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We’re stoked to announce the launch of Dark Energy Chain Wax - our next generation dropper wax engineered to hit the sweet spot between efficiency, durability and low wear. The ultimate chain wax juxtaposition.
The result is a clean, fast and quiet drivetrain - built to perform ride after ride.
Developed for road, gravel and MTB, Dark Energy is the outcome of four years of dedicated research and development inside our unique Muc-Off R&D Lab, alongside close collaboration with pro-team riders and performance staff. Over that period, we created and tested more than 90 formulations through a structured and repeatable development loop. That included over 8,500 hours of dynamometer and tribometer testing, plus more than 100,000km of real-world testing by our in-house test team and professional teams.
Our objective was clear but demanding - create a dropper wax that delivers high levels of efficiency, durability and low wear. Engineering all three into one formulation is a significant challenge. To achieve it, we brought together our in-house formulation chemistry, tribology and performance engineering expertise to create a rigorous and repeatable testing protocol.
Inside our lab, we subjected formulations to tribological screening aligned to independent ASTM standards, benchmarking coefficient of friction (CoF) and wear properties consistently across every iteration. The strongest performers progressed to dynamometer efficiency testing in both clean and contaminated conditions over extended periods.
We then quantified wear using our white-light interferometry equipment, enabling high-resolution 3D surface profiling so we can measure microscopic wear scars with precision. The system measures down to 0.1 of a micron - around 700 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair. It is mounted on an active air isolation table to eliminate micro-vibrations - even those created by the human voice - ensuring accurate and, critically, repeatable results under tightly controlled conditions.
But laboratory data is only one part of the story.
Once a formula proves itself in the lab, we move into real-world validation. Our in-house test team rides each formulation to destruction in all weather and terrain conditions. From there, we work closely with our roster of professional racers who are embedded directly into the testing programme, creating a continuous feedback loop.
Performance directors, mechanics and riders from EF Pro Cycling, Decathlon CMA CGM, Commencal // Muc-Off and Specialized Factory Racing provided structured feedback throughout development. Their insight directly shaped formulation refinements, which then restarted the entire testing cycle again. That iterative loop is why Dark Energy represents a full four-year development journey.
Dark Energy has already delivered at World Tour level, supporting Naomi Rüegg’s victory at the Tour Down Under in January and validating its performance under race pressure.
To further substantiate our findings, we commissioned independent efficiency and friction testing from Robert Khünen in Germany. Independent wear and CoF testing was also completed by ESR Technology - the UK’s national centre of tribology. Both third-party testing houses corroborated the results generated within our in-house R&D facility.
“Dark Energy represents the most complete balance we’ve achieved between efficiency, durability and wear. Hitting one of those metrics is difficult. Delivering all three consistently is significantly harder. This product reflects years of dedication to building our unique in-house chemistry, tribology and performance engineering capabilities - and our commitment to measurable, repeatable testing protocols at the highest level of the sport.”
Alex Trimnell, Owner, CEO and founding family member
Dark Energy Chain Wax is PFAS and PTFE free and contains plant-derived, inherently biodegradable wax.
Alongside Dark Energy, we are also introducing Chain Wax Cleaner. We developed this specifically for wax-based drivetrains. The formula removes factory grease, residual oils and old wax build-up without leaving contaminants that compromise adhesion. Designed for both initial preparation and re-wax cycles, it helps maintain consistent bond strength between wax and chain - critical for sustaining long-term performance.
