One application of Cha’s graphite chain lube is claimed to last for about 180 km of riding — without cleaning, without sticky buildup, and without waiting for it to dry.  

Cleaner drivetrains, fewer reapplications — Cha positions graphite as cycling’s next step. Credit: New Atlas


Traditional oil-based lubricants leave chains greasy, attract dirt, and demand constant cleaning. 

Kickstarter pledges start at $20, aiming to change chain care habits. Credit: CHA

Cha takes a different path. It uses powdered graphite, a dry lubricant long trusted in industries where oil fails — railway systems, aerospace, heavy machinery. 

Trail, Storm, Core — three capsule types tuned for different conditions. Credit: New Atlas

Graphite particles are microscopically fine, small enough to migrate into the gaps between chain plates, rollers, and pins. 

“Graphite stays dry and doesn’t attract dirt,” says founder Josep Hernández Martinez. Credit: CHA

Once inside, they adhere to the metal surfaces and form a protective film. 

That film reduces friction and wear, but because it’s dry, it doesn’t collect grit the way oil does.  

The challenge has always been application. Graphite powder is messy, impractical to sprinkle onto a chain. 

Cha’s solution is a compact nylon bracket that clips over the lower section of the chain. Inside sits a replaceable capsule of compressed graphite. 

Backpedal a few strokes, and the chain drags across the capsule, picking up a uniform coat. The process takes seconds.  

Founder Josep Hernández Martinez explains the appeal directly: “Graphite stays dry and doesn’t attract dirt the way oil-based lubes do, so there’s no gunky buildup. 

Any excess naturally works off as you ride. Cha’s formula is non-toxic and environmentally safe.”  

The capsules come in three versions. Core is for everyday use. Storm is tuned for wet conditions. Trail is designed for dirt and gravel riding. Each capsule is replaceable, priced at about €7, and lasts for significantly more applications than a typical bottle of liquid lube.  

Unlike wax-based lubricants, which also avoid grime but require drying time, Cha’s graphite coat is ready instantly. 

You apply, you ride. No waiting, no residue on hands or kit. 

The company claims one treatment is good for 180 km, or 112 miles, depending on conditions.  

The device itself is made in Barcelona, developed in collaboration with 3D printing company Formlabs. 

It’s currently offered through Kickstarter, with pledges starting at US$20. Planned retail price is $31.  

The implications are straightforward. If Cha’s claims hold, cyclists could maintain cleaner drivetrains with less effort, fewer reapplications, and reduced environmental impact compared to petrochemical oils. 

The product positions itself not just as another lube, but as a rethink of how chains are maintained.  

The perspective to sit with is this: cycling has long accepted dirty chains as inevitable. 

Cha suggests they aren’t. If graphite can deliver the same protection without the mess, the definition of chain care may shift — from constant cleaning to a quick backpedal before the ride.  

Sources: New Atlas, CHA