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JOE'S NO FLATS ECO-NANO DRY LUBE

100ml £6.99

The Joes No Flats Eco-Nano Dry Lube, is apparently the only lubricant, combing Nano technology and eco based materials. Given these claims, the use of PTFE, sparked some debate among the team.

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We’ve found some blends, that have run cleaner and lasted longer. Nonetheless, the Eco-Nano lube, lived up to its hype, in arid, dusty and humid spring/summer contexts.

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Pros: Convenient, low friction lube that delivers in dry, dusty conditions.

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Cons:  PTFE is not the most eco-friendly ingredient.

Science Bit

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Without going overboard, Nano technology basically refers to particles that are small enough to coat surfaces on a molecular level. Therefore, any lubricant, (or cleaner, for that matter) we’d expect to penetrate comprehensively. 

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We’re told the Eco-Nano employs a water-based carrier, which imparts our old, white and waxy friend, PTFE deep into the plates and rollers. Chains are the most obvious recipients. However, these lubes are, similarly effective on cleat/derailleur mechanisms, jockey wheels and cables too. 

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Application

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We all know the drill. Run chains through the solvent bath, filled with your chosen stripper, Dry, as appropriate. Grab some clean rag, then whip bike(s) outside, since its super runny (no worse than competitors, but not what you’d want, on the kitchen lino!)

 

Give the Eco-Nano bottle a brief shake, open the spout and drizzle into each link. Mop up any overspill. Salvaged stuff can be redistributed, to inner cables and mechanisms, as you see appropriate. One major boon is the curing time: 15 minutes, when the mercury’s wandered between 18 and 23 degrees.

 

After the first ride or so, give the outer plates, rings and derailleur cages a very quick cat-lick. The runny nature, especially in warm weather, results in a slightly sticky calling card. No major drama but worth bearing in mind, should your first outing be a commute, or utility run in smart trousers. 

Joe's no flats eco-nano eco nano lube bike bicycle cycle chain oil test review

Performance

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From the first few pedal strokes, drivetrains feel very slick, though gear changes are light and responsive. Judging by my bikes’ chain stays’, fling is minimal too. Cleat entry/exit and braking, similarly precise. I was pleasantly surprised to cruise past the 400mile mark (four weeks) from a single, though fairly-generous application. 

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Even then, chains weren’t parched, although that subtle metal on metal tinkling crept in, over subsequent rides. Nonetheless, 450 miles all told, is pretty good. My fixed gear, cyclo-cross based winter/trainer’s KMC Stainless-steel track unit is a notoriously slippery customer. One that tends to traffic, lubricant from the rollers, to the outer plates. However, I still returned 390 miles. 

Again, though slightly waxier in texture than Finish Line Dry Bike Lube  or Weldtite TF2 Ultra Dry Chain Wax  , cleanliness is level pegging. No call for topping up cables and cleat/similar mechanisms, just yet.  

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Cleanliness 

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Touch with your fingers and the tips will sport a thin, tacky black patina. However, while contaminant has been minimal. TF2 Ultra Dry Wax, Rock ’n’ Roll Absolute Dry and Finish Line dry Bike Lube just pip it, mind. 

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Once saturated, the wax flakes away, before anything grimy, or silty, stands a hope of getting intimate with the chain. 

Same goes for derailleur cages and jockey wheels. I’ve also masked frame ends and other small, electroplated areas with that residual wax. Thus far, no hint of the dreaded orange freckling, or mauled paintwork.

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Damp (and by that, I mean passing summer showers) has made little impression; or dented the mileage per application. Besides, topping up couldn’t be easier. Drizzle in, wipe away and you’re ready to scoot off in a matter of minutes. Perfect for Monday mornings, or summer endurance rides. There is a 30ml wedge pack friendly version, for precisely these contexts but we’d probably buy the 100ml and syphon into a suitable container.

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Conclusion

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Despite some initial scepticism, the Joe’s No Flats Eco-Nano has progressively, won me over. Its clean, stoical, versatile and keeps friction minimal. Kitchen sink alchemists will point out that you can make industrial quantities for pennies, from home, using candle wax and solvents. Maybe so. Compared with off the shelf preps, the Eco-Nano Dry Lube’s competitively priced, and there’s approximately 65ml, still sloshing around in our bottle. 

Verdict: 3.75/5 Competent, versatile and convenient dry lube.

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Michael Stenning

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https://www.cookecomponents.co.uk/product/joes-eco-nano-dry-lube-100ml/

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PUBLISHED JUNE 2018

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