Over the last few weeks we’ve been diving into the bike side of Maxima Racing Oils. We’ve been bleeding disc brakes with the Mineral Oil and DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid, and we’ve been cleaning bikes and polishing frames with the Drivetrain Degreaser and SC1 Bike Polish. However, there’s one area that we haven’t covered until now, and that’s chain lubricants. Here we’ll be taking a look at the three different chain lubes on offer from Maxima, and what conditions each one is best suited to.
Maxima Chain Wax Lubricant
- Price: $19.95 AUD
First up we’ve got the Maxima Chain Wax, which is formulated for use in all conditions from dry and dusty through to wet and muddy. Designed specifically for bicycle chains, the Chain Wax uses a ‘Parafilm’ formula that goes on wet and dries off to leave behind a pliable wax layer that repels water and dirt while helping to shed gunk from your drivetrain.
We’ve found it works best when applied to a properly degreased and cleaned chain, which helps the solution to better cling to the metal surface. Once applied, the Chain Wax does well to quieten down general drivetrain noise, and it also reduces muck build-up over time. If you like a clean-running drivetrain, but still want good durability, this wax-based chain lube is a fantastic option.
Maxima Chain Guard Lubricant
- Price: $19.95 AUD
If you’re after maximum longevity, especially in wet conditions, the Maxima Chain Guard is the pick of the range. This synthetic chain lubricant uses a slightly thicker viscosity that helps it to cling to your chain, while anti-wear additives claim to improve drivetrain durability while allowing for smoother shifts under load. As such, we tend to default to this lubricant for e-MTBs, which typically exert a lot more wear and tear on the drivetrain due to the added power of the motor. We also find that we ride e-MTBs when the weather is inclement, which is where the thicker Chain Guard really comes into its own.
The Maxima Chain Guard is also a great option for racing a long-distance XC and marathon events where you want to make sure your chain is still properly lubricated by the end. It is a bit stickier, and it does require you to more thoroughly degrease the drivetrain when it comes time for cleaning, but if you want to apply chain lube as infrequently as possible this is the one to go for.
Maxima Chain Pro Lubricant
- Price: $19.95 AUD
But what if you prefer a cleaner drivetrain that doesn’t require degreasing as often? And what if you never really ride in the wet? In that case, it’s the Maxima Chain Pro lubricant that you’ll be wanting to consider.
With a much thinner viscosity, this chain lube is specifically targeted at mountain bikers, gravel and road riders that are typically encountering dry and dusty conditions. It dries quickly after application and leaves very little residue behind, and we’ve found it’s great for keeping your drivetrain running clean since it doesn’t pick up nearly as much dust as the thicker Chain Guard lubricant. The downside is that it does wear off more quickly, so you’ll have to apply with relative frequency – we found every second or third ride was necessary to keep the chain from getting noisy.
