Bicycle Mechanics - what Grease

I know this has probably been discussed here many many times, but I get an error when I try and search the forums for info. White Grease or Green marine type? I mean just for general use...stem, seat post bolts etc...

White Lithium

Phil Wood grease for me.

I know this has probably been discussed here many many times, but I get an error when I try and search the forums for info. White Grease or Green marine type? I mean just for general use...stem, seat post bolts etc...Green marine is just fine, as it's composition is suspiciously like that of Phil Wood or Park grease.

You do not need expensive grease for the applications you described. Just go down to any auto parts store and pick up a can of white or black (which ever is the cheapest) all purpose grease for about $2.

I've been using the green marine at home lately and liking it a lot... seems especially good for wheelbearings and the like. At work we typically used White Lithium or this dark amber jelly looking stuff that Schwinn sends us. Looks nasty when it mixes with our neon green Spindoctor lithium...

While I'm at it, anyone know why Phil Wood designates his grease as "waterproof"? Isn't all grease water proof????

I know this has probably been discussed here many many times, but I get an error when I try and search the forums for info. White Grease or Green marine type? I mean just for general use...stem, seat post bolts etc...

I'd go for the white lithium grease, packaged for bicycles. Not because it's better, but only because it's easier to dispense and handle. Price per pound, it is more expensive than a 1 lb tub of general automotive type grease, and general automotive grease will work just as well for your applications. A 1 lb tub will probably last you a lifetime for your own bicycle maintenance. A smaller squeeze tube will last many years, but will be easier to handle. A tub requires you to dip an applicator (like your fingers) and gets messy and could be wasteful. Squirting out what you need onto the exact area has a certain elegance.

Squirting out what you need onto the exact area has a certain elegance.

And then you have to spread it with your fingers :rolleyes:

$1.00 small paint brush + $2.86 tub of marine bearing grease = 0 mess

While I'm at it, anyone know why Phil Wood designates his grease as "waterproof"? Isn't all grease water proof????

It's probably just plain marine grease but it comes in a nice purdy Celeste colored tube that matches my Bianchi so well. :D

Since grease is basically oil and a thickener I guess it's possible you could use a thickener that disolved in water or absorbed water. I doubt it would be easy to come across in a bike or car shop though.

Just get some cheap generic grease and use the money you save to get a small grease gun, they are pretty usefull.

I know this has probably been discussed here many many times, but I get an error when I try and search the forums for info. White Grease or Green marine type? I mean just for general use...stem, seat post bolts etc...

For my own use I like to keep 2 greases on hand. A heavy marine grease for bearings and a light grease for cables and other sliding surfaces.

I figure a marine grease will do a better job resisting contamination and washout from water and a light engine assembly grease will be better than oil where it has to cling. Marine grease is available at boat shops and sometimes auto parts stores. Engine assembly grease is available at nicer auto parts stores.

Phil Wood is repackaged marine grease so if you want conveniently sized packages it is a good choice. I have a tube of green Phil grease in the tool box I take to rides and races.