Engearment

Erin Trail

Gear Hugger Dry Bike Lubricant ($9.95)  

https://www.gear-hugger.com/products/dry-bike-lubricant?srsltid=AfmBOoq4iDNARJtsWIO4XwLgsWQHENV43vwJbZaUIfibKoQl09ojfbc1

Gear Hugger Dry Bike Lubricant is an eco-friendly option to keep your bike chain running smoothly.  The ingredients are USDA Certified 97% bio-based (made from soy, cacao butter, and canola oil) and are biodegradable. This means that you can clean and re-lube your bike chain anywhere without worrying about ecological impacts. 

I’ve been using the Gear Hugger Dry Bike Lube on my mountain bike for the past month, during rides in Colorado and Arizona. The lubricant is easy to apply to your chain; the consistency of the liquid is fairly light and it flows easily onto your bike chain.  The bottle design makes it so just the right amount of lubricant comes out of the dropper and onto your chain, making applying the right amount easy to do. 

I applied about one drop per link for the entirety of my chain after rinsing or washing my bike. I would let the lubricant penetrate into my chain for a few minutes (or sometimes overnight) and then give my chain a quick wipe down before riding.  I rode in some VERY dry and dusty environments and my chain never caused an issue.  There were no annoying creaking noises and no odd shifting issues. My bike chain never showed any wear or tear, even with multiple 2-3 hour technical rides in the Sedona desert.

I usually carry some chain lube with me to use occasionally mid-ride, particularly when I’ve been in dusty conditions, because my bike chain just sounds angry and doesn’t want to work well.  I went several dry, very dusty rides in a row without needing to re-lube my chain, showing me how durable and long-lasting Gear Hugger was, even in harsh conditions.

Overall Impression

Gear Hugger Dry Bike Lubricant is both eco-friendly AND hard working. This bike chain lube offers an ecologically responsible alternative to other chain lubes while also being really good at protecting your bike chain from harsh, dry conditions.  The lubricant was easy to apply, thanks to a lightly viscous formula and a well-designed application bottle. The lubricant held it’s own during long dusty mountain bike rides, keeping my chain quiet and working optimally. At $9.95 per 3.2 oz bottle, it’s also a budget friendly option, making ecologically responsible bike maintenance a no brainer.

Erin Trail