Weldtite Wax Lube
100ml £8.99

The Weldtite Wax Lube is a more tenacious blend, less readily dismissed by changeable conditions, so more practical for everyday riding. In common with a lot of wax lubes, it requires several hours to cure. However, a single coat has returned 140miles through a very soggy September with waterlogged lanes. It also seems more temperature stable than I’ve come to expect from waxes and runs reassuringly clean.

Pros: Clean, good lubricant properties, temperature stable, copes well in damp to moderately wet conditions, keenly priced.

Cons: Longer curing times than some.

Specification

Waxes are traditionally associated with dry and dusty conditions but can differ in their characteristics. Some run very dry, so they don’t attract component chewing grime, others are more palpably waxy, trapping grit and dirt in the top layer and ultimately falling away, taking contaminant and leaving a thin lubricant layer behind. Then there are emulsion types that fall somewhere in between. One of the other problems with traditional formulas is their lack of an oil component meant unsightly taint in damp, let alone wet conditions.

Weldtite tell me this blend has been two years in the brewing and were understandably a little coy when discussing alchemy. They would say they’ve almost doubled the wax content, predominately vegetable based but with a petrochemical component. Apparently, there’s no other additive, although, they’ve boosted the other anti-wear components. Talking of boosting, Weldtite reckon their new version returns at least 300km (180 miles) from a single application, more if you’ve doubled up-yes, its very tolerant of this and doing so, hasn’t negatively extended curing times. Ours was the home friendly 100ml, but there’s a 400ml workshop size for shops, mechanics and those with big fleets and at the other extreme, a 20ml for on the bike.

Application 3.25/5

Ensure chains, cassette, derailleur(s) and rings are dinner plate clean and dried thoroughly. While generally temperature stable, reflected in a predictable flow rate, I wouldn’t chance the best lino. Park your bike(s) in the designated lubing, cleaning and fettling area and have some clean rag, or kitchen towel handy.

Give the Weldtite Wax lube a thorough 30-60 second shake to mix everything nicely. Pop the spout and apply to the chain, one link at a time. Turn the cranks a few revolutions to ensure even penetration (keeping the rag hovering beneath to capture any overspill) and either leave to cure or add a further coat. I also added a drop to cleat mechanisms.

Bargain on it turning to a clear glaze in four hours at 15 degrees before you can scoot off. As a side note, it will assume a vanilla-like hue on rings and other anodised surfaces. By and large, testing aside, I leave lubes curing overnight to remove any doubt. Not ideal for commuting, or if a mate’s dropped by for a blast unannounced but typical of waxes per se.

I measured chain wear, which was measured at .25 on derailleur chains. This was in part to see how much influence the “anti-wear” components had upon chain health, through a suitably changeable test period.

Lubrication 3.5/5

Penetration is really effective, and this was surprisingly apparent on Muffin’s beefy mid-price track chain, most obvious under load-say when grinding up a climb, powering away from the lights and of course, the occasional track stand. Same story on derailleur drivetrains, shifts light and crisp into the bargain and flaking has been very subtle. Cleat entry/release was similarly smooth and remained so for a fortnight or so, before it wore off.

A fortnight riding along progressively wetter roads with plenty of standing water also suggests the petrochemical component does a reasonable job of keeping taint ant bay. By no means poor, it’s been less effective so on the geared bikes’ electroplated KMC X10 chains, which have been subjected to a mix of wet sandy trails, unmade roads and bridlepath.

Cleanliness 3.75/5

Very close to the Momum MIC Wax Lube it is pretty much dry to touch, so transfer to hands is minimal.

hand with dirt transferred from bicycle chain

Great, should you need to remove the wheels-say tackling a flat mid ride, popping bikes in a car, or just tweaking the gears post ride. Given a couple of weeks trail service, a little surface grime was visible on the side plates, but the blend seems to attract less grime in the first instance and the trace stuff sits in the outer layer, dismissed with riding until it assumes that a filmy, yet tangible layer, which is my cue to top up.

Transfer to the cassette and rings is similarly modest, enough to provide some protection from the elements, but being temperature stable, doesn’t melt, or get reclaimed by the chain under shifting. Characteristics that are also welcome if you’re training indoors and don’t want transfer to flooring, furniture and light switches. 400 miles hence, there’s been nominal wear of the KMC chains, which is also welcome, given the cost of drivetrain components.

Durability 3.5/5

This is where blends such as the Momum MIC and the Smoove Universal Chain Lube have a definite edge. Nonetheless, true to claims, during less intensely wet spells, I’ve returned 185 miles rom a single helping, 250 from a double coat.

Superior to more traditional waxes, especially at this end of the market, where I’ve often returned 55 and 70 miles before topping up becomes imperative. You can simply top up and leave-there’s no need to strip the drivetrain of remaining lube-unless you need to give the bike a good, deep clean. Talking of which, (as with other waxes) in a pinch, you can pour and go to prevent the chain getting too parched but bargain on reapplying the moment you get home/to base and those four hours before its cured. Still arguably practical for disciplined tourists and bike packers. Commuters too, if your bike’s slumbering for a few hours.

Moderately wet trails saw the chain licked bone dry within 80 miles, resulting in some light taint and that familiar metal on metal tinkling. Predominantly dry conditions returned close to 140 miles before the chain was visibly parched.

Value 3.5/5

£8.99 for 100ml coupled with the miles per application and overall performance represents very solid value. Momum MIC Wax Lube is a bit dearer at £13.99 for 120ml but in my experience, returns a higher mileage in comparable conditions and cures very rapidly, which is a definite plus, especially when touring, or general group outings where you can pull I for a rest stop, have some coffee cake, and its cured. Green Oil Chain Wax £14.99 is a long serving planet friendly formula, closer in character to a dry lube. It also cures quickly to a clear state and has managed 170 miles through a very arid August.

Peaty’s Link Lube Dry is another blended synthetic formula, which performs very well in very arid conditions and is similarly clean. However, you’re only getting 60ml for £9.99, curing times are variable and may not be to everyone’s taste. NZero Dry Wax Lubricant is another eco-friendly blend that has impressed with its staying prowess in like-for like conditions and relatively prompt curing times.

Blub Wax Lube is another all-rounder that could give the Weldtite a good run for your hard earned. It has impressed with its lubrication and staying prowess, during a very rainy April. However, curing times are also long and you’ll need to reapply, if the bike’s been standing longer than 48hours. OK on a trainer, or daily driver but not for a best/weekend bike. You can also spend a lot more.

Silca Secret Formula is a whopping £32 for 4 fluid ounces, and isn’t quite the holy grail. Then again, in my experience, will return up to 280 miles per application in fair-weather contexts and could be justifiable on bikes with top drawer drivetrains.

Summary

While not exceptional, the Weldtite Wax Lube is a very competent fair-weather lube, offering a good balance of cleanliness, lubrication and staying prowess. All at a very favourable price. In a nutshell, I’d describe it as a good “transitional formula” for tarmac biased riding that should serve well between spring and early autumn. Qualities that make good transition to drier dirt roads and trails.

Verdict 3.5/5 Wallet friendly wax lube that performs well in more changeable conditions.

Michael Stenning

Weldtite

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2025

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Weldtite Wax Lube 100ml £8.99