This is the dry weather version of Muc-Off’s excellent C3 lube, using the same blend of ceramic additives for long life and excellent lubrication.
It penetrates well into the joins and sets quickly to a dry finish that’s far less sticky than wet lube – this is how to avoid black chains on dusty trails, though a 3-4 hour wait is recommended before riding. It’s also biodegradable and petroleum-free, so it’s friendly to the planet.
It’s sensitive to UV light and comes with a tiny ultraviolet torch; shine it on to find the dry spots. It’s neat in theory, but in practice it doesn’t show you anything you can’t already see.
C3 is long lasting, and the easy-to-use applicator bottle and slightly thicker consistency than the others help you get it on precisely without waste, which mitigates the high cost slightly.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.