Some added advice from Zero Friction Cycling: "Firstly only need to do a reset after decent wet rides as water brings contamination deep inside where it is pressed into set coating Dry only riding full resets can be very long intervals between, dry road riders would never need to, offroad really depends a lot as everyone's dust is different. It is highly dry dust resistant but no chain is dustproof so, over time, a reset will want to be done. When can also depend on the cost of components, Ultegra 11spd vs AXS, Red or new Dura-Ace. Ensure warm graphene bottle and shake very well to ensure graphene fully mixed before applications / immersive really helps too, put the bottle in a cup of hot tap water (not boiling water). A 500ml screw top container from the supermarket much better way to immersive apply graphene lube, and a little funnel to pour back into bottle after. Re-seal lid on container, and seal container in their bag. Can shake well, and when redo months or so down track, when pour back in, most of leftover that u couldn't pour back in, still wet and will remix with lube again. I of course still say overall immersive waxing is easier than any lube when taking into account maintenance, as you dont need to do any with immersive waxing."
To be honest, i've been using a wax based drip lube. Deep clean the chain before hand. Apply. Let dry (overnight). Ride. I reapply once a week. Haven't had to use degreaser on the chain since, just water and a rag to wipe off any grime. And it's £10 a bottle...
Like yourself I have been using wax for years but slightly different combination. 50% paraffin wax and 50% soy wax for the initial treatment and then when needing a quick top up I have been using Squirt chain lube . (just a quick wipe of the chain with a dry cloth and then use Squirt) The chains are not contaminated with dirt and dust and the wear is low. And the cost is low. The paraffin and soy wax can be bought as candles at Kmart very cheaply
For your information Absolute Black is made in Poland I use it in different way. Apply a single drop o0n every chain link, and re-apply after few rides. This way I don't have to buy a "big bottle" but small one wchih last me 1.5 year (one bike) or 1 years (two bikes). Excess of lublicates is wasted anyway, and have to be wipe up from outside of the chain.
Yeah, the price is so hard to justify. The price of Perfin wax was about $3 at my grocery store. I get that this stuff is better but we're talking very very marginal benefits per $ here.
i guess the only thing is faster appliance... you could use...wax and graphene powder...for...10$ graphene powder is cheap and quite available...so mixing in wax would make it cheaper an better. did you try oz-cycle reciep? with ptfe for comparison? graphene is better than ptfe?
Cheers mate! None of my gravel bikes run wax at the moment because they both use Graphenlube but I might convert one over soon when the bottle runs out.
Oh man I won't have time to make a video. Genuinely love the jacket though! A good balance of compact and warm. Squashes down to be tiny which is great for when you travel. It's proper down feathers though so you don't want to get it too wet.
Absolute Black should be ashamed... $200 for lube.. $700 for a RD cage... Taking the piss those guys. I'm out. And anyone that promotes this stuff should be ashamed too, including the Tubers that get it for free..... BS. It's actually disgusting.
Disgusting? Ashamed? Did you watch the video? I talked about the multiple shortcomings of the product and gave cheaper alternatives. Do you see no logic in spending more on efficient lubricants to prolong drivetrain longevity 2-3 times? What about the part where I cited independent expert testing of the product?
I’m curious: since you need to remove the chain each time you apply the lube, how does that work with the SRAM 12 speed chains? SRAM says you’re not supposed to reuse the “powerlink” once you open it. Are there 12-speed compatible quick links around?
I use a standard SRAM Powerlock AXS link and that handles being undone just fine so far. I don't think I've taken off that SRAM chain since it was fitted though so I haven't reallt pushed it.
I have been reusing my power links for decades (9, 10, 11, 12-speed) for cleaning and have NEVER had any issues with shifting or anything. However, I use an appropriate tool for removal, not any old Chinese pliers or Leatherman. I suspect that's a sales gimmick. Only replaced when I replace the chain.
Please stop buying such things, this is what keeps the damn bike market so high. They get away with such high prices because you fools keep paying for it
really appreciate the long term review and the increased chain life sounds real good but the price is ultimately a downer although I would add an indirect benefit of it is shaving grams off your wallet ;)
Some added advice from Zero Friction Cycling:
"Firstly only need to do a reset after decent wet rides as water brings contamination deep inside where it is pressed into set coating
Dry only riding full resets can be very long intervals between, dry road riders would never need to, offroad really depends a lot as everyone's dust is different. It is highly dry dust resistant but no chain is dustproof so, over time, a reset will want to be done. When can also depend on the cost of components, Ultegra 11spd vs AXS, Red or new Dura-Ace.
Ensure warm graphene bottle and shake very well to ensure graphene fully mixed before applications / immersive really helps too, put the bottle in a cup of hot tap water (not boiling water).
A 500ml screw top container from the supermarket much better way to immersive apply graphene lube, and a little funnel to pour back into bottle after. Re-seal lid on container, and seal container in their bag. Can shake well, and when redo months or so down track, when pour back in, most of leftover that u couldn't pour back in, still wet and will remix with lube again.
I of course still say overall immersive waxing is easier than any lube when taking into account maintenance, as you dont need to do any with immersive waxing."
$240/bottle? For that amount you can just buy a new chain when it gets too dirty and still come out ahead.
Yeah I agree. For racing the Teflon coated chains are still probably better than this.
But this will be 10W or so quicker than a new chain, which if you're a racer is 100% worth it. But for the plebs among us, 100% not worth it!
1) Buy squirt lube
2) buy pure graphene powder
3) mix
4) grpahenelube for 90% less money.
or...buy candels, and grapheene - and slow cook.
or...candels, isopropil alcohol, grapheene
oz-cycle has some awesome simple homemade recepies...
To be honest, i've been using a wax based drip lube.
Deep clean the chain before hand. Apply. Let dry (overnight). Ride.
I reapply once a week. Haven't had to use degreaser on the chain since, just water and a rag to wipe off any grime.
And it's £10 a bottle...
People who buy this stuff are the same people that buy wagyu A5 minced beef.
Like yourself I have been using wax for years but slightly different combination. 50% paraffin wax and 50% soy wax for the initial treatment and then when needing a quick top up I have been using Squirt chain lube . (just a quick wipe of the chain with a dry cloth and then use Squirt) The chains are not contaminated with dirt and dust and the wear is low. And the cost is low. The paraffin and soy wax can be bought as candles at Kmart very cheaply
I think this combo is that sweet spot of manageable effort, price and effectiveness. 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you so much. Always love your reviews. Adam is awesome and he is very generous with his advice.
Thanks mate, appreciate it 🤝
For your information Absolute Black is made in Poland
I use it in different way. Apply a single drop o0n every chain link, and re-apply after few rides. This way I don't have to buy a "big bottle" but small one wchih last me 1.5 year (one bike) or 1 years (two bikes). Excess of lublicates is wasted anyway, and have to be wipe up from outside of the chain.
It is $145 a 140ml bottle in the US. Still pricey for sure but not $240.
Thanks for such a honest appraisal
Great info!
Cheers Russ! Thanks for stopping in!
I bought a cheap slow cooker specifically for waxing a couple of years ago, but never did it. I must for the kid's bikes though.
Yeah, the price is so hard to justify. The price of Perfin wax was about $3 at my grocery store. I get that this stuff is better but we're talking very very marginal benefits per $ here.
i guess the only thing is faster appliance...
you could use...wax and graphene powder...for...10$
graphene powder is cheap and quite available...so mixing in wax would make it cheaper an better.
did you try oz-cycle reciep? with ptfe for comparison?
graphene is better than ptfe?
AbsoluteBlack does average products and sells it as super premium
Seeing this I can only get to one graphic conclusion: „like pissing away money“
What about the AB chain wax, is that the same stuff? It seems like you follow the same immersion process as waxing a chain but without melting wax.
Thanks James, another great video. Do you wax your gravel bike chains? If not what do you use? Cheers - Mark
Cheers mate! None of my gravel bikes run wax at the moment because they both use Graphenlube but I might convert one over soon when the bottle runs out.
TriFlow. Clean lube ride.
Is it really necessary to remove the factory greases from a new chain?
hey James can you do a review on your Rapha jacket please?
Oh man I won't have time to make a video. Genuinely love the jacket though! A good balance of compact and warm. Squashes down to be tiny which is great for when you travel. It's proper down feathers though so you don't want to get it too wet.
@@JustRideAdelaide that's good enough for me!!! Thanks
My mtb buddy says it's HORRIBLE. Didn't make it up the first hill without the chain freezing up.
Absolute Black should be ashamed... $200 for lube.. $700 for a RD cage... Taking the piss those guys. I'm out. And anyone that promotes this stuff should be ashamed too, including the Tubers that get it for free..... BS. It's actually disgusting.
Disgusting? Ashamed? Did you watch the video? I talked about the multiple shortcomings of the product and gave cheaper alternatives. Do you see no logic in spending more on efficient lubricants to prolong drivetrain longevity 2-3 times? What about the part where I cited independent expert testing of the product?
I’m curious: since you need to remove the chain each time you apply the lube, how does that work with the SRAM 12 speed chains? SRAM says you’re not supposed to reuse the “powerlink” once you open it. Are there 12-speed compatible quick links around?
I use a standard SRAM Powerlock AXS link and that handles being undone just fine so far. I don't think I've taken off that SRAM chain since it was fitted though so I haven't reallt pushed it.
I have been reusing my power links for decades (9, 10, 11, 12-speed) for cleaning and have NEVER had any issues with shifting or anything. However, I use an appropriate tool for removal, not any old Chinese pliers or Leatherman. I suspect that's a sales gimmick. Only replaced when I replace the chain.
@@outbackwack368 OK… new to SRAM chains so didn’t know whether that was really to be avoided. Thanks.
Please stop buying such things, this is what keeps the damn bike market so high. They get away with such high prices because you fools keep paying for it
Absolutecrap
really appreciate the long term review and the increased chain life sounds real good but the price is ultimately a downer
although I would add an indirect benefit of it is shaving grams off your wallet ;)
Absolute Fooled.
Awful company - total joke. Avoid at all cost
Sounds like it should have been called "Faffenlube"!
Ahhhh Pascal coming in hot with the dad jokes 😂
@@JustRideAdelaide Dad does what Dad's gotta do!
Delta Oil. Much better, much cheaper!
What a utter scam lol
Lmao why not just leave all the lube in a zip lock and just dip the chain it , pouring it back into the bottle is meaningless
It dries up in the bag and becomes difficult to reuse.
Feels like a very expensive, very marginal gain.