Originally Posted by
aixaix
Finding that lubricant has no effect on the percentage of power transmitted by a roller chain in a controlled environment is interesting and of value, as are their other findings.
...referring to the JHU study.
This statement about a finding of no difference in efficiency appears a number of times on this thread, but it's just not true. The study found a 2.3% difference in efficiency between a lubed (Pedros Syn lube) and un-lubed chain @100 watts input, 52x15, 60rpm.
To put that in some perspective, if you're in a group ride going up a 1 mile long 3% grade and can put 250 watts to the rear wheel with an un-lubed chain and your exact twin is in the same ride with a lubed chain putting 2% more power to the rear wheel, 255 watts, at the same effort he'll get to the top 64 feet ahead of you (see
http://www.analyticcycling.com/ForcesSpeed_Page.html to play around with different power/speed scenarios). If you're the weak rider in your group that could easily mean being dropped, or not. And that's just one, short, shallow hill. If the total elevation gain over your entire ride is just 1500 feet the difference at the end will be about 200 yards.
Choosing the right lube is equally important. The Pedros Syn lube was 1.7% more efficient than the Castrol dry lube and 1.5% more efficient than White Lightening.
If you're of the mindset "what's 1 or 2%" when you think about chain lube then you'll probably be of that mindset when it comes to tire selection (another 2 to 5 watts), wheels ( 4 to 8 watts among everyday non-exotics), and particularly perceived minutia like where you carry your drink bottle(s). Taken individually these are small things, collectively they're not just 60 feet on one small hill but hundreds. It makes a difference.