using a solvent-based degreaser spray on the cassette and derailleur, a fluid - based product on the chain, dried with some old, clean rags.
That done, shake the C3 bottle vigorously for thirty seconds, pop the spout and put 1-2 drops into every link. The long, thin spout and middleweight viscosity makes delivery easy and controlled, but as with the Weldtite All Weather and similar lubes, best done outside on old concrete. If you must go the indoor route, place the bike on old newspaper, or “mechanics mat”.
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It emerges clear, but assuming you’re not delivering it in poorly lit conditions, the UV torch is nice, not crucial. Spin the cranks a few times and wipe the side plates, then leave curing. Use the rag to protect electroplated frame ends and other metal surfaces you might want to protect on a winter build, or daily driver. In temperatures between 6 and 17 degrees, this has taken four hours, although other than to test claims, I’ve left it overnight.
Test Bikes & Contexts
Ours arrived in the last week of October when the temperature was a spring-like 17 degrees, although temperatures tanked and conditions turned progressively wetter, muddier, and icier as November unfolded.
I had replaced Denise’s KMC chain, so wasted no time applying to this and Muffin’s Izumi track chain, leaving Ursula’s dressed in Weldtite All Weather Lube as a control.
Lubrication 3.75/5
While slightly thicker than the Weldtite All Weather, the C3 Ceramic seeps deep within the chain, coating the rollers and pins. Anecdotally, friction felt lower and on geared builds, shifting slightly friskier, particularly under load. I initially attributed this to freshly lubricated chains, especially the fixed, but this continued pretty much until the lube was spent and no matter how low the temperature fell. Talking of which temperature stability is consistent.
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At the upper end, no oily spatter along the right hand chainstay, although in common with similar lubes, over time, it will transfer across the cassette and derailleur cages, offering decent protection from wet, corrosive influences. A drop or so on cleat mechanisms is all that’s needed to keep entry and exit snappy and predictable but without becoming a gloopy mess. A trace on cable ends was also effective at keeping the elements out, but I do literally mean a trace. More and you’ll be needing to blast cables through with water displacers - WD40, MO94, GT85 etc. On balance, it has kept threaded fasteners mobile, but those seeking a grease substitute for stem, seat binder and frame end adjuster screws are better served with a more traditional wet formulas, such as Zefal Pro Wet Chain Lube.
Cleanliness & Durability 3.5/5
Cleanliness is slightly better than other middleweights and most obviously, Weldtite All Weather Chain Lube and indeed, Muc-Off’s All Wather Chain Lube very worthy baseline. I’ve stuck to the textbook, single drop on every link, rather than two. Exposed to fourteen days of persistently waterlogged lanes and gritty gravel roads, the side plates and derailleur jockey wheels and rings sported a modest layer of grime-easily dismissed with a clean rag dipped in a little solvent.
Transfer to hands is similarly modest and slightly better than the other middleweights discussed here. Packing some disposable examination gloves in case of a puncture or needing to tackle the drivetrain is a sensible precaution on a grotty day but otherwise, modest.
Staying prowess is impressive. I’ve returned 330 miles from a single application, in the wet and sometimes freezing conditions. 260 on the fixed during a spell of waterlogged lanes carpeted with agricultural slurry. By these points, it was turning filmy, but this lubricant layer was still doing its thing and keeping corrosion at bay.
This latter remark is significant since Muc-Off suggest reapplying after very wet rides to prevent the dreaded amber freckling. This may be the case following some river riding or similarly extreme mountain bike enduro events but hasn’t been necessary to date. When its reached the filmy stage, you can simply top-up (although I’d give the chain a clean rag cat lick beforehand). Oh, and if you’re in the arse end of nowhere when the faint metal on metal tinkling kicks in, you can drizzle a little on and scoot home. Bargain on 50 miles or so before you’re needing to re-lube, but your chain will thank you.
Value 3.25/5
£11.25 for the bar bag friendly 50ml, or £23. (Now reduced to £17.50) for the 120ml is a good bit steeper than the Weldtite All Weather Lube, but not outlandish alongside other sophisticated synthetics. Before I go further down the comparison route, it’s worth saying I get around 1500miles from a ten-speed chain, so working on the basis of 500 odd miles from a single application, I’d only need to apply three times, possibly less during a drier spell.
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Right, back to the competition. Peaty’s Link Lube Premium All Weather could give the C3 Ceramic All Weather a good run for your yard earned. It’s now £19.99 for 120ml and impressed Steve with its mix of cleanliness and staying prowess. While application is slightly more involved, there’s no curing time, which is an obvious boon. I’ve used its All-Weather counterpart long term, and the hybrid blend has impressed me with its cleanliness but its best suited to fair-weather conditions - spring, summer through to early autumn. Tru Tension Banana Slip Tungsten All Weather Lube is very clean and has returned over 500miles during a dry spell, but this has dropped below 350 in wetter conditions.
By no means poor, but a good bit short of the others discussed. Zefal Pro Wet Chain Lube is durable and cheap as the proverbial. That said, PTFE and mineral oils aren’t particularly planet friendly.
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Not keen on petrochemicals? NZero Bike Wet Lube 100ml is a remarkably tenacious plant-based blend. However, while tenacious, Steve “only” returned 300 miles from a single application in changeable, mixed terrain contexts and it will also attract dirt.
Summary
There are middleweights that represent better value, some commanding similar price tags that run cleaner. Nonetheless, Muc-Off C3 Ceramic All Weather Chain Lube will rival many wet lubes on the durability front and without giving that slightly syrupy feel to the drivetrain. The latter might be less of an issue on a fixed, or internal hub transmission but not ideal on a gravel, or audax build with mid to upper end groupset.
Verdict: 3.5/5 Durable middleweight lube living up to its all-weather moniker but curing times won’t suit everyone.
Michael Stenning
C3 All Weather Ceramic Lube | Muc-Off UK
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 2025
