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Stage 8 is all about testing.
This stage reinforces the role of our rigorous internal testing process, alongside the importance of independent third-party testing. Only by combining multiple data points and sources can we build a clear and reliable picture of what Dark Energy Chain Wax truly delivers.
All comparative testing during stage 8 was conducted against other dropper wax emulsions. Dark Energy is formulated as a dropper wax so should be considered within that category and its intended use case.
The development objective for Dark Energy Chain Wax is to achieve the holy trinity: an optimal balance of efficiency, low wear, and durability primarily in dry & dusty conditions, which is where dropper waxes tend to excel.
To assess this, we conducted testing across three key areas:
- Efficiency Testing (Internal testing + Third-party testing)
- Wear Testing (Internal testing + Third-party testing)
- Durability Testing (Internal testing + Pro rider testing)
The goal is to evaluate whether performance is consistent across internal and external repeatable test protocols - ensuring objectivity and fairness by adhering to all manufacturer usage guidelines.
1. Efficiency Testing
Internal dynamometer efficiency testing
Our dynamometers offer a precise measurement of drivetrain efficiency, derived from the difference between applied and output wattage.
Under controlled loads, we conducted a fixed chain tension test against a set of leading dropper wax emulsions.
We begin with full tension to ensure the contact pressure reflects real-world application. The drive motor turns the chainring while the sprocket rotates freely. The power required to turn the shaft is therefore equal to the frictional losses within the drivetrain, enabling precise measurement.
All products were tested under the following controlled conditions:
- Chain spec: Shimano M8100 - 116 links
- Chain Prep: Ultrasonic clean / Oven dried / Emulsion applied to each link / 12-hour curing
- Full tension test
- Straight chainline (53/11)
- 95 rpm cadence
- 20°C ambient air temperature
- 4-hour average measurement
- 250 W load
In our testing, Dark Energy Chain Wax performed best in terms of efficiency, with 4.96 W lost across the test duration. This was just ahead of Smoove Universal Chain Lube, which saw losses of 5.02 W.
Independent dynamometer testing
Following internal full tension testing, independent dynamometer testing using a slack configuration took place in Germany by Robert Kühnen at Bike Engineering.
The objective was to measure drivetrain efficiency under varied controlled loads using the same set of dropper wax emulsions, providing additional data and deeper insight.
All products were tested under the following controlled conditions:
- Chain spec: Shimano M8100 - 114 links
- Chain Prep: Ultrasonic clean / Oven dried / Emulsion applied to each link / 12-hour curing
- Slack test configuration to reflect a bicycle drivetrain set-up
- Straight chainline (32/17)
- 92 rpm cadence
- 19°C ambient air temperature
- 60 minutes at 370 W (40-minute run-in + 20-minute measurement)
- Followed by 10 minutes at 680 W
In this test set, Dark Energy Chain Wax performed at the leading end of the efficiency results, within half a watt of the lowest recorded drivetrain loss. Across the full test set, the spread between best and worst products was 5.6 W (9.1 W to 14.7 W).
This does not mean a single efficiency test answers every question or confirms which lube performs best overall; durability and wear are also critical factors to understand. What it does demonstrate is strong performance under controlled, repeatable load conditions in an independent third-party test.
Differences in results from different testers can occur due to slight variations in methodology and test configuration. This is why we continue to call upon the wider industry to agree a standard set of industry-wide tests and standards, so riders can make the best lube selection based on consistent data and testing protocols from all manufacturers.
2. Wear Testing
Internal tribology wear screening
Efficiency is only part of the picture. Dark Energy Chain Wax was designed to hit the sweet spot of efficiency, low wear and durability.
We conducted standardised ASTM G133 reciprocating sliding wear testing using calibrated tribological systems within Muc-Off R&D. The aim was to evaluate wear volume under controlled and repeatable conditions.
Dark Energy Chain Wax ranked as the best performer, with Silca Super Secret Chain Lube ranking second. Both progressed to the next stage of testing. Smoove, which happened to perform well from an efficiency perspective did not progress due to not performing well in wear performance.
Internal dynamometer wear testing (Clean - No Contamination)
Chain wear and elongation were measured using a digital gauge, replicating real-world workshop checks. The test was completed using our dynamometer in a slack set up. Measurements were taken every 150 miles, averaged across seven points, with re-lubrication at 300-mile intervals.
This controlled and repeatable method allows accurate comparison of wear behaviour under matched conditions.
Dark Energy Chain Wax outperformed Silca Super Secret Chain Lube, achieving 25% less wear (0.09mm vs 0.12mm) after 2700 miles of clean dynamometer testing. Testing remains ongoing.
Internal dynamometer wear testing (Dry contamination)
At this point, we test again with contamination added. Sandy loam is applied to the chain through a custom-designed and highly controllable chute. The chute allows the application of contaminants to be measured accurately, ensuring credible data points and more importantly, repeatability in the testing.
This is conducted in a slack test configuration to reflect a bicycle set up using a straight chain line 53/11, running at 95 RPM cadence. We take a 10-minute efficiency measurement followed by chain wear measurement at 150 miles.
Dark Energy Chain Wax outperformed Silca Super Secret Chain Lube, achieving 22% less wear (0.07 mm vs 0.09 mm) after 900 miles of dry contamination dynamometer testing. Testing remains ongoing.
This combination of tribological and dynamometer clean and dry contaminated testing ensured wear was assessed both microscopically (via interferometry) and practically (via chain elongation).
Following this screening process, both products progressed to independent third-party tribological testing.
Independent tribology testing
Testing was conducted by the UK's national centre for tribology - ESR Technology using ASTM G133 protocols. This method isolates boundary lubrication behaviour where metal-to-metal contact and additive performance are most critical in a bicycle drivetrain.
While no single test captures every aspect of a full bicycle drivetrain, this type of test is useful for comparing wear behaviour under matched load and motion due to its highly controlled and repeatable protocol. The reason why this is important is that a chain is under a multitude of forces which can affect test data, therefore being able to control a protocol and repeat it with confidence is critical to the integrity of the results.
Wear volume was 2.37 × 10⁵ µm³ for Dark Energy Chain Wax and 13.38 × 10⁵ µm³ for Silca Super Secret Chain Lube.
This result reflects boundary-wear performance under controlled conditions and should be interpreted as a comparative indicator rather than a full prediction of drivetrain life.
Multiple repeatable test methods were used
Repeatability enables meaningful comparison. No single test captures every scenario, so multiple methods and testing stages are required.
Confidence comes from convergence: when internal testing, independent testing and real-world performance align.
3. Durability Testing
Internal durability testing
Durability testing begins with analysis of dynamometer data to determine single-application longevity, combined with structured feedback from our in-house testing team.
Test riders complete controlled mileage blocks across road, gravel and MTB disciplines, tracking noise, contamination resistance, reapplication intervals and consistency over time.
Testing spans dry, dusty and mixed conditions to stress the formulation beyond lab environments.
Pro rider durability testing
In Stage 8, durability is further tested by professional riders across road and off-road disciplines. Performance staff, mechanics and riders integrate Dark Energy into race and training environments, providing structured feedback on longevity and consistency.
Reports from both pro riders and internal test riders included that Dark Energy was not just clean and quiet but also performed well in damp conditions.
This phase of testing ensures that performance translates from controlled testing into real-world conditions, and formed the basis of our 300 mile durability figure.
During this process, there were standout results - including 1st place for Luke Lamperti at Paris-Nice (Stage 1), 1st place for Noemi Rüegg at the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under (Stage 3), 1st place for Tobias Lund Andresen at Tirreno-Adriatico (Stage 3), 2nd place for Paul Seixas at Strade Bianche, and 3rd overall for Harry Sweeney at the Santos Tour Down Under. These performances were our development story hiding in plain sight, collectively ratifying our performance objectives.
Conclusion
Taken together, the Stage 8 results show strong efficiency, low wear and durable performance for Dark Energy in its intended use case: primarily dry, dusty but also damp riding conditions. As with all dropper chain waxes, correct preparation, cure time and reapplication matter, and if the drivetrain is ridden in wet conditions, it should be cleaned and re-lubed after the ride.
Finally, it’s important to note that this is just the start, as our development process never ends. We will continue to publish more in the upcoming weeks.
