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Muc-off launches new Nanotube chain, promising 10 watt efficiency saving

The chain, as used by Chris Froome throughout his all-conquering 2017 season, is now available to the public

​The Nanotube chain promises superior durability, performance and drivetrain friction reduction compared to all other chains on the market, and is the culmination of ten years' research. 

Wet or dry chain lube: which one should you use? 

It was used by Team Sky and Chris Froome during both his Tour de France and Vuelta victories, and as shown in the video, is essentially a Dura-Ace chain treated with a special solution applied to get the extra efficiency and durability gains. Muc-Off have boldly claimed it can save you 10 watts compared to Ceramic Speed's Shimano Dura Ace UFO chain over a four hour period. that was only released last month as featured on road.cc, and also claimed to be the most efficient drivetrain coating available. 

The Nanotube is said to be more durable compared to wax-treated chains, the latter of which Muc-Off say lead to performance drop-offs over time. They say their solution offers a far more consistent drivetrain performance.  

nanotube lube.jpeg

Muc-Off are also selling a special Nanotube top-up chain lube, purported to offer a further 1-2 watts power saving when applied to the original chain. 

Muc-Off's version one of a Nanotube-coated chain was released last year with an RRP of £135 - this one has actually come down in price a little at £109.99, and the lube is a whopping £49.99. In the UK both are available now through Muc-Off's website. 

 

 

 

Arriving at road.cc in 2017 via 220 Triathlon Magazine, Jack dipped his toe in most jobs on the site and over at eBikeTips before being named the new editor of road.cc in 2020, much to his surprise. His cycling life began during his students days, when he cobbled together a few hundred quid off the back of a hard winter selling hats (long story) and bought his first road bike - a Trek 1.1 that was quickly relegated to winter steed, before it was sadly pinched a few years later. Creatively replacing it with a Trek 1.2, Jack mostly rides this bike around local cycle paths nowadays, but when he wants to get the racer out and be competitive his preferred events are time trials, sportives, triathlons and pogo sticking - the latter being another long story.  

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7 comments

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check12 | 6 years ago
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If according to friction facts rock n roll gold chain lube is worth 5watts of friction, is this thing minus watts? 

//i41.tinypic.com/210yb6s.jpg)

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bearapy replied to check12 | 6 years ago
1 like

check12 wrote:

If according to friction facts rock n roll gold chain lube is worth 5watts of friction, is this thing minus watts? 

//i41.tinypic.com/210yb6s.jpg)

You save a total of 10 watt of power over four hours of cycling. So the difference you’re looking at is around 1/1000 watt between the two lubes

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
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"In performance terms, this means that the NTC will give you a gain of 3 miles over a 112- mile Ironman bike stage, calculated using the average time of 6 hours and 25 minutes"

That's a pretty bold claim against the best competitor, if they're so confident in that maybe they should get some real world numbers rather than a dyno in the lab.

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jollygoodvelo | 6 years ago
0 likes

Might save you 10 watts every four hours but if it makes my chain drop or my derailleur break every time I go slightly uphill, I'll pass thanks.

Avatar
. . | 6 years ago
0 likes

"Muc-Off have boldly claimed it can save you 10 watts over a four hour period"

Having checked their website, what they actually claim is "In comparison, the NTC only continues to get faster, with over 10 watts advantage against Ceramic Speed’s latest treatment UFO Shimano Chain after four hours"

Avatar
kitsunegari | 6 years ago
1 like

As ever, very few people are going to get any advantage from this, and I wonder who on earth buys these. The Pros get handed this sort of stuff, and most cyclists would benefit more by eating better/drinking less/insert doing less of other vice here

Avatar
alansmurphy | 6 years ago
3 likes

Last time I paid £50 for lube...

[insert filth about coming off the back / getting more than marginal gains here]

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