Dry Wax vs TF2 Plus+ Dry

A little while back Weldtite sent me over some Dry Wax and TF2 Plus+ Dry to test.  With the fine and warm weather we were having at that time as we were actually having a summer, the products never got fully tested in extreme conditions.

But eventually the weather let me test in the wet as well.

Dry Wax and TF2 Plus+ Dry

First thing that is blatantly obvious is they are two very different products.  One being a wax based lubricant and the other is Teflon based (more your usual lube). So what would be the different uses? Best conditions of use?

So first I tested using the Dry Wax on both road and MTBikes, after giving the drive train a good clean I applied the wax and set to using the bikes. The wax worked amazingly well on the road bike lasting extremely well.  The wax gives the drive chain a good protective layer which copes well with dry and wet road conditions.  However, I found the wax does wear off the quickly when used on the MTBike due to the grit, dust and mud.

The Teflon based dry lube is excellent at shedding water from those sudden and unexpected showers when out on the road or MTBike, this reduces the chances of grit and dust sticking to the drive train.  This made it a better choice for the MTBike, whilst I used the wax road bike right up until the weather finally turned wet.

I found both products great, but have a different uses. I also found using them in combination applying the wax first and then Teflon as the outer coat worked very well to increase the protection given to the drive train even in the current very wet and muddy conditions.

The only real con with the wax is the drive train needs to be extremely clean before applying it, otherwise it doesn't adhere to the chain well.

Both products are great and will compliment your toolbox well.

Weldtite TF2 a full report

Well as part of the official test team I have been given the TF2 All weather lubricant to test and I have been doing exactly that.  For a little over a month I have used it in dry and slightly dusty conditions to wet sodden conditions with trails running like streams.  It has been used on my SS MTB's, my CX and my roadie, and it is safe to say I really like it.  I also ensured I considered everything from application to performance.

One of the many sprockets the TF2 has been protecting.

There are a couple of other brands I have used and even compared directly with the TF2 as I still have some laying around and these comparisons were the real eye opener.

The TF2 is easy to apply, the consistency of it allows you to get it on the chain easily, work it in to the links and wipe off what little excess there is.  With some other lubes I find myself cleaning the rim, chain stay and wiping the excess off many times.   The long application lid makes it easy to get into jockey wheels and other places without covering everything in lube.

Some of the trails I have ridden on in the last month have quite a bit of grit on them and after a few k's riding (particularly the SS) you get that familiar grinding sound.  With the TF2 this seem to take a lot longer to occur. i.e. the grit isn't sticking to a gloopy lube on your chain.  After my first ride with TF2 in the wet I was surprised by this and checked that my chain was indeed lubricated properly and it was, it just didn't attract as much rubbish.

In the dry and the wet, TF2 just works and I have to admitted to being a little surprised about the difference when I did a back to back test on the same loop on the same bike in the same conditions.  First using TF2 on a sodden trail ride I returned and the chain had not collected as much mud and grit as it would on the next ride using another leading brand.  I had ensured I cleaned the and lube the chain appropriately between each ride to give a balanced test.  The other leading brand lube, collected more rubbish than TF2, not huge amounts, but it was noticeable even without inspecting the chain.  This of course has the adverse affect that we use lubricants for, so we really want to reduce this as much as we can, TF2 does and keeps the chain lubed.

In a test with another brand, which I was using when I received the TF2.  The other brand works as well once applied and even helps clean things up a bit, it does go everywhere due to its viscosity and requires a few passes with a dry cloth to clean off excess.  TF2 did not and this also meant less TF2 was used.

Pros:
So TF2 is easy to apply, not messy and doesn't leave excess on the chain, it keeps the chain lubricated in a variety of riding conditions and is not a magnet for crude and grit.

Cons:
I should ideally find something in this area as well, but I have to say I can't. I guess some lubricants work others don't and some work better than most.

Weldtite TF2

I am still in the process of testing the TF2 lube from Weldtite and will write a full review shortly.  But in a recent back to back test with another leading product on the same trails in the same conditions on the same bike setup one thing was assured.

The TF2 does not collect anywhere near as much trail grit and grim as the other product.  It is such a stark difference I was surprised.

TF2 All Weather just works.  Full report coming soon.