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CeramicSpeed UFO Drip is a series lubricant that has been in the marketplace for a number of years now. During its lifetime, it has gone by means of a few official overhauls, the final of which was round two years in the past when it once more diminished in worth, was topic to a rebrand and was break up into ‘all circumstances’, ‘indoor’ and ‘moist’ variants. I’ll be wanting on the all-conditions model right here, which has typically been thought to be one of many quickest and simplest drip lubes in the marketplace for a while.
Drivetrain care and tips on how to optimise the operating of your chain is not any secret today. There are a raft of drip lubricants and immersive sizzling waxes in the marketplace now, which implies a unclean, contaminated chain doesn’t must be an choice.
‘Drip lubes’ are liquid lubricants that we are able to pour or, certainly, drip out of a bottle onto our chains. Physically moist lubricants improve the danger of contaminants being carried into our drivetrain, however wax-drip lubricants just like the UFO All Conditions set dry, which actually helps minimise this and contributes to a pleasant clear drivetrain and fast-running chain.
UFO Drip All circumstances has an RRP of $24 / €22 / £18.55 for a 100ml bottle. I’ve used this chain lube for a superb block of driving and may now pull my evaluation collectively. head to our greatest bike chain lube information and finest bike chain wax guides for more information and choices.
The skinny nozzle makes utility simple, I prefer it. Don’t come down on me too arduous, readers, this was for demonstration functions. (Image credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Design and aesthetics
CeramicSpeed UFO Drip All Conditions is out there in 100 and 180 ml bottle sizes and is priced at $24 / €22 / £18.55 for the 100ml bottle, which is what I’ve been utilizing. The slender tip of the bottle is straightforward to make use of and permits you to apply the lube precisely and never waste any, which I like. It’s additionally biodegradable, non-toxic and PFAS-free, so you possibly can relaxation assured you aren’t utilizing something horrible in your chain.
If you have got invested in or use a premium chain lube or wax, it is at all times finest to begin with a brand new chain, or relying on put on one which’s as clear as you possibly can presumably get it. Giving a mucky, soiled chain a fast scrub or blast with some degreaser will not reduce it. Your chain will nonetheless be contaminated, and drivetrain efficiency will not be optimum.
CeramicSpeed additionally sells a drivetrain degreaser product which has the identical inexperienced credentials, regardless of a barely off-putting scent. I’ve used this product, and it has been an efficient degreaser for me. You can purchase a bundle of lube and degreaser If you need to make investments.
UFO Drip All Conditions makes use of water as a base with wax particles inside it. Once utilized, the water evaporates, and the white liquid wax dries, offering a low friction, protecting chain coating. I haven’t got a full ingredient checklist for the wax, however that is the make-up, broadly talking.
Various lubricants today include their very own utility directions, and this product is not any totally different. CeramicSpeed has a simple to observe how to apply video on its web site, which reveals you their beneficial utility technique. It is essential to use the day earlier than to permit the wax to totally dry and penetrate the chain hyperlinks. So issue this into your upkeep schedule. It’s simple to overlook and simply hurriedly apply some lube earlier than heading out the door.
I perceive that older permutations of the lubricant have been temperature delicate, and the wax may harden somewhat within the chilly. The bottle does have a pea inside to assist combine the lubricant If it has been sitting for some time, however making use of it in hotter temperatures might additional help the method.
I utilized UFO Drip All Conditions to a brand new Shimano chain, which I degreased first. The Shimano manufacturing facility grease is not an amazing lubricant or coating for a series in use, and it is best to scrub it off first in case you begin with a brand new chain from that model. Starting with a recent, clear chain simply is sensible to me. I do know there is no contamination in there, hit it with a superb chain lube or wax, and it feels nice figuring out your chain is clear and quick, particularly when the rider in entrance has a drivetrain that’s an oily mess.
The lubricant out of the bottle is white in color, but it surely dries clear. As talked about, the bottle nozzle makes making use of it a simple process, and I desire it to the applicator on the Smoove chain lube bottle. The lube dries clear and saved my drivetrain very clear, tidy and operating quietly for somewhat over the 180-mile reapplication interval. At face worth, every part felt slick and quick, and I’m at all times wanting a dry clear drivetrain, so all informed I used to be very pleased. I might advocate erring on the facet of warning relating to reapplying to be secure, but it surely wasn’t like as soon as previous the 180-mile mark my chain began squeaking instantly.
It’s essential to dive deeper and attempt to discover out if a lubricant has been examined for efficiency. A poor selection may appear fantastic however contribute to fast drivetrain put on. CeramicSpeed put numerous effort and time into chain lubricant testing and manufacturing and there are some test results to look at on its web site.
Independent chain lubricant testing consultants Zero Friction Cycling additionally tested a previous version of UFO drip and located it examined very effectively, comfortably amongst the perfect drip lubricants in the marketplace with very low put on charges, so you possibly can relaxation assured this is a superb drip lubricant that can assist lengthen your drivetrains lifespan if you’re buying.
If you do not have one, utilizing a series put on checker software can even show you how to monitor chain put on and get a gauge of how your chain is faring up long term. The Shimano TL-CN42 Chain checker software is an efficient place to begin.
Zero Friction famous zero penetration points for the lubricant, which is essential. Imagine making use of a neat drop of a series lube to every chain hyperlink. That lubricant must work its approach deep into your chain hyperlinks to supply safety and lubrication. CeramicSpeed UFO Drip has no points right here, in comparison with some merchandise which might battle, that is excellent news for chain put on from the off.
I spoke with Zero Friction about this newest model and discovered that CeramicSpeed has up to date the formulation a number of instances in between the final two official updates. A earlier model examined very effectively at Zero Friction, so it is pretty secure to imagine that the product is even higher now.
There are additionally clear directions on the rear of the bottle. (Image credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Value
In phrases of pricing this lubricant is on a par with numerous different drip lubricants in the marketplace for a 100ml amount at $24 / €22 / £18.55 so it is fairly inexpensive, actually not a product that can make you say ‘how a lot?!’ and it has diminished in worth, which is fairly uncommon today in case you ask me. There are merchandise on the market which can be much more costly, like Muc-Off Ludicrous AF at $64.99 RRP or Absolute Black GraphenLube 2.0. at $106.90 for 140ml.
The beneficial reapplication intervals are shorter than some merchandise on the market at 180 miles or 300km; this could possibly be as soon as a weekend for some riders, relying on mileage and could possibly be a race or finest day solely choice for some. I believe it is honest to say efficiency will likely be wonderful for that interval, although.
The model’s web site states an 8ml or 8-gram distinction by weight per coating. I take this 8ml to be a tough utility quantity, so you might be 12 purposes per bottle at most, or roughly 2160 miles / 3,600km of driving.
One factor to remember is {that a} bottle or two of chain lube will likely be cheaper than changing a worn-out cassette and chain and or chainrings inside a number of thousand miles, one thing that may happen with little cleansing and a poor selection of chain lube.
Verdict
This is a superb selection as drip lubricants go, and CeramicSpeed UFO Drip in its numerous varieties has been a pacesetter on this space for some time and the most recent All Conditions formulation seems to construct on this.
The efficiency is superb, clear, quick and protecting with low put on charges. You will simply have to determine if the reapplication intervals fit your wants and driving. If you are searching for a drip lube and need among the best, you might do an terrible lot worse than use this.
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Independant take a look at outcomes
ZF testing factors to this newest model of UFO Drip being superb, amongst the very best drip lubes in the marketplace
9/10
Green credentials
Bio, PFAS free, non poisonous.
10/10
Application process
Simple, with a simple to observe video obtainable, simply do it the night time earlier than you journey and let the wax dry
8/10
Performance
Very good in use, dry, clear and slick, backed up with take a look at outcomes
9/10
Value
Affordable sufficient to purchase, chances are you’ll need to discover one thing with longer reapplication intervals to fit your personal necessities. It’s a private one.
