Obey the Jensie: Silca's super smooth chain lube is awesome, says this highly unscientific review

Bicycle chains can be totally silent, frictionless, and experience up to 10x less wear during their lifespan. That’s the claim, at least, with the right lube. And while this humble bike blog can’t validate said claim in a lab, we can put forth this unscientific commentary to substantiate it, or at the very least, try.

Late last year, we took receipt of the lube seen above and have used it routinely on our road, gravel and MTB chains. Aside from a noticeable drop in black chain gunk (improvement compared to most mass petrochemical-based lubes), there are several reasons why we’re now using it exclusively (none of which involve Jensie’s spokesperson contract).

As one well known Cycling Tips editor put it, for evidence of the efficacy of wax lubes, think about what happens when you drip water on a hard wax candle. Waterproof. Now think about water coming into contact with your waxed chain when riding across different road or trail conditions. Sold?

To prove that this is the stuff of legend, Silca had Australia-based ZeroFriction Cycling test the lube to prove its efficacy (this is the world’s leading lubricant testing facility). They found its core formula to be the most silent running, and lowest-wearing drip lubricant ever tested. MIC drop. “It’s like noise-canceling headphones without the headphones,” added Silca CEO Josh Josh Poertner in a release.

Some details about the lube: this is an emulsified wax that goes on like any other drip lube but with subtle differences. Like every other lube, it requires a super clean or new chain for the ideal application. Unlike other lubes however, it requires a steadier hand for application on each chain link, rather than a liberal squeeze as you turn the cranks. (Otherwise, you end up for a very waxy, undesirably-lubed chain.) Once on, spreading the lube with two fingers across the chain ensures even distribution.

We repeated this process thrice over a 6 week period, each time degreasing and reapplying the lube in a process taking no more than 20 minutes. We let the wax sit overnight, then with a clean dry rag, turned the crank about 30 times to clear out the excess (which is obvious as it dries white). Unscientific variable control again, but over that time we formed a couple opinions.

Without a specific DB measurement device, we do have to agree with ZF’s assessment: this lube really is quiet AF. But most importantly (is there anything more important than that, actually?), is the durability of each application. While we degreased and reapplied the lube mostly out of habit, we’re sure the chains didn’t need it. Two, three, four hundred kilometres later - they could have kept going. Quietly, too.

As with all lubes, effectiveness here will be determined by starting with a clean chain and adhering to an acceptable level of maintenance, whatever that means for you. This video helps break down the degreasing process. The air-drying secret sauce does the rest. Wipe and marvel at the chain’s cleanliness after each ride for even longer-lasting results. Again, unscientifically speaking.

Is this your next lube? It is slightly more expensive than others, sure, but silence is absolutely worth it. Super Secret Chain Lube is available at silca.cc.