Muc-Off has announced the launch of its pro-level chain optimization service to dealers around the world, utilizing their new Ultrasonic Clean and Lube Tanks.
The service is now available through over 20 select dealers across the UK, with the global roll-out to follow next month with a further 300 stores in over 15 countries. This news follows their recent launch of the the brand’s Ludicrous AF, which claims to be the fastest race lube in the world.
A process that’s been developed with, and tested by, the likes of INEOS Grenadiers, EF Education-NIPPO, Canyon//SRAM, Team BMC Pro Triathlon and Team GB, Muc-Off’s chain optimization service using Ultrasonic technology has provided unrivaled gains for the world’s elite cyclists and triathletes for almost a decade.
“After years of testing and over seven figures invested into research and development, we’re completely stoked to be bringing this incredible process to bike shops. We think every rider deserves to experience the same products and services as the pros, just like with the launch of the Grand-Tour-winning Ludicrous AF Lube. Ultrasonic Tanks are the next evolution in our performance journey – we can’t wait for more riders to experience the epic gains these products offer!” – Alex Trimnell, CEO at Muc-Off.
Aside from tank hardware and accessories, four Muc-Off products make up the core of the chain optimization process. Muc-Off’s specifically formulated High-Performance Ultrasonic Chain Cleaner, which quickly breaks down the stickiest oils, grease and grime, giving a chain a complete refresh; High-Pressure Quick Drying Degreaser, which can be used in the absence of a dedicated air-line to blast the cleaning fluid from inside the chain links; and Ludicrous AF, or Hydrodynamic – Muc-Off’s award-winning high-performance all-weather lube, which are provided as the two lubricant options for customers to choose from.
Using Muc-Off’s Ultrasonic Tanks, the chain goes through an intense cleaning and lubing treatment. Once the chain is placed in the tank, high-frequency sound waves that pulse through the cleaning liquid, agitates, lifts and removes any dirt out from within the chain links. This is followed by a blast from the High-Pressure Quick Drying Degreaser, leaving a squeaky-clean surfaces for the lube to adhere to.
For the lubrication process, Ludicrous AF or Hydrodynamic lube is gently heated to the precise temperature required to create the optimum viscosity for the lube to penetrate deep into all contact points within the chain links. The lubricants themselves contain organic friction modifiers, which with their polarized heads and non-polarised tails, attach themselves to either side of the base oil’s surface to form a low-friction shear plane. It’s this combination of formulation and application which results in reduced friction, increasing the amount of watts making it through the drivetrain, and therefore the rear wheel.
Muc-Off’s work with pro athletes and teams also spans into elite-level triathlon. The real-world testing and development of the ultrasonic application of Ludicrous AF, carried out in collaboration with an elite triathlete of BMC Pro-Triathlon has been a testament to the power of their drivetrain optimization abilities. By swapping out the existing chain for a new, optimized one, the process delivered a 50% reduction in power loss, which powered them to a 2nd place finish at an IRONMAN event. The chain was then returned and re-optimized, causing the coefficient of friction to be reduced by a further 10%, helping them claim the victory at their next IRONMAN. A further 5% improvement was then squeezed out of the chain, as the compound effect of the optimization process, means the chain simply keeps getting faster each time.
Drivetrain optimization has long since been overlooked in the pursuit of speed, with riders naturally gravitating towards aerodynamic improvements and weight reduction. With Muc-Off’s new Ultrasonic Optimization Service retailing at $64.99 for application with Ludicrous AF, and $24.99 with Hydrodynamic Lube, riders can slash watts and enjoy more speed, at an accessible price point.
“We have enjoyed seven very successful years together with Muc-Off, marked by wins at a number of Grand Tours and other major races. Muc-Off have been ultrasonically optimizing our chains for years, and the subsequent gains we’ve seen in drivetrain efficiency during that time, have been instrumental in helping us deliver those results. It’s fantastic that everyday riders can now experience the same benefits as our pro-riders – making this kind of technology widely available takes aspiring pros one step closer to achieving their goals,” says ”Carsten Jeppesen, Technical Director at INEOS Grenadiers.
Despite being ultra-fast, smooth and highly efficient, the optimization process using Ultrasonic Tanks is a sustainable one. The High-Performance Ultrasonic Chain Cleaner is readily biodegradable, while Ludicrous AF is made of 75% plant-based materials, and Hydrodynamic lube is petroleum-free, meaning the fluids from tanks can be safely and responsibly disposed of. In addition to ultrasonically deep cleaning and lubricating the drivetrain, expensive componentry will last longer, minimizing waste and further reducing the environmental impact.
The dealer map is available through the Muc-Off Performance Hub, which demonstrates the technology in more detail.
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