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review

LifeLine Dry Lube with Teflon 50ml

8
£2.50

VERDICT:

8
10
Another great value lube with greater staying prowess than the dry label suggests
Weight: 
57g

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Lifeline Dry Lube with Teflon is another super-clean brew, but it's much nicer to apply and copes better in the current damp, showery conditions than most I've used recently. It's a good deal kinder on the wallet too.

Lifeline advises that it's a blend of synthetic oils with Teflon additives to keep chains slick and shifts frisky. Having whizzed recipient chains through the solvent baths and dried as per instructions, I was somewhat taken aback by its high viscosity.

The honey-coloured fluid pours just like a wet formula, meaning virtually no overspill – a few tiny drops adorned the chainstays having spun the cranks a few times, but that was the only rag action required.

Buy this online here

Damp days persuaded me to apply two light coats, which turned clear and touch dry within 10 minutes. Formative impressions were favourable – there's a little more friction than the 'barely there' watery/wax based formulas, but it's slicker than old fashioned ISO/PTFE oils.

Wet, greasy roads littered with dung are rather adept at stripping or contaminating chains. Traversing these for several weeks, often in the dead of night, I can attest to the Dry Lube's staying prowess and cleanliness, cruising past the 200 mile mark without so much as a murmur.

Regular commutes and mixed terrain meanders on my Univega told a very similar story: low friction, minimal mess. Save for a cursory cat-lick before replenishing at 180 miles, jockey wheels, derailleur cages and side-plates required virtually no attention.

Cleat mechanisms remained sufficiently lubricated in both contexts, and it's handy for 'just while I think of it' oiling of locks, plated fasteners and suchlike. It's a smidge too stocky for oiling your derailleur, cantilever springs and control cables, so I'd say stick with PTFE fortified maintenance sprays here.

>> Getting gritty down below? Check out our guide to cleaning and lubing your chain here 

Ultimately, I've been seriously impressed. Despite this being intended for dry to moist conditions, it could prove viable through milder autumns – if you don't mind topping up more frequently. That said, wet is definitely the way forward for chains in monsoon rains or when the gritting lorries come out.

Verdict

Another great value lube with greater staying prowess than the dry label suggests

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road.cc test report

Make and model: LifeLine Dry Lube with Teflon 50ml

Size tested: 50ml

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Wiggle says: "LifeLine Dry Lube with Teflon® 50m is the perfect lubricant for dry conditions. The Teflon® based formula lubricates your drivetrain while preventing the build up of dust and dirt".

No argument here, has performed surprisingly well in milder, wetter weather too.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Wiggle says:

Reduces friction for maximum efficiency

Teflon® based formula helps prevent the build up of dust and dirt

Prevents ingress of water

Suitable for road and off road cycling

Lifeline dry lube has been developed for use on all bicycle chains in damp or dry conditions."

Lubricant is applied wet and cures to form a protective film.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Goes on like a wet lube but dries really clean – minimal mess or wastage.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Impressive for a dry conditions lube, especially compared with some costing considerably more.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Has stayed put and remained very clean, even on some decidedly damp, mucky rides.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Perfect for the wedge pack. I'd spend a quid extra and buy the 100ml for home, though.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Aside from ensuring recipient chains are cleaned in solvent first, it's literally lube, wait a few minutes and go.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Perhaps I'm getting tighter with advancing years but the 100ml version represents better value.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Ultimately, I struggle to find something bad to say about this lube. Its nice to apply, low friction, clean running and isn't easily washed away.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Pretty much everything.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing considering the design brief.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely, but the 100ml version.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Definitely

Use this box to explain your score

Dependable fair-to-moist weather prep for general riding.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 1m 81cm  Weight: 70kg

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mountain bike frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

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2 comments

Avatar
mike the bike | 8 years ago
0 likes

I'm with you Mr Peowpeowpeowmissed!  No oil is worth more than beer, never mind nearly ten times the price.

Avatar
Peowpeowpeowlasers | 8 years ago
0 likes

£2.50 for 50ml of oil is "great value"? And I thought fully synthetic Mobil 1 was expensive!

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