Faction and Andrew L’Esperance Have Teamed Up On An Digital Chain Lubrication System for Gravel Racing

Gravel racing is difficult each mentally and bodily, but it surely’s additionally tough in your gear. With marquee occasions like Unbound pushing riders and their bikes to the restrict for 200 miles, your tools, and particularly your drivetrain, takes an absolute beating. Factor in unpredictable climate and floor circumstances that may change from mud to mud by the minute, and the grit accrued in your chain, cassette, and chainring(s) can massively affect your drivetrain’s effectivity on race day. 

For racers on the pointy finish of the sector, dropping watts to a grimy chain or stopping to lube it mid-race can each negatively affect your outcomes. If you cease, you possibly can lose valuable time, get dropped by the group, or probably see your title slide down the outcomes sheet. Which is why we sometimes see racers trying to lube their (or generally different riders’) drivetrains whereas driving — or developing with their very own techniques to do it on the fly.

We simply realized that our associates at Faction Bike Studio have teamed up with Andrew L’Esperance to create a brand-new, hands-free, digital chain lubrication system. Here’s a sneak peek.

From a DIY Concept to a Functional Prototype

Finishing within the high 10 general within the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix, Andrew L’Esperance appreciates the effectivity of a well-lubricated drivetrain. In truth, the Canadian rider was noticed utilizing his personal on-bike lubrication method at Unbound final yr. L’Esperance zip-tied a syringe of chain lube to his seat tube, which he may manually press to use lube to his chain on the fly.

Now, Faction Bike Studio and L’Esperance have “turned that original concept into a fully integrated electronic chain lube dripper system purpose-built for gravel racing.” With the push of a button, the system reportedly delivers a metered quantity of lubricant to hit the complete chain whereas pedaling at ~75 rpm. Check out the brief video beneath to see it in motion.

The system features a lube chamber hidden discreetly within the seat tube, a handlebar-mounted distant, and a customized information and dripper positioned above the chainring. The entire system weighs a claimed 100g.

This isn’t the primary automated on-bike chain lubricator that we’ve seen. Both the Rohloff Lubmatic and the Scottoiler Cycle S1 have been variations of the idea that aimed to work equally. Neither of these appeared to have a lot business success, nonetheless, in all probability due partly to the restricted marketplace for such a distinct segment bike accent. Still, the Faction x L’Esperance system seems to be the lightest, sleekest, and most refined model that we’ve seen so far.

How Well Does it Work?

Saturday’s Unbound 200 would be the first real-world race check of this brand-new digital chain lube system. There’s clearly much more to a profitable experience via the Flint Hills than a well-lubed drivetrain, but it surely definitely couldn’t damage L’Esperance’s possibilities. And it is going to undoubtedly be a real check of the system throughout correct race circumstances. We’ll definitely be watching and are eager to see the way it performs.

Best of luck to Andrew L’Esperance and all the different opponents taking up Unbound Gravel this weekend. We’ll convey you extra information on this distinctive new digital chain lube system when we now have it. Stay tuned.

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