Muc-Off has been producing a range of chain lubricants for years, and just last week, the brand added a new option to the mix. Somewhat confusingly named Dark Energy, the new lube is a milky white drip-on chain wax that has been “engineered to hit the sweet spot between efficiency, durability, and low wear.” Muc-Off’s new product joins the growing number of bike chain lube options promising low friction and protection against premature drivetrain wear, with a wax-based formula that’s easy to apply.
Testing, Testing…
According to Muc-Off, Dark Energy was “Developed for road, gravel, and MTB, Dark Energy is the outcome of four years of dedicated research and development both inside the unique Muc-Off R&D Lab and also working closely with pro-team riders and performance staff. Over that period, more than 90 formulations were created and tested through a structured loop of rigorous screening, consisting of over 8,500 hours of dynamometer and tribometer testing and over 100,000km of real-world testing by their in-house test team and professional teams.”
It’s clear that Muc-Off spent lots of time testing various formulas in the lab setting before setting out into the real world to validate those findings outside of a controlled environment on the bikes of in-house testers. Additionally, Muc-Off states that the last stage of the development process was working with and getting structured feedback from the performance directors, mechanics, and riders from EF Pro Cycling, Decathlon CMA CGM, Commencal // Muc-Off, and Specialized Factory Racing.
After four years of development and testing, Muc-Off settled on the Dark Energy formulation, which was raced to victory by Naomi Reüegg at the Tour Down Under in January. And if race wins aren’t validation enough, Muc-Off states that independent third-party testing supports the brand’s own findings. According to Muc-Off, “Dark Energy’s efficiency and friction performance were assessed by independent tester Robert Khünen in Germany. Independent wear and CoF testing was also completed by ESR Technology – the UK’s national centre of tribology. Both third-party testing houses corroborated the results generated within Muc-Off’s in-house R&D facility.”
Bio-Based
Muc-Off tells us that its Dark Energy Chain Wax is made with a “plant-derived and inherently biodegradable wax“, and the formula is PFAS and PTFE-free. According to the bottle, it is suitable for use in conditions ranging from dry to damp.
Chain Wax Cleaner
One of the most important elements of chain waxing, whether immersive or drip-on, is proper chain preparation. Muc-Off is aware of this and is launching its new Chain Wax Cleaner alongside the new Dark Energy drip-on wax lube. This new chain cleaner was “Developed specifically for wax-based drivetrains, the formula removes factory grease, residual oils and old wax build-up without leaving contaminants that compromise adhesion.” It’s intended for use during initial prep and re-waxing to get the chain super clean for the best penetration and bonding of the wax to the chain surfaces.
Muc-Off Dark Energy Chain Wax and Cleaner: Pricing and Availability
The new Dark Energy Chain Wax is available in 50 ml (1.7 oz.) and 120 ml (4.06 oz.). The 50 ml bottle retails for $18 / £15 / €20, and the 120 ml bottle retails for $25 / £23 / €30. The Chain Wax Cleaner comes in a 500ml spray bottle, priced at $25 / £22 / €25.
Both the Dark Energy Chain Wax and the Chain Wax Cleaner are available now, direct from the brand or at your local Muc-Off dealers or favorite online retailers.
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