Never Ride a New Chain: Why Factory Chains Are Slowing You Down
- precisionpedalpros
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
When it comes to drivetrain efficiency, one of the biggest mistakes cyclists make is slapping on a brand-new chain and heading straight out for a ride. It might seem counterintuitive; shouldn’t a new chain be in its best possible condition? In reality, a fresh-out-of-the-box chain is one of the highest-friction components you can put on your bike.
The Dirty Secret of New Chains
Most cyclists assume that the factory lubricant applied to new chains is a high-performance lube meant to optimize efficiency. However, according to extensive friction testing by Zero Friction Cycling (ZFC), this factory grease is actually one of the worst substances for drivetrain efficiency. Instead of reducing friction, it greatly increases it.
Here is why:
High Viscosity = High Friction: The factory grease is typically thick and sticky, leading to increased metal-on-metal contact. Unlike optimized lubricants designed for low friction, the stock coating increases resistance in the rollers and pins.
Contaminant Magnet: Factory grease is notorious for trapping dirt and debris, accelerating wear and further increasing drivetrain losses.
Inconsistent Application: Unlike performance lubricants that evenly coat the chain’s internal surfaces, factory grease can leave uneven patches, where some links might have more resistance than others.
The Data: How Bad Is a New Chain?
Zero Friction Cycling’s testing shows that a factory-fresh chain has one of the highest friction levels of any lubrication state. Here are some key findings:
A brand-new chain with factory grease can have 4-5 watts or more drivetrain losses compared to a properly prepped and waxed chain.
Factory grease quickly degrades, causing performance to worsen within just a few hundred kilometers.
Chains prepped and lubricated with high-quality wax or oil can reduce friction by a minimum of 2-5 watts compared to factory grease, and in many cases substantially more watts.
The Right Way to Prep a New Chain
If you want to maximize efficiency, never ride a new chain straight from the box. Instead, follow this process to strip away the high-friction factory grease and replace it with a top-tier lubricant:
Break It In: Install the properly sized chain on your bike. Ideally, using an indoor trainer, ride with the new chain for a minimum of 20-30 minutes. This opens up the links which is ideal for the cleaning process. If you don't have an indoor trainer, then ride outside in dry conditions. We use a motorized break-in machine but the riding method works.
Degrease Completely: Shake the chain in 3-4oz of mineral spirits in a sealed container (we use plastic peanut butter jars), remove chain and properly discard used mineral spirits. Do this a minimum of three times, shaking the jar for about one minute per rinse. It's best if you can let the chain soak in the first mineral spirits bath overnight before starting the process. Clean the inside of the jar before each rinse. Then, do the same thing with two rounds of denatured alchohol baths, using a separate container than the one used for mineral spirits. This is the minimum required to remove factory grease. There are no short-cuts.
Ultrasonically Clean: Following the proper instructions for operating your ultrasonic cleaner, after degassing, place the chain in the US cleaner to remove any remaining grease and microscopic metal shavings or debris between the links from the manufacturing process. If you want the absolute lowest-friction chain possible, ultrasonic cleaning is essential. You may have to run it through the US cleaner more than once if the solution appears cloudy or debris filled after the initial cleaning.
Apply a Proven Low-Friction Lubricant: The best options are hot-melt wax (such as Silca Secret Chain Blend, or MSpeedWax) or a high-performance drip wax (such as Silca Super Secret). These reduce metal-on-metal contact and dramatically cut friction. If using an oil-based lubricant, Silca Synergetic is the absolute lowest-friction lubricant available in this class.
Break It In: A freshly waxed or well-lubricated chain needs a short break-in period to fully distribute the lubricant inside the rollers.
Wipe It Clean: If you have applied an oil-based wet lube, wipe the excess oil off the chain with a lint-free shop cloth or micro-fiber rag. Wipe off as much oil as possible off the exterior of the chain. There is no value to oil on the outside of the chain, it only attracts contamination. If you wax, wipe the chain with a clean micro-fiber cloth after each ride. Remember, a waxed chain will need a break-in period of about 20 miles before it begins to run smooth.
Conclusion: Save Watts, Prep Your Chain
A new chain might look clean and fresh, but in reality, it's a friction-heavy liability straight out of the box. If you’re serious about efficiency, never ride a new chain without first stripping and re-lubricating it. Following this simple step will not only save you watts but also extend the life of your entire drivetrain.
For riders who want the ultimate low-friction setup without the hassle, Precision Pedal Pros offers professional ultrasonic chain cleaning and Silca or MSpeedWax Chain Wax Services, ensuring your drivetrain is optimized from day one. Call today—by appointment only!
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