The All Mountain Style Miami Glide

The All Mountain Style Miami Glide Bicycle Chain Wax 120ml £15

The All-Mountain Style Miami Chain Wax apparently came about because the founders couldn’t find a wax that was right for them, so designed their own. Devised and produced in Barcelona, it promises to remain clean in dry, dusty conditions without vanishing come the first hint of a shower. I’d describe it as combining the advantages of dry and wax lubes. Temperature stable in predominantly hot, dry weather, with some showery rides and standing water thrown in the mix, I’ve returned 280 miles from a single application.

Pros: Easy to apply

Nicely engineered dropper spout

Clean

Temperature stable

Long lasting in fair-weather contexts

Cons: Long curing times

Specification

Available in 120ml, or pocket friendly 15ml sizes, I’m told its 100% wax-based with no mineral oils, or similar ingredients. Beyond this, All Mountain Style were a little coy but would say plant and other synthetic waxes were involved. It certainly pours in a more predictable, less runny state than I’ve come to expect from dropper bottle blends, meaning it's easier, dare I say nicer to work with.

Application 3/5

In many respects, identical to other chain lubes, waxes in particular. Waxes need surgically clean hosts, otherwise they will not adhere properly. This includes the factory dressing applied to new chains. Indeed, if not dismissed, they can also lock grit in, causing accelerated drivetrain wear.

Ultrasonic cleaners are nice and will get chains, cassettes and rings surgically clean, but with a decent degreaser and careful technique, I’ve always achieved pleasing, contaminant-free results. Given I’ve been running other wax formulas for the past few months, I removed the drive-side cranks and really blitzed the rings, scrubbing everything with a religious fervour that scared the neighbours.

Reinstated, cleaned and dried, give the bottle a moderate 30 second shake to mix everything nicely. Pop the spout and drop into each link. It emerges a minty colour, meaning you can see exactly where you’ve been and how much you’ve applied. Spin the cranks a few times to ensure even penetration and leave curing.

The flow rate is really predictable, no wastage, no drips, or tell-tale spatter on concrete flooring. Cheeky top ups on the kitchen floor at your own risk, mind. Curing time is again, typical of waxes, although The Miami Glide assumes a clear, glazy state. Minimum is four hours, but for optimal performance, 7-8 hours/overnight.

I was decidedly eager to take Ursula for a shakedown ride following a recent overhaul and fettling orgy. Unable to resist beyond 3.5 hours, the chain was smooth and frisky, but staying prowess took a tangible hit. Where possible, leave it seven hours, even when it's north of 23 degrees. I’ve also applied a drop to cleat mechanisms, cable inner wires and jockey wheels.

Lubrication 3.75/5

Despite the flow rate, the Miami Glide penetrates comprehensively, so from the first few pedal strokes, chains feel smooth and silent. This was particularly apparent on Muffins’ KMC Z510- a cheap but very cheerful model aimed at BMX audiences but, in my experience, equally at home on fixed, single-speed and hub gear builds. Serenely quiet whether I was cruising at a steady pace along the flat or winching up steeper climbs with my full weight dancing on the pedals.

Cleat entry/release was similarly sweet and dependable, several weeks later and worked surprisingly well on cables, specifically that commanding Ursula’s rear TRP Spyre calliper. Much the same story with my derailleur geared fleet, shifts were quiet and smooth. While there wasn’t much in it, compared with the Muc-Off Dark Energy Chain Wax, using fresh chains, shifting wasn’t quite so frisky, but nothing I’d be obsessing over.

In many respects, the characteristics are closer to a wax/dry lube hybrid, staying put but remaining cleaner. Heatwaves have given way to explosive storms, and I’ve been impressed by it's staying prowess and temperature stability. 28-35 degrees has seen it assume a more fluid form, but stops short of oily and no issues with gooey melt. Along the wetter sections, there’s been no call to reapply and no evidence of taint-on or off road, which suggests All Mountain Style have got the alchemy right.

Cleanliness 4/5

Broadly comparable to Momum MIC Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing and Weldtite Wax Lube Weldtite Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing, Broadly comparable to Momum MIC Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing and Weldtite Wax Lube Weldtite Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing, Even in temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, I’ve been astonished by how little transfer there has been to hands-closer to a dry lube in this respect. Consequently, cassettes, jockey wheels and rings have remained noticeably cleaner, compared with other wax formulas.

There’s been a trace layering of dust, but no embedded grit or grime, extending cleaning intervals. To date, I've been able to reapply straight to the chains-no need to run them through a rag dipped in solvent first. 500 miles in and having checked the derailleur chains, there’s been no tangible evidence of wear. )Ursula’s X10 was packet-fresh, Denise’s registered .25 when testing commenced).

Durability 3.5/5

Wax lubes have become more stoical, with some, specifically the Momum MICMomum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing, exceeding 400 miles from a single application in comparable test conditions. Otherwise, 150 miles is more typical. I’ve managed 280 miles from a single helping on the road, dipping to 235 when a bit of moist trail and gravel fun, coupled with the odd sudsy bucket clean are thrown into the mix. Replenishment can, to some extent, be done without stripping any residual lube, which, allowing for the longer curing time, is convenient. I have taken the degreaser route when this coincided with a deeper bike clean.

Value 3.25/5

£15 is arguably upper midpoint. KMC Go is £18 for 150ml and promises to perform well in dry to damp conditions and is also available in a 500ml version for £55, which could work out cheaper in the longer run, if you were wedded to waxes, at least for fair weather contexts. You can also pay more, Muc-Off Dark Energy Chain Wax Muc-Off Dark Energy Chain Wax | cycling-not-racing is dearer at £23 for 120ml and impressed me with its longevity and overall performance. However, its properties are best appreciated on higher end groupsets and where lower-friction greases are employed in hubs, bottom brackets etc. Momum MIC Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing remains a firm favourite thanks to longevity and rapid curing times.

Tru Tension Banana Slip Tungsten All Weather Lube TRU TENSION TUNGSTEN ALL WEATHER LUBE | cycling-not-racing has also impressed me with its durability and similar rapid curing times, although £10 for 50ml works out dearer than The Miami Glide. Blub Wax Lube Blub Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing (£8.99) for 120ml is another competent and relatively durable formula that cures quickly and will suit bikes in daily service.

However, while representing very good value for money, it will require stripping and reapplying if bikes have been left standing for 48 hours or so. You can also pay a lot more. I’m quite fond of Silca Super-Secret Chain Coating Silca Super Secret Chain Coating | cycling-not-racing . It's relatively quick curing, runs clean and reasonably durable in drier conditions. However, staying power takes a hit when the weather turns more wintry and at £32, it's more than twice as much as the All-Mountain Style Miami Glide Chain Wax.

Summary

The All-Mountain Style Miami Glide Chain Wax is one of those understated, but very competent chain lubes. Some waxes run slightly cleaner; others claim higher performance gains, others cure faster. However, The Miami Glide Chain Wax is less messy to apply, performs well across the board and represents decent value for money.

Michael Stenning

Verdict 3.75/5 Very clean, durable wax-a great default for fairweather riding

Extra UK