B'Twin Wet weather lubricant

B'Twin wet lubricant is designed to resist the worst that winter can hurl at us and has me questioning whether it's worth shelling out for more exotic foul weather preps. It's UK-made and comprises water-repelling synthetic oils that seep deep into the links and remain firmly ensconced.

Unlike its Teflon cousin, lower viscosity means the oil flows more predictably from the spout, so there's minimal clean up and scant chance of it adorning floors and/or rear wheels.

Spinning the cranks rewards with a refined, squeak banishing serenity pretty much instantly, although derailleur transmissions feel decidedly friskier fed a diet of dry ceramics or PTFE fortified formulas. Thankfully any sensations of stodginess are forgotten within the first couple of miles.

Wet coastal roads are more than capable of dismissing semi-synthetic motor oils within in a matter of hours. Scenic routes through flooded causeways haven't presented any problems, ditto boggy bridle path or long grass.

As you'd expect, mixed terrain jaunts quickly saw side-plates, jockey wheels and cages accumulating that familiar sludgy residue. Wiping these weekly seems sufficient. Everyday asphalt adventures revealed remarkably little contaminant. We've cruised past 230 miles on a single application and I can well believe 500+ given a long dry summer.

Experience suggests ceramics will run slightly cleaner and last longer but they are at least three times the asking price. Salt strewn, slushy winter conditions may reveal some weaknesses, though right now and compared with traditional wet types, I'm struggling to find fault.

Verdict

Surprisingly good lube at a bargain price