One-Year Review: DUALCO Lubricants

Although DUALCO may be new to the bicycle lubricant market, the Texas-based company has more than 50 years of experience producing lubrication products for light and heavy industry, recreational, and military applications. Additionally, DUALCO’s grease guns have been a staple among professional and home bike mechanics for years (I own several; including one that’s been in service for nearly twenty years).

In development for several years, DUALCO’s bicycle lubricants includes two types of bearing grease, SPOT Lube and No Drag Cable Oil, and an anti-seize compound. The company also offers wet- and dry-weather chain lubes, but samples were not available at the time of this review. Over the past year, I’ve tested DUALCO’s lubes on- and off-road, in rain, snow, and temperatures that ranged from single- to triple-digits. If it moves, there’s a good chance that I’ve lubed it with one of the DUALCO bicycle products.

No Drag Cable Oil
Unlike some all-purpose oils that are marketed (or re-branded) as cable lubes, DUALCO’s No Drag Cable Oil is designed specifically for cables and housing. The oil’s isopropyl alcohol carrier dissipates, leaving a thin coating of lube that is durable, but doesn’t become sluggish in low temperatures or gum up over time. I tested No Drag Cable Oil with Jagwire, Shimano, and SRAM cables and housings, and found that the DUALCO lube made a noticeable difference in braking and shifting smoothness (even with housing that was pre-lubed from the factory). Applying No Drag Cable Oil is easy on new cable installations, but I would like to see DUALCO offer a pinpoint applicator for tight spots with limited access.

SPOT Lube Oil
If you want one lube that can be used for nearly any application, SPOT Lube Oil is an excellent choice–it’s become go-to for anything that doesn’t require grease or a component-specific lube. DUALCO tweaked the viscosity so that the oil doesn’t run, but the lube still performs well in low (and high) temperatures. SPOT Lube Oil is perfect for brake and derailleur pivots and pulleys, and even works well on freehub pawls and ratchets. In a pinch, you can also use it on rack and fender mounting hardware (although the company’s anti-seize or grease is a better long-term solution). DUALCO’s SPOT Lube Oil can also be used for quieting creaky seatposts and saddles

Blue Extreme Duty Bearing Grease
For applications where durability and protection trump everything else, DUALCO’s Blue Extreme Duty Grease should be at the top of your list. Loaded with rust and oxidation inhibitors, DUALCO’s blue grease boasts an operating temperature range of -65 to 375 degrees (Fahrenheit). The synthetic grease is easy to apply (it has the consistency of peanut butter), yet resists washout and evaporation. I’ve resurrected my share of otherwise-dead bottom brackets and headsets with a combination of judicious cleaning and an application of Blue Extreme Duty Grease. If you want a set-and-forget bearing grease, look no further.

Red High Performance Bearing Grease
Designed for less extreme conditions, DUALCO’s Red High Performance Red Grease combines water resistance and anti-wear protection in an economical, all-purpose package. The red grease’s medium viscosity and consistency makes for easy application, but it’s not too thick for very small bearings such as the ones used in derailleur pulleys. I found DUALCO’s red formula to be an excellent replacement for the stock grease used in Shimano (cup-and-cone) hubs. Where the High Performance grease really shined, though, was with Speedplay pedals’ grease ports–the bearings on my SYZRs are still rolling smooth despite seeing their share of rain, snow, and even high-pressure cleaning.

DUALCO’s line of bicycle lubes offer an outstanding blend of value and performance. By leveraging the company’s extensive industrial lubrication experience, DUALCO’s products definitely stand apart from their competitors’ generic, re-branded lubes.

Disclosure: DUALCO provided review samples for this article, but offered no other form of compensation in exchange for editorial coverage.