BENTONVILLE, Ark. (BRAIN) — Allied Cycle Works, the manufacturer of carbon fiber gravel and road frames, is launching GRAX, a new chain lubricant and drive train cleaner system. GRAX is formulated to shed moisture, mud, slop, and goo in extreme conditions of endurance gravel races.
Allied said the company was looking for a chain lube that caters to Bentonville's highly variable dirt conditions and the long miles being put in by gravel racers including Allied-sponsored pro Colin Strickland, who won the 2019 Unbound Gravel 200 race.
Allied said a chance meeting with Dr. Samuel Beckford set things in motion. An expert in surface technology and product development in other categories like ski wax, Dr. Beckford already had a concept of testing experimental hydrophobic lubricant formulas for bicycle chain use. Dr. Beckford and Allied product development and engineering lead, Sam Pickman, piloted the concept. The team weeded down test samples to a few formulas in the lab that really stood out over competitor products before the Allied crew and Strickland tested them on their bikes for over a year. The end result is GRAX.
GRAX is short for "gravel wax." Allied said it differs from anything on the market due to its ability to repel water and wattage expenditure both in dry and muddy conditions.
For GRAX to work it needs to be applied to a drive train free of dirt, debris and other lubricants, the company said. "Many degreasers on the market are very harsh and not designed for practical home use so the team developed GRAX OFF, a non-toxic, biodegradable and easy/safe cleaner. The GRAX OFF formula is specifically tuned to remove GRAX chain lubricant."
The GRAX High-Performance Chain Lube in a 4-ounce bottle retails for $20; a 16-ounce bottle of GRAX OFF drive train cleaner also retails for $20. A "GRAX Pack" with factory-treated Chain retails for $75.
The factory-treated chains will be available in several models of SRAM and Shimano 11- and 12-speed chains.
Allied will sell the products at wholesale to shops and consumer-direct.
More information at AlliedCycleWorks.com
