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review

GT85 Bike Dry Lube

6
£5.99

VERDICT:

6
10
Decent dry chain lube, but it's a bit messy to apply
Weight: 
94g

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GT85 might be best known for its ubiquitous Teflon spray, but this polytetrafluoroethylene (aka PTFE aka Teflon) based Dry Lube is a worthy addition to any bike shed or tool box when to it comes to keeping the chain moving smoothly and quietly.

Dry lubes are ideal in dry weather as they leave the chain looking clean and don't attract dirt and grime like a wet lube does. The GT85 Bike Dry Lube is easy to apply, with a screw top that lets you adjust the flow rate. It penetrates well into the links of the chain, but it's best to apply it slowly to each chain link - it can flow too quickly and you'll need a rag to hand to mop up the excess that will drip onto the rear wheel and floor.

It's best to not apply dry lube immediately before a ride. You want to do it a few hours before so it has time to dry as dry lube works by forming a protective barrier over the chain. Over several weeks continuous use, on my road bike and also my cyclocross and mountain bikes, it has kept the chains working quietly and smoothly. For best results, the company recommends starting with a clean and dry chain, as you want to when applying any lube really. Do that, and you'll have an efficient and quiet drivetrain.

Dry lube doesn't tend to last as long as a heavier wet lube, and that was true of this GT85 Dry Lube. Determining the exact longevity of a dry lube is a tricky business, but based on the sound of my chain at the end of the Paris-Roubaix 175km sportive last month, following two days of riding in the week before, I say this one is good for about 200 miles. That's a reasonable duration, and for most people will mean reapplication just once a week.

A dry lube is best kept for dry weather; rain and splashing through puddles will shorten its lifespan considerably. That was the case with this lube. A spin in the rain recently proved its undoing and the chain was emitting that oh-so-annoying squeak.

Based on a once a week lubing schedule, the 80ml bottle size should last a good while and at £5.99, it's reasonably priced. But then you look at the excellent Lifeline Dry Lube with Teflon which is just £2.50 for a 50ml bottle, and suddenly the GT85 Dry Lube looks a little overpriced.

Verdict

Decent dry chain lube, but it's a bit messy to apply

road.cc test report

Make and model: GT85 Bike Dry Lube

Size tested: 80ml

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?

A high performance lubricant designed for use on bicycle chains and drivetrains in dry and dusty conditions. It penetrates rapidly into links before the solvent

evaporates leaving a thin lubricating film. This formula contains PTFE which helps to reduce friction and provide smoother gear shifting.

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

*Contains PTFE for reduced friction

*Increases drivetrain efficiency

*Penetrates rapidly into chain links, protecting all surfaces

*Extreme pressure and anti-wear additives prolong component life

*Helps protect against corrosion

*Twist cap for variation on flow for a more precise application

*Characteristic GT85 fragrance

*Fast drying

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

It's good for about 200-miles of dry weather cycling

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

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

It works well and provides a very quiet chain

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Keeps the chain quiet and clean

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

But it's not that easy to apply without making a mess

Did you enjoy using the product? Mostly

Would you consider buying the product? Maybe

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly

Use this box to explain your score

A good quality dry lube but in a crowded market there are lots of choices and you can certainly spend less for the equivalent performance

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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