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review
Lubrication
Brunox Top Kett Chain OilBrunox-Top-Kett-new-packaging

Brunox Top Kett Chain Oil

9
by rob_simmonds
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Nov 20, 2011

6
£4.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Superb chain lube at a superb price too
Weight: 
107g
Contact: 
www.brunox.co.uk
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Brunox Top Kett is a Swiss made lube and it's about as good as it gets. Shame about the pump dispenser though.

As a road.cc tester I'm used to recieving reproachful e-mails from the testing database reminding me that my review for product X is overdue. I've lost count of how many e-mails I've had regarding the Top Kett lube but that's tough, since I've only had to apply it twice since I first took delivery. Which was back in August.

The omens weren't good, it's a thin spray-on lube and I don't have a high opinion of thin lubes. Previous experience said that it would be the kind of delicate rubbish that evaporated after a harsh look, never mind a muddy hundred miler. I was wrong.

Applying the stuff isn't easy. It comes in a spray can, but it's the pump action kind so keeping the can levelled at your chain while pumping the nozzle is a trying experience best undertaken with a thick wad of kitchen roll behind the chain. The thin white lube covers everything really easily, so your aim doesn't have to be spot on. It's not the most efficient method of application and a pressurised spray can would make life much easier.

Brunox don't give much away but they make lube and anti-corrosion products for more intense applications than just bike chains and whatever goes into the Top Kett lube, it's serious stuff. Having squirted it onto a clean chain I waited a whole 520 miles before chickening out and applying some more. Usually what happens when a lube stops working is that your chain starts to squeak, rust spots appear and shifting performance drops off. None of that happened, I just got cold feet that a thin lube could last so long. When it came to cleaning off the first application my chain was remarkably free from grot and filth. You would be forgiven for expecting this from a dry lube, after all that's what they are famous for. What they aren't renowned for is longevity. Getting both from one lube is a real bonus. The second application survived some pretty foul weather, the Dartmoor Devil audax (muddy, grim) and is just running dry after over 300 miles. That's really quite remarkable.

If you can cope with the faffy delivery method then this is a cracking lube for all conditions. Despite my initial preconceptions I'm impressed.

Verdict

Top Kett!

The indisputable leader of the gang.

He's the boss, he's a pip, he's the championship.

(have you been sniffing this stuff? - ed)

He's the most tip top,

Top Kett!

road.cc test report

Make and model: Brunox Top Kett chain oil

Size tested: 125ml

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?

Blurb says - "Brunox Top-kett is a high-tec-lubricant for chains, gears and all moving parts. It has a relatively high viscosity forming an even, non-hardening, compact anti-corrosion and lubrication film with 100% coverage especially around edges with up to 3 times longer between lubrications."

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

Sounds great, buggered if I know what any of it means:- "Physical properties:

Film thickness: 5-10 my

Expected coverage: 40 m2/l at 5 my, 20 m2/l at 10 my

Guaranteed lubrication effect: up to -41 C

Heat resistance: up to 150 C short time, up to 100 C permanent"

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

Superb, even in filthy winter conditions.

Rate the product for durability:
 
10/10

Brilliant by any standards, quite extraordinary for a thin spray-on lube.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Modestly priced and a can will last you for ages, even with the wasteful application method.

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

As good as it gets.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Lasts for absolutely ages and doesn't cover your chain with foul cack.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Squirty can application is a pain, but one application will last you for a month or more.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, when this can runs out in 2013.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yup

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Superb heavy-duty light lube. Only loses a point because of the wasteful and fiddly applicator.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 5' 8  Weight: er....85kg

I usually ride: Kona Dew Drop, Dawes Century SE, Carlton Corsa  My best bike is: Guess SC1 scandium

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: time trialling, commuting, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, Audax and long distance solo rides

 

Brunox Top Kett Chain Oil
Brunox

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6 comments

Avatar
0range5 | 12 years ago
0 likes

I've been told by Brunox that only the pump version has been discontinued. The same lube is available in a 100ml aerosol. I've used that & mostly agree with the test above. It's not absolutely the best I've used but almost. I like good wax lube as the chain stays even cleaner & some last for as long or longer between applications. This stuff is cheaper though. Also like Green-Oil, they do some great stuff.

Avatar
nick_rearden | 13 years ago
0 likes

Just spoke to the mechanic at the very fine York Cycleworks on 01904 626664 who says they stock Brunox although it doesn't appear to be listed on their webshop.

Avatar
anyuser | 13 years ago
0 likes

None at brunox.co.uk; biketechs.co.uk have now delisted it; CRC have also delisted it and rosebikes charge £5.05 for shipping so not cheap.

Avatar
Rob Simmonds replied to anyuser | 13 years ago
0 likes
anyuser wrote:

None at brunox.co.uk; biketechs.co.uk have now delisted it; CRC have also delisted it and rosebikes charge £5.05 for shipping so not cheap.

£5 shipping? Ouch! 13

Hmmm, it's a bit odd that Brunox would send us a load of stuff to test if it's not easily available. I'll see if we can find out what's going on... 39

Avatar
Rob Simmonds | 13 years ago
0 likes

Brunox do a whole load of stuff but I've only tested this one.

These guys have it - http://www.biketechs.co.uk/brunox-top-kett-chain-lube

so do

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/brunox-high-tec-chain-spray-top-kett/...

Avatar
turnerc99 | 13 years ago
0 likes

This doesn't seem to be available anymore - is it the same or similar stuff as any of the other lubes on the Brunox website?

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