Originally Posted by
Iowegian
Loosened side vs fixed side can make a difference on bottom brackets but not on hubs. The axles are completely side indifferent so don't sweat it.
As for grease, I use synthetic grease these days but IMO the major factor in bike hub grease is cleanliness and the ability to withstand the inevitable contamination by dust and moisture that will get by the seals. Periodic cleaning and re-greasing is the best defense here.
That makes sense, since I've been reading mostly about the hubs, and I haven't seen a mention of the fixed side vs. loose side mentioned in any of the well-done write-ups on that subject. I'll keep it in mind when I mess with the BB, which I'll probably do soon. I tend to believe you about the exact type of grease mattering less than the frequency and quality of the maintenance. If I had several bikes that needed this kind of service, and rode a lot in crummy weather, I'd probably be looking for the best cheap grease. It's amazing how I never thought about any of this with the old 10-speeds I had back in the day.