Bicycle lubrication has come a long way since the days of all-purpose grease and oil. For some time now I’ve been testing Whistler Performance Lubricants products on my trail and DH bikes. Both their Fork Boost seal conditioner and Chain Boost lube have made post-ride maintenance easy, and they’ve performed quite well through a wide range of riding conditions.
The father and son team behind Whistler Performance Lubricants are serious local riders who happen to have some scientific expertise to back their products. One nice thing to know is that WPL’s products are all biodegradable and completely safe to use. No worries about needing gloves, inhaling fumes, or dripping harsh chemicals on the trails as you ride.
Fork Boost
WPL’s Fork Boost is designed to clean, lubricate and help extend the life of fork seals. The lube does not induce seal swelling or cracking. In addition to cleaning seals, Fork Boost can also be used to soak foam seals and cut grease to desired thicknesses during fork rebuilds.
I’ve been using Fork Boost on my DH bike since late-summer last year, and on my trail bike since this spring. My downhill bike spends most of its life in the Whistler Bike Park, which is typically muddy in the spring but dusty and dry for most of the summer. My trail bike sees similar conditions, and endures much more mileage than the DH.
Applying Fork Boost after a ride definitely helps lift dirt out of your seals. With a few cycles of the fork, the grime can be easily seen in the fluid on the stanchions. This product aims to eliminate stiction, and while it doesn’t exactly feel like an upgraded damper on the trails my forks were always buttery smooth after cleaning and lubing them post-ride.
While the Fork Boost keeps seals soft and supple, it won’t work miracles against nasty stanchion scratches. I wouldn’t expect any lubricant to eliminate the need for replacement seals, but I was curious to see if my well-lubed seals would cope with the scratches better. Unfortunately, there wasn’t really a detectable difference.
I always felt like I was doing my bikes a big favor by using Fork Boost, and it certainly hasn’t produced any negative effects on my fork’s performance. If you’re looking to keep your forks clean and running smooth, I’d happily recommend Fork Boost.
Chain Boost
WPL’s Chain Boost is a long-lasting lubricant that encourages you to clean your chain in the easiest way- just spray or wipe it off with water. This wet lubricant binds to metal and eliminates corrosion, yet its self-cleaning emulsifying agent allows you to simply rinse dirt and mud off your chain.
I’ve been using Chain Boost on my trail bike as of this summer, and on my DH bike since late summer 2016. Right away I thought this product is very ideal for bike park riders, who typically hit the hose station after each session. With Chain Boost on your bike, there’s no need to worry about re-lubing right afterwards, as the chain will not rust despite being left damp.
I was told by WPL’s main brain Alejandro Marangoni that I didn’t need to use much for each application, and I find my small bottle is going quite a long way. Regardless of weather and trail conditions, the chains on both my bikes always stay pretty clean and always run smoothly.
In dry conditions, a small amount of dust would stick to my links but it never built up any worse than the above photo shows. With a spray of the hose, most of the dust slides right off and your chain is left clean and ready for another ride.
When things get mucky, the Chain Boost performs in a similar fashion. It seems to do a great job of resisting mud buildup, and again almost all of the grime simply washes off under the hose.
I’ve been quite happy with WPL’s Chain Boost because it’s safe to the touch, and makes post-ride maintenance painfully easy. I like how the transparent fluid keeps your chain looking shiny and new, and most importantly it’s proven quite effective at preventing messy buildups of anything from moon dust to clumpy muck.
Check out Whistler Performance Lubricants’ website to see their full line of products.
