Finish Line Anti-Seize Assembly Lube

I like to try new bikes and parts, but I am also looking to find the best materials to assemble parts together. I have had many kinds of grease and lubes, but I had never used copper anti-seize before this year. Often used on bolts or for some parts' assembly on titanium frames, the Finish Line anti-seize works well in press-fit interfaces and might even be better than grease.

Some greases tend to lose their properties with time. They dry out, and some can be pushed out when pressing a headset or press-fit bottom bracket if their consistency isn't good. With its copper micro-flakes mix, the Anti-seize assembly lube stays in place, and still acts like a lubricant over time. It is also used in the automotive world, and often comes on high-end bike parts' bolt threads.

I used the copper-based assembly lube while pressing my Wolf Tooth headset and Hope press-fit bottom bracket in my new frame. Grease would have done the job, but I wanted the best stuff for this new bike. The good thing with the assembly lube is that when you want to remove your BB or headset in 5 years and transfer them to another bike, the lube will still do its job : making sure that your component isn't welded by corrosion and will make it easier to press out your part. Some high-end companies like Chris King also recommend using copper anti-seize to install their press-fit bottom brackets.

I have used the small Finish Line packs to install my bottom bracket and the Permatex branded product for the headset. Both products looked and felt pretty much the same, so if you can't find the Finish Line products, it might be easier to find the Permatex anti-seize. Park also make an aluminium-based anti-seize but I've read that the copper compound is more versatile and can be used with pretty much any metal that can be found on a bike. The Finish Line product can be bought in small sachets or in a small bottle with and included brush applicator.