Muc-Off C3 Dry Ceramic Lube

The market is literally awash with wonder lubes promising slicker drivetrains, lower maintenance and phenomenal durability but Muc-Off C3 Dry is one of the few 'summer' blends stocky enough to resist winter's wrath without gumming up cleat mechanisms, jockey wheels and the like. However, its four hour curing time requires a more patient, methodical approach.

Most advanced semi-synthetics work on a two part basis. A super invasive distillate trafficks friction-busting fluoro polymers deep into the chain while boron nitride or a similar stopper prevents it being flushed away come the first puddle.

Muc-off are pretty coy about the exact composition of C3 Dry Lube but say it's fully biodegradable and employs boron nitride for minimal friction, theoretically extending component life. Apparently UV sensitive, it's supplied with a clever little torch designed to ensure complete coverage but this smacks of gimmickry. You'd be hard pressed to miss the 'alien' green fluid as it flows from the spout.

As with any new lube, recipient chains, mechanisms and similar surfaces require a quick tour de chain bath/solvent scrub. While those potions are evaporating, unscrew the CF3's spout and puncture the foil lid before reinstating and drizzling sparingly into each link as usual.

Delivery is more predictable than most so wastage and/or clean up time is greatly reduced, though keep some old clean rag handy to collect any drips since these are devilishly difficult to remove, even from concrete floors.

Within 20 minutes it assumes a clear, almost lacquered effect. It makes a surprisingly effective assembly paste too, not quite on par with syrupy wet types but one drop seems adequate for bottle/mudguard/carrier and stem bolts. Curing times religiously obeyed, it's faintly tacky to touch but rewards with minimal friction, notably improving cleat entry/exits, and drivetrains/shifting feel decidedly friskier.

Soggy, salty November outings have made negligible impression upon these characteristics and I've been astounded by how clean my Univega's drivetrain remains despite perpetual exposure to waterlogged, silty lanes with occasional cross country short cuts thrown in for good measure. Its qualities were less obvious on my cross inspired fixer given the inherently simple transmission, but tending to rear wheel punctures has been a notably cleaner business.

175 miles per application is pretty impressive and maintenance limited to occasional clean rag wipe-overs, which justifies the steeper asking price. However, without knowing its precise chemical makeup, I've avoided river crossings, wherever possible.

Verdict

Genuinely impressive lube that is both clean and extremely tenacious. However, I'm not completely convinced of its true environmentally friendly credentials.