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review
Lubrication
B'Twin Teflon Aerosol LubricantBTwin Teflon Aerosol Lubricant

B'Twin Teflon Aerosol Lubricant

7
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Aug 22, 2015

0
£4.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Another very capable, long lasting, friction busting spray lube
Weight: 
171g
Contact: 
www.decathlon.co.uk/teflon-aerosol-lubricant-id_5182709.html
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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B'Twin Teflon Aerosol Lubricant is a 150ml pannier-friendly general purpose mix that works a treat on the usual suspects: cleats, mechanisms, pivot points, cables and recessed fasteners. It's also produced on these shores and is very similar to Weldtite's TF2 spray tested by yours truly last year.

Yes, we have what appears to be another blend of mineral oil and PTFE additives powered by solvents and, you guessed it, propane! Shaken and applied from 30cm, the super-invasive ingredients reach and cure within 30 seconds, leaving behind a rich honey-coloured, super-slippery surface.

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Unusually, there's no dinky little plug-in straw for precise deployment, although experimenting with other brands' suggests they'll fit. Either way, keep offcuts of card handy when tackling exposed cable runs to avoid messy overspray.

Aside from attracting grimy patinas, these mixtures also soften expensive polymer waxes and similar protectants. Old as the hills, they're not particularly kind to composites either, so minimise contact with the wonder weave, unsealed stickers, suspension and so on.

Generally speaking, traditional freewheels prefer a few drops of liquid refreshment but this one has kept old fashioned six and contemporary single-speed mechanisms, cantilever/V-brake posts and locks sweet for several wet weeks. It also doubles as a convenient grease substitute on cleats, which are largely ignored until wear forces replacement.

Check out our 12 of the best roadside maintenance bike fixes here

A monthly 'while I think of it' shot should keep those little Allen screws mobile. Combined with a torx bit, I've successfully rescued some dreadfully weathered examples that were painfully close to seizure.

Low friction characteristics mimic that of B'Twin's chain and derailleur oil, although this appears a stouter brew. It's easily on par with relatively pricey spray'n'go commuter fare; I've returned 175 miles per single stage, double coat helping in comparable, fair weather contexts.

Talking of mobile, I've found the 150ml version a brilliant pannier companion, enabling instant, on the spot top-ups. Well, almost... Stick to water displacers/maintenance sprays when coaxing blinkies back from the dead '' this seems to block rather than boost electrical connectivity.

Bottom line, it's an old fashioned, long lasting yet strangely versatile mix that does most jobs surprisingly well.

Verdict

Another very capable, long lasting, friction busting spray lube

road.cc test report

Make and model: B'Twin Teflon Aerosol Lubricant

Size tested: Teflon Aerosol Lubricant, 150ml

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?

B'Twin says:

"long-lasting lubrication for your drive train

"Teflon lubricant for greater efficiency"

Good, clean running summer weight chain lube that also works extremely well on most metal on metal surfaces.

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

"DANGER! Extremely flammable aerosol. Pressurised container: may burst if heated. Causes skin irritation. Harmful to aquatic organisms. May cause long-term adverse effects".

PTFE based lubricant spray using solvents and propane.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Generally excellent in all contexts and easily on par with the super-convenient squirt'n'go versions when used on chains. Ironically enough it just has the edge on B'Twin's chain and derailleur oil too.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Clean and convenient but hold some old clean rag beneath the chain to avoid unnecessary mess, use outside/in well ventilated areas and wear latex examination gloves if you suffer from sensitive skin.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Not particularly cheap in comparison with some suspiciously similar formulas, but stays put.

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

Overall, this is another highly competent general purpose lubricant, although there are much better chain-specific options – B'Twin's simple Teflon-based pour-on variety being a budget conscious case in point.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Keeps metal on metal surfaces really slick and silent. Attracts relatively little dirt.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing per se but a little pricey given other brands offer 500ml aerosols for the same money.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes but in a larger, 500ml size.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? As a heavy duty general purpose spray, yes but there are better chain-specific options.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70kg

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega 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

 

B'Twin Teflon Aerosol Lubricant
B'Twin 2015
B'Twin
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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