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Shimano versus Finish Line Mineral Oil

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#21 ·
Cleared2land said:
You're just uninformed about compatibility.

I have often thought Shimano brake fluid is simply rebranded MIL-PRF-5606H avaiation mineral oil hydraulic fluid. It's the same color of red and is used in mineral oil aircraft brakes (that use 5606 and not Skydrol).
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It's used for the entire hydraulic system. But my jug of Shimano oil doesn't have the distinctive 5606 smell.
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
Harold said:
As for the trouble after using the Finish Line stuff, the only thing I can figure is that the bleeds were not perfect. Maybe there's an ever-so-subtle difference in viscosity that allows air bubbles to remain suspended in the Finish Line stuff and "hide" from you during a bleed.
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Those are the only things I can come up with. Since going back to Shimano's oil, issue hasn't come up again. So, either a fluke of repeated bad bleeds, or maybe viscosity differences requiring a little more attention to bleed detail.
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
HerrKaLeun said:
So you must have consciously purchased the Finish Line product over shimano? Was it cheaper? The shimano oil isn't that expensive to make experiments worthwhile.
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Cost is insignificant, and had no bearing on the decision. As I mentioned, I needed brake oil and went to several LBS's... none of which had, or would sell from their bulk, Shimano's mineral oil. So, I simply bought what was available. Partly because I didn't want to wait for an online order (had rides planned), and partly because I wanted to support my local LBS.
 
#25 ·
Since switching to the car branded stuff I've had no issues. Much cheaper and easier to get if I need it fast.

Mineral - Pentosin CHF 7.1 which is now Febi Bilstein CHF 7.1
DOT - Motul DOT 5.1

Never had issues with the Motul degrading after opening. I've had one bottle for over a year and have bled multiple Guides and Hayes brakes with it.
 
#27 ·
J.B. Weld said:
What sort of issues did you have with Shimano mineral oil?
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None. I just switched because it was cheaper and easier to buy. I just meant that since switching I haven't found any problems with the brakes.

I had run into issues before where bike shop had plenty of mineral oil but not in retail packaging.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
 
#28 ·
Pushes up glasses...

Actually mineral oil isn't mineral oil as you can hop on down to a CVS, a Walgreen's, or god help ya a Walmart and get 'mineral oil' and slap that in your brakes but that very likely isn't quite the same thing as repackaged or relabeled stuff for bikes or what you find in certain types of cars.

I reckon a better way to put it is that some things labeled as mineral oil shouldn't be used in your brakes but there is a subset of things labeled as mineral oil that can be used in your brakes either as officially sanctioned (Shimano, Magura Royal Blood, Formula, etc) or anecdotally recognized to not cause destruction and mayhem as a result of using said devil liquids in hydraulic brakes on bicycles and otherwise.
 
#29 ·
My bicycle doesn't have power steering so I won't bother discussing power steering fluid in a MTB thread. LOL

I switched to Finish Line when there wasn't a retail bottle of Shimano available when I was at the shop 4/2018.
Looks like I've covered about 1900 miles since then with a couple bleeds and sets of pads.

I did flush out the fluid from end to end the day I used it (front and rear).

Brakes seemed to work perfectly the day I rode after the install/bleed so I guess I can't complain. I haven't used Shimano oil since (haven't run out of fluid yet) so I can't say how the changes are back to back aside from the one day.
I'm not endorsing Finish Line because I think their chain lube is a waste of a plastic bottle (even when not use for brakes but rather for chains).
The brake fluid is probably a crappy chain lube but seems fine in my Shimano M615 brakes.
 
#35 ·
I sent back the Finish Line DOT and since the smaller bottles are out of stock everywhere I looked, I but the bullet on the liter. So since I'm over 50, I'm pretty much set for life on brake bleeds.
 
#36 ·
The liter jug from Shimano is a no brainer. I've had a jug of it for about 10 or 11 years now.

Funny, when I bought it, I ordered through a shop that I had worked at previously...to support it. The owner, who was my manager when I worked there, actually chastised me for buying such a large jug. I told him I could spend 10 bucks on two brakes worth, or 20 bucks on as many brakes as I'll ever have. Needless to say, that was the last time I bought anything, or even spoke highly of that douche-bags shop.
 
#37 ·
fredcook said:
I have always stuck to using Shimano's mineral oil in my Shimano brakes. But a little while back, I shortened a hose on one of the bikes, and realized I was out of mineral oil. Actually, I "forgot" I was out. It's so seldom that I ever need to bleed the Shimano's, I just don't watch my mineral oil inventory. After hitting up 5 of the closest LBS's just to find out NONE of them had Shimano mineral oil on hand, I decided to just grab a bottle of Finish Line mineral oil. Finish Line's oil is almost clear, versus Shimano's red oil. Not that color matters, really, but my OCDness made me flush the new oil through until it was all clear. Everything worked fine... same power, same (nice) lack of modulation, tight crisp feel. The only thing is, I've had to repeatedly bleed that brake every couple of weeks since then. It would gradually get spongy. But everything would be fine again after every bleed. I assumed that, some how, something happened to now constantly allow air to get in as a result of my hose shortening. I've shortened many hoses. This was the first time I've experienced this. I finally ran out of the Finish Line oil, and went back to Shimano's oil. That was nearly two months ago. Interestingly, the brake no longer needs to be bled. At this point, the only thing I can assume, is the issue was due to the different oil.

As anyone had an experience like this between Shimano and Finish Line (or any other brand) mineral oil? I didn't see any moisture contamination. Maybe mineral oil isn't as consistent as DOT brake fluid?

Anyway, I picked up a liter of Shimano's oil... now I'm good for two or three lifetimes...
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I have Tektro Hydraulic Brakes on my ICE trike. They insist on using only their brand. It's expensive and hard to find. I've also had to add more as the season progresses. It's been like that since I purchased the trike. I thought it was just normal. Mind you, I use the trike year round here in S. Manitoba Canada and it sits outside year round. I've heard of others that never have issues. So this time round I'm going to use Finish Line Mineral Oil instead. Maybe it might make a difference. Only time will tell. I keep hearing people say "Don't do that." But I've heard other say, it works great. So in the interest of science.... :)
 
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Cleared2land
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