A TRULY HIGH PERFORMANCE BIKE CHAIN
Proving savings of over 10 watts* against Ceramic Speed’s Shimano Dura-Ace UFO Chain over a race distance on our dynamometer, the NTC is the culmination of thousands of hours of research and development into drivetrain optimisation.
To create this revolutionary product, we sonic cleanse a Shimano Dura-Ace chain and then hand treat it with a proprietary nanotube formulation. Once in the hands of the customer, it simply needs to be run-in on a turbo for 4-6 hours before it reaches its optimum lubrication state.
What makes the NTC so special is its ability to deliver wattage savings consistently over long periods of time and in all weathers. Other chains may claim to be ‘the fastest’ but what they don’t tell you is for how long and in what conditions.
A major finding to come from Muc-Off’s Development House was the shorter durability of Ceramic Speed Shimano UFO Chain. Whilst efficiency of this product was admittedly quite good in the first few minutes, registering at around 4.5 - 5 watts, this performance rapidly deteriorated after only 18 minutes!
In comparison, the NTC only continues to get faster, with over 10 watts advantage against Ceramic Speed’s latest treatment UFO Shimano Chain after four hours. In performance terms, this means that the NTC will give you a gain of 3 miles over a 112- mile Ironman bike stage, calculated using the average time of 6 hours and 25 minutes.
Unlike other optimised chains currently available in the market, the NTC maintains its performance in all-weather conditions.
*Over a 112-mile Ironman stage.
FEATURES:
- Incredibly low friction.
- Class-leading performance.
- For use in ALL weather conditions.
- More durable than wax optimised chains.
- Each chain is hand treated using Muc-Off proprietary process to maximise performance.
- Shimano = 116 links
- Sram = 114 links
VIDEO:
BROCHURE:
Check out the official Nanotube Chain brochure by clicking here.
CARE AND INSTALLATION:
Pre-Install:
Please ensure your entire drivetrain is thoroughly degreased prior to use. If you can sonic clean your chain rings and rear cassette then please do so (using our drivetrain cleaner formula) to ensure the smoothest and fastest possible interface between your new chain and drive surface. If you don't have access to a sonic cleaner, then please follow our step-by-step videos and guides to drive chain cleaning on our website.
We recommend wearing workshop gloves for the install. The Nanotube film is black by nature and almost looks dirty, but this is just the Nanotube powder/synthetic lubricant mix. So don't worry, it may not look fast, but believe us it is!
Ensure your working environment is also clean in case you drop the chain during install. We recommend using our Bike Mat under your work stand, so if you do drop it, you won't pick up any grit or grime. Start by reducing your chain to the desired length. Now fit as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pre-Race:
The chain needs to be run in under load to reach its optimum. Using 250+ watts, this will take approximately 4 hours. Once this is done it will remain at its optimum in all conditions until it’s ready for cleaning and retreatment.
If you are using your chain in dusty conditions you may wish to wipe the chain to minimise dust pick up, but this will reduce the durability of the treatment.
Duration:
Your chain will run in dry conditions for approximately 400+ miles and in wet for approximately 250+ miles. Log each ride so you know when you will need to re-treat it.
Cleaning in-between treatments:
You can clean your bike and wash the chain lightly with water in between stages/races without the need to degrease or re-lube the chain if your total mileage is below the recommended durations above. You may wish to remove the chain and then thoroughly clean the rest of the drivetrain if needed.
Re-treatment:
When you are ready to clean your chain, bring it back to within 1-2 watts of its optimum by applying the top up Nanotube Chain Lube. This means you can thoroughly clean and re-treat your chain for many more hundreds of miles of ultimate speed. It won't be as fast as when it was first treated, as we use a special technique and processes to ensure the formula is driven deep into each link for 100% coverage, but you can still achieve significant savings. Don’t worry, it will still be one of the fastest chains on the planet for many more 1000’s of miles!
NANOTUBE CHAIN - AS USED BY SIR BRADLEY WIGGINS, TEAM SKY AND CHRIS FROOME
The Nanotube Chain already has proven legitimacy on the international stage, having helped Sir Bradley Wiggins smashed the Hour Record, the GB Cycling team used chains optimised with this very same treatment on their path to 12 medals at the 2016 Olympic Games and Team Sky and Chris Froome used an NTC chain to ride to victory in the 2017 Grand Tour in France AND Vuelta a Espana!
OUR COMPETITOR'S SHORTFALLS
What makes the NTC so special is its ability to deliver wattage savings consistently over long periods of time and in all weathers. Other chains may claim to be ‘the fastest’ but what they don’t tell you is for how long and in what conditions.
A major finding to come from Muc-Off’s Development House was the shorter durability of Ceramic Speed Shimano UFO Chain. Whilst efficiency of this product was admittedly quite good in the first few minutes, registering at around 4.5 - 5 watts, this performance rapidly deteriorated after only 18 minutes!
COMPARING THE NANOTUBE CHAIN WITH CERAMIC SPEED'S UFO SHIMANO CHAIN
In comparison, the NTC only continues to get faster, with over 10 watts advantage against Ceramic Speed’s latest treatment UFO Shimano Chain after four hours. In performance terms, this means that the NTC will give you a gain of 3 miles over a 112- mile Ironman bike stage, calculated using the average time of 6 hours and 25 minutes. Unlike other optimised chains currently available in the market, the NTC maintains its performance in all-weather conditions.
THE SCIENCE EXPLAINED
So, what’s the science behind it? One of the primary ingredients of the lubricant is nanotubes, which are composed graphene and rolled into a tube. Now imagine the metal of a bicycle chain’s inner and outer plates. To the naked eye it may look smooth, but at a microscopic level, it is in fact quite rough and ragged. As the chain is run through the drivetrain, these jagged edges catch on each other, which in turn causes friction.
The job of a nanotube is to fill these gaps, creating a slippery smooth surface that minimizes metal-on-metal resistance. The end results? Substantial wattage savings that can cut significant time from a ride and the peace of mind that it won’t change with the weather.
We’ve also developed a top-up bottle of Nanotube Lube, which will bring the chain to within 1-2 watts of its optimum state!
