Finish Line Dry Lube

Finish Line Dry is a syrupy synthetic oil designed to evenly lube your chain. This lube is apparently formulated for dry riding conditions, but "dry" is a subjective word. On many parts of the planet, dry means it hasn't rained since last night. In parts of the western USA, dry conditions can mean that it hasn't rained in a few months. This is where I live and local rides are dusty with summertime temps rising into the triple digits.

My primary chain lube has been a wax based product and I have few complaints about it. I like the zero maintenance aspect. I can apply and re-apply without cleaning in between. The wax does not build up on the chain and dirt does not collect on the thin wax coating. I was expecting a similar shedding experience with this product. It is the huge word "DRY" on the label which led to that expectation. 

This product goes on thicker than wax based products and does not fully evaporate - see photo below of both products after evaporation. This leaves a slightly goopy coating on the chain which attracts dirt. As dirt collects on the chain, you will need to clean it before re-applying. The good news is that this also leads to a more waterproof lube. This lube can withstand creek crossings and loamy sink holes better than wax products which get creaky quickly after a good dousing. In smaller words on the front of the label it also says, "bike chains: all riding conditions." So while I wouldn't call this product dry like the large words in the product name, I would agree that it is good for all riding conditions as stated and might work for dry conditions in most other climates. 

The magic ingredient in this is Teflon which is the brand name for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It is a super slippery molecule that can make your pancakes glide out of the pan and also keep your chain silent. Teflon accumulates in the environment which means it does not breakdown... ever. With that in mind, it probably should not be dripping off your chain into creeks and onto tree roots so I find myself questioning the wisdom of using this for mountain biking.