A couple of years back, Finnish ski wax brand Rex jumped into cycling with a two-part race day-only chain lubrication system developed to get you free watts. Now they are back with a new nanotech-powered Black Diamond chain lube that is easier to use, longer lasting, and has been independently-tested to be even faster!
Update: Rex has since updated us with pricing. See below…
Rex Black Diamond wax-based, “fastest ever” chain lube
While Rex is still a big name in ski wax, they continue to shave watts in cycling as well. The result is a new ultra-low friction chain lube called Black Diamond that uses nanotech particles specially mixed into a liquid wax formula to make an easy-to-use lube, which just so happens to be the fastest ever tested by Wheel Energy.
Wheel Energy laboratories, who remains one of the few truly independent lube efficiency testing facilities in the world, helped Rex in development by testing several iterations of their latest chain lube. Ultimately in the independent 300km test on the dyno (at 175W load), this new Black yielded the lowest resistance of any of the tested premium lubes. Rex even claims that the new lube was ridden to a stage win at the Tour de France this summer. Although they don’t say which rider it was likely due to sponsorship agreements, it looks likely to have been French rider Thibaut Pinot.
Tech details
The new lube is said to use “Black Diamond particles that are mixed into the lube in a time-consuming ultrasonication process” that Rex does in-house at their Racing Service laboratory. Those particles are embedded in the same high-fluorocarbon, paraffin-based N-kinetic nanowax carrier that Rex uses for their XC ski wax due to its low friction & excellent penetration. The new combination reduces overall friction, decreases wear, and also possesses improved rain resistance.
The new lube is simple to apply. First, degrease the chain, then just a single drop to each chain roller before you ride. Black Diamond does not use an evaporative solvent carrier, so you can ride immediately after lubing up.
Availability
The new Black Diamond lube is produced in-house in Finland by Rex. The first production batch Black Diamond just rolled off the line at the start of October, so it hasn’t made it out to shops just yet. And we are waiting to hear back on final retail pricing.
Update: Rex tells us that the new Black Diamond sells for 40€ for this 30g bottle. That compares to 18€ for their standard Domestique chain lube.
We have however gotten a small 30g/1oz bottle to try out ourselves, and have already put it to a few days of tough gravel testing. So far it’s been mostly dry drivetrain abuse, but with enough water crossings to accumulate a fair bit of dust & dirt. So far it is running smooth & quiet on the first application, but we’ll clean everything up and re-lube, then see about testing out the “rainproof” & “all-weather” claims. Stay tuned.
