GT85 vs Finish Line Dry Lube Spray?

master_grunthos

Are these effectively the same thing?

I'm trialing differently lubrication methods after some very disappointing wear rates on Campag Veloce cassettes and Chainrings, even with regular early chain replacement. I was previously using bottled finish line dry in the summer and wet in the winter on my commuter/audax bike. At present I'm trying just GT85 with very regular application, especially when it's wet to try to keep the drive train clean. If it works out i'll stick with it, if not then i'll end up with premature component replacement, i can live with that and then i'll change my regime

I've seen the regular debates about GT85 and WD40 but since the debate goes both ways I'm going to just try it for a while, it's not exactly a scientific study but it's the best i can do for the money and effort. It isn't much effort.

The question I'm asking is just what I said above, is GT85 effectively the same as Finishline Dry lube spray? The FL spray definitely claims to be a chain lube but the GT85 isn't so definite on the subject (though the bottle does feature images of chains). The key thing is that GT85 is cheaper and more readily available.

So far so good. The GT85 is good and clean with regular application and wiping, it's easy to apply evenly too. I know there's more to it than this as it's the internal lube that's the key to the chain life but chains to me are meant to wear and i'd rather waste my chain over the cassette etc, especially at Campag prices.

Cheers

softlad

if I remember correctly, Peugeot's pro MTB team used GT85 on their transmissions in the late 80s and early 90s. In my own experience, it works fine as a lube, as does WD40.

Others will disagree, inevitably...

simon_e

I found GT85 to be an effective lube for commuting in dry weather. If a decent amount is applied the night before the propellant would have evaporated by the morning, and I found my chain picked up suprisingly little dirt or dust. I haven't used it as a chain lube in a while but may switch back when I replace my current chain, provided the weather isn't too wet (as it was last summer).

Suck it and see, I'd say. Even if you stop using GT85 on your chain it's cheap and is great for locks, squeaky door hinges and all manner of things.

Monty Dog

GT85 is great for cleaning a chain and freeing up seized parts - but it is not a lube - it only contains a small amount of mineral oil.

Anonymous

Dry lube only lasts five mins, but I guess thats cause it's called dry lube, as in for the dry, and if using it in the wet I guess chain needs to be lubed every ride.

softlad

Monty Dog wrote:

but it is not a lube - it only contains a small amount of mineral oil.

so what purpose does the oil serve, if not to lubricate...?

John.T

softlad wrote:

Monty Dog wrote:

but it is not a lube - it only contains a small amount of mineral oil.

so what purpose does the oil serve, if not to lubricate...?

He did say a small amount.
I have been using FL drylube for several years and get about 4000 miles from a chain in winter and I have just replaced one on my summer bike after over 4 years. It is so long I can not remember.
Will. Lube does not have to be wet to work. A teflon coating will keep the metal parts from rubbing which is what all lubes do. It does leave a small amount of black 'muck' on the rings but it does not seem to do any harm. Far more 'cr*p' seems to stick to oil.

dilemna

I used GT85 regularly up until recently after last cold spell when I noticed the middle ring of my Campag Record Chainset had lost it's alloy coat on the middle chain ring revealing the steel underneath. First time I ever saw this happen. Yet I was cleaning off salt and crud frequently throughout the winter and reapplying fresh GT85 normally once a weeek sometimes every other day ready for the 30 miles commute mext day. Whether the chain ring losing it's alloy coat is down to the GT85 or concentrated salt or a combi of both or just poor Campag quality I don't know. It is a fairly new 10 speed Record triple chainset so top quality you would have thought. My Shimano Ultegra triple hasn't suffered the same.

So now I have switched to White Lightening clean ride Wax Lube self cleaning which is considerably more expensive than GT85. Hope this stuff is better and kinder to the components. Time will tell. I can't afford to lose anymore chain rings. White Lightning always seems to be in most decent bike shops. When switiching to WL I took the chain off (HG93) fully degreased it and then applied loads of the wax. Hung the chain up with container beneath to catch the surplus and kept applying over a period of hours as it dried to build up the wax. Chain now back on and seems to flow pretty nicely but does look 'dry' after about 50 miles unlike GT85 which had an oily look. Not sure what to use really. I never used WD40 as I understood that it can act as a cutting agent.

What do other people use?

softlad

dilemna wrote:

I never used WD40 as I understood that it can act as a cutting agent.

what do you mean by a 'cutting agent'...?? It's just a light lube in a carrier solvent, much like GT85..

John.T

It has so little lubricant in itthat it can not stand any real load. It's prime purpose is as a water dispeller. It can also be used as a freeing agent but proper ones are better. I use it after washing the chain and gears and then use a proper lube when it has evaporated

dilemna

softlad wrote:

dilemna wrote:

I never used WD40 as I understood that it can act as a cutting agent.

what do you mean by a 'cutting agent'...?? It's just a light lube in a carrier solvent, much like GT85..

Yes a cutting agent. It's pretty thin. GT85 has PTFE in it WD40 doesn't as far as I know. Not going into the garage now. I used to use it years ago when there was little else except 3 in1 oil and it was good but I can remember the chainset and jockey wheels wore pretty quick. Now this was sometime ago so perhaps durability of components have improved. Still wouldn't use it as lubricant on a chain though. To free seized stuff maybe or expel water/damp. It was great for old cars where water or damp had got into the ignition circuit or inside the distributor cap eg a Mini. It expels water see. It was also great for squirting directly into the bores as well as it not only expels moisture but is also highly flammable. Still wouldn't use it on a bicycle chain.

So what do you think of White Lightning wax lube? Ever used it?

John.T

A cutting agent is actually used by machineists for cooling lathe tools etc. It is constantly flowing over the work and does actually have some lubrcating properties. Still would not use it for chains though.

softlad

cutting 'fluid' I think - not agent.

This argument will never be resolved. Some (like me) have happily been using stuff like WD40 and GT85 on cycle and motorcycle transmissions for many years with no ill effects or premature wear. Others seem convinced that using it on a chain will bring on some kind of biblical apocalypse....

dilemna

softlad wrote:

cutting 'fluid' I think - not agent.

This argument will never be resolved.

- True

softlad wrote:

Others seem convinced that using it on a chain will bring on some kind of biblical apocalypse....

Really? :? [/quote]

Dirtydog11

WD40

FACT 1
WD 40 stands for Water Displacement 40.

FACT 2
Its primary purpose is, as the full name suggests to displace water.

FACT 3
It was not designed to be a lube.

FACT 4
There are other products out there specifically designed for the purpose of lubricating.




GT85

Was designed as a lubricant thats why it contains PTFE there's no other reason for it being in there (WD40 doesn't). It is described as ..........................Non-sticky Lubrication, Effective Penetrator, Water Displacer, Rustproofer, With PTFE.

So a general purpose Lube then would be a fair description of GT85.


So the question is why use something that was not designed specifically for the purpose when you can use something that was and more to the point expect it to outperform the specifically designed alternatives??

---

softlad

Dirtydog11 wrote:

So a general purpose Lube then would be a fair description of GT85.


So the question is why use something that was not designed specifically for the purpose when you can use something that was and more to the point expect it to outperform the specifically designed alternatives??

Because in my own experience, it works particualrly well as a chain lube. Ironically, so does WD40, irrespective of the 'fact' that it is not designed as a lube (although 'lubrication' is one of its stated purposes, if you read the tin)..

I have nothing against chain-specific lubes - I just don't think they offer any advantage over GT or WD. I've tried pretty much everything on chains and have always gone back to one of these two...

Kléber

GT85 contains only a little PTFE but Finish Line Dry has a lot more. I have not measured this of course, it is more by observation. GT85 is great for wiping down wet parts of your bike after a rainy day or cleaning, eg spray it on the brake calipers (cover the pads).

The key to drive chain longevity is not lube, it's cleaning. A fine lube is of no use once the chain has attracted grit and dirt, better to use a cheap lube on a chain that is cleaned regularly. Get one of those chain baths and a scrubbing brush and clean/degrease the chain regularly and brush the cassette and chainrings clean.

John.T

+1 Kleber. Better still to use a good lube on a clean chain. It is not exactly dear, maybe £3 a year. As I said earlier I get 2 winters from a chain and usually at least 2 chains with each cassette. That is with regular cleaning, Every ride on partcularly mucky rides, perhaps once a fortnight if the weather is better. You just do it when it needs it then a dose of FL Dry. Works for me.

simon_e

Kléber wrote:

The key to drive chain longevity is not lube, it's cleaning. A fine lube is of no use once the chain has attracted grit and dirt, better to use a cheap lube on a chain that is cleaned regularly. Get one of those chain baths and a scrubbing brush and clean/degrease the chain regularly and brush the cassette and chainrings clean.

I agree with the first part of this paragraph but not the second. A chain bath will allow the degreaser to penetrate further into the chain, robbing it of the grease put in there by the manufacturer, shortening its life. KMC recommend you do not clean your chain this way:

http://www.kmcchain.com/index.php?ln=en&fn=service

Returning to GT85 (as I have done happily this week), others may have found it lacking but I commuted on my MTB with a weekly application 12 miles a day for 2 years and my chain was smooth, quiet and lasted very well. I think the fact that it didn't pick up so much grinding crud helped. A weekly wipe with a rag then a squirt of GT85 will do the trick.

To the OP - give it a try, it can't hurt.

Pokerface

Is the consensus that a chain bath with degreaser is BAD? Might explain why my chains seem to wear out quite regularly. Or it might me my enormous power. LOL

dennisn

Pokerface wrote:

Is the consensus that a chain bath with degreaser is BAD? Might explain why my chains seem to wear out quite regularly. Or it might me my enormous power. LOL

FWIW I haven't "degreased" a chain in years. Once a week run the chain through a clean cloth until the cloth stays fairly clean. Relube with Rock & Roll(wax) and maybe a second lubing during the week. I don't have problems(well, I do, but not drivetrain related). Then again I'm pretty much of a fair weather rider. So that's my story.

Dennis Noward

Pokerface

...and found LOADS of threads on the subject. Now I'm beginning to understand why my chains wear out so quickly and why I am tossing the chain bath and degreaser out when I get home tonight!

Will clean the old fashioned way from now on and do it regularly! (Plus I just replaced the ENTIRE drivetrain - so everything is new and shiny. Want to keep it that way!)