wilber.71

I have my wife's Trek 830 torn down and everything is getting a clean-up and lube. I gave the derailleurs an ultrasonic cleaning and wonder what you all use for lubing the pivot points. In the past I've sprayed mine down with silicone and seemed to have good results. I've only lost one derailleur to pivot point wear. But I'm not familiar with all the new synthetic lubes that are available now. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Walt

Panthers007

I use a drop of TriFlow on each pivot and on the spring. Teflon trumps silicone - IMHO.

cnnrmccloskey

+1 for tri-flow

DRietz

Are you talking about the main pivots that screws/hangs onto the frame and the cage? If so, the springs in those should be overhauled after an ultrasonic cleaning...

scylla

I just use my dry type chain lube> prolink. Seems to stay cleaner that way.

FBinNY 

Any light oil is fine for the pantograph pivots, but the upper and lower bodies need something more substantial. Usually the spring is surrounded with grease which you probably either washed out or contaminated with your ultrasonic cleaning. You need to either dis-assemble and re-lube these parts or try to wick some heavier oil in, possibly diluted with a solvent as a vehicle.

DaveSSS 

If you stuck the whole derailleur in an ultrasonic cleaner, then it needs to be taken completely apart (if it wasn't already). The factory puts grease in the two main pivot areas. The pulley bushings are also greased, by I prefer a frequent application of a good spray lube rather than grease. Any good oil is sufficiennt for the other pivots .

San Rensho 

Oil, any oil, and do it often, don't wait until you going to ultrasound the thing. Every time you wash your bike or have it up in the stand, put a drop on the der pivots and oil the pulley bearings, same with brake pivots. A little oil, often.

wilber.71

Yes, the springs are re-greased. The bike is an attempt at getting my wife out and riding more. She always compained that her old bike was a little too tall, so I rounded up this Trek with a 16.5" frame and am doing a complete overhaul so it'll be ready for spring. Thanks for the responses. I'll give the Tri-Flow a try.

Walt

Chombi

I use "Finish Line" dry wax lubricant that seems to really get into the joints and pivots good on my brake caliper and derailleur pivots because of the light suspension fluid it is in. Really felt the difference before and after I applied the lubricant on my just finished restoration project recently.

Chombi

phantomcow2

Ultrasonic cleaning? Overkill any? I prefer to use a dry lube, like teflon, for derailleurs as not to attract any more dirt and grime. I can see where small amounts of tri-flow would work really well.

DRietz

Actually, using ultrasonic cleaners on bike parts is a phenomenal idea, I just can't afford one to fit my bigger components into.

operator

Yeah that would make our tune-ups awesome. Instead of just cleaning the bike you also do a free overhaul on all brakes and derailleurs you stick into it.

:thumbsup:

MePoocho

I just recently replaced the bottom level Shimano DR that came with my bike with a Shimano Alivino. The factory grease that came on the pivots is a greenish-yellow and thick. So maybe a waterproof grease is the way to go...??

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shelbyfv

There is something below Alivio? That loop is cute!

MePoocho

Good Gosh... Shelby... you sure know how to make a guy feel good.

shelbyfv

Was a joke! I figure if you fess up to riding a Denali you have a pretty thick skin

Retro Grouch 

Derailleur lubrication?

I used to worry about things like that maybe back in the '60's. Now I just use a rag or Q-tip or something to clean them up a little. I won't say I NEVER lube derailleurs anymore, but it's certainly a rare thing.

MePoocho

I took it as a 'Grin'. You are spot on about having a thick skin, but you need to also understand that I have a very thin wallet.

The POS Denali got me into the 'Game'. I've grown to like the bike after many $$$'s worth of upgrades. The only things that are 'as built' are the dropdowns, brake levers, and bar tape.

Someday I'll have a sexy Italian looking ride........

leob1

You might want to get some of that grease out of there, it will attract LOTS of dirt.

ramzilla

I soak a RD in diesel fuel for about a week. Agitate it with long handled pliers. Scrub it with a toothbrush. Then, I'll hang it up to dry for a day. Then I drop it into a tub of automatic transmission fluid for a day or two. Then, let it it hang for a while until all the ATF drips off. After installation they run smooth as silk.