A clean chain for extra watts

Between the effort exerted by the body and that produced by the Tires the road, there are countless ways to lose out.

Air friction is by far the biggest drain on your power output. Minimizing your body's surface area is therefore a priority (as long as it doesn't affect the quality of your pedaling motion, since you'll lose power at the source, which isn't very beneficial, in addition to increasing your risk of injury).

There are other ways to save a few watts here and there: improve your form (i.e., the quality of your pedaling motion), the aerodynamics of the frame, wheels, Helmet clothing (tie down that Gilet flapping in the wind!), choose a frame with minimal lateral flex, shoes with the stiffest soles possible, Tires effective rubber... Then you can add ceramic ball bearings and oversized derailleur pulleys to complete the picture.

But even the biggest rocks in the world won't make up for the 10 watts or so lost in the extra friction caused by a neglected and dirty chain.

Washed and well lubricated

It may seem like a lot, but the research on the subject has been carefully conducted. And it is conclusive.

Jason Smith has been analyzing the effects of dirt on bicycle chains for several years. His company, Friction Facts, was even bought by CeramicSpeed after Smith spent around $70,000 of his own money to develop a measurement system that allows him to evaluate the losses incurred by using different lubricants on chains.

With CeramicSpeed, he developed UFO Drip, the most effective coating in this field. But it is also the most expensive, and requires almost obsessive care.

However, according to his chart, "dry" lubricants generally perform better, as they do not promote the accumulation of residues like other synthetic oils do. But this is not necessarily the case. Here is Smith's table on lubricants:

It may not seem like much, but nearly 10 watts over a Ride is huge. In comparison, an oversized roller promises savings of 2 to 4 watts.

Proper cleaning

It is therefore important to keep the chain clean and properly lubricated, using a product that does not accumulate dirt too quickly.

To clean, we recommend first degreasing the chain surface, sprockets, and chainrings as thoroughly as possible with a brush and degreaser . Preferably biodegradable. Then rinse with water.

Next, you need to make sure that any dirt embedded in the chain is also removed from the portrait. A tool such as the X-3 Dirty Chain Machine from Muc-Off is ideal for this: its brushes penetrate small gaps and dislodge dirt.

Then rinse with a powerful jet of water. If you wipe the chain with a clean cloth and it becomes stained, repeat the process until the cloth is completely clean.

Dry the entire drivetrain thoroughly with a clean cloth. Then apply the lubricant drop by drop to each link. Turn the chain for a few seconds and remove any excess with a dry cloth. Then run the chain over all the sprockets and chainrings to prevent them from rusting.

Not only will this improve your performance without requiring any extra effort on your part, but it will also extend the life expectancy of these parts. Don't forget to check your chain for wear regularly, as worn links will also sap precious watts.