Bicycle Mechanics - Regreasing Campy Ultra Torque Bearings

Time for my 3000 mile UT maintenance. What type of degreaser can I use to remove the old grease before using new grease (without pulling the bearings)? I am concerned about damaging the finish on my Record crank arms. Also concerned that the degreaser not remain behind and adversely affect the new grease. Any knowledgeable (;)) suggestions appreciated.

Finish Line's "Clean Streak" would be one option. However, wear chemical-resistant gloves and eye/face protection, and arrange for good ventilation... it's not the sort of stuff you want unnecessary exposure to.

If you use kerosine or mineral spirits as the degreaser, damage to the crank's finish won't be an issue and the residue will totally evaporate.

The citrus-based degreasers are seen as more "green", but since you run them down the drain in contaminated form, they aren't harmless. You can discard kerosine or petroleum-based solvents with used motor oil and it will be recycled.

I pulled the cranks at 3k and was amazed that the grease was still plentiful and clean. I don't ride in wet or dusty conditions however. I decided to not touch the grease and reinstalled. Will pull in a week or so and check again now that I have put another couple thousand miles on them.

Thanks for all the feedback! I think I will go with odorless mineral spirits as it evaporates quicker than kerosene. After 2000K mine were okay. Just added a bit of grease and reinstalled. Now at 5000K and need to degrease and regrease. I will do that tomorrow.

WOW! Five million miles!? :lol:

WOW! Five million miles!? :lol:
Well, everyone's always told me Campy stuff is durable. :)

Well, everyone's always told me Campy stuff is durable. :)

Just don't expose those carbon UltraTorque crankarms to direct sunlight... :lol:



(seriously, read the product documentation for a carbon UT crankset. no mention of whether moonlight harms them, however.)

Well, the altitude and thin air up here makes it easier to pedal, so a few million miles is not a problem. It does, however, increase the possibility of exploding carbon fibre parts due to increase IR and UV!!!!!!!! :o:lol:

p.s. The instructions really do say that! Guess Campy wants us all to ride in the dark.

I've heard of altitude training, but I didn't quite realize it meant that :lol:

Just don't expose those carbon UltraTorque crankarms to direct sunlight... :lol:


gamma radiation, no prob.

http://www.surosa.co.uk/images/camp_cen_chainset_02.jpg

I've heard of altitude training, but I didn't quite realize it meant that :lol:
Oh yeah. And I average about 32 mph on every ride! Well at least the ones with a 32 mph tailwind.
But back to the topic at hand. Will try the degreaser after my ride tomorrow (which wil be late as the low here tonight will be 34F).

gamma radiation, no prob.

http://www.surosa.co.uk/images/camp_cen_chainset_02.jpg

Ah yes, the daylight-hours UltraTorque model :thumb:

Ah yes, the daylight-hours UltraTorque model :thumb:
:lol::roflmao2::lol::thumb:

Bike ride will be a bit later than planned. It was 30 degrees here at 6 am!

Mineral spirits worked like a charm! Thanks again.

How did the lube look after 3k? Was there still a sufficient packing of it?

Yes there was plenty of grease in there. I had taken them off at 2000 miles to examine them and at that time put in some Phil Wood bearing grease which is dark green, so the color of the grease at this 5000 mile (since new) maintenance is not indicative of grease condition. Be advised, however, that the bike has never been ridden in the rain. A bit of dust on the roads around here, however.