I forgot To Grease The Threads!!!
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: UK
I forgot To Grease The Threads!!!
Hi there I have just assembled my bike with a new bottom bracket but I forgot to grease the threads the only grease that's there is the old grease does it matter will bike maintenance spray be ok I use it for the chain I only remembered when I was riding and had the slightest creak and it came to me lol
#2
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,199
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Your user name is cute. Please use punctuation. It takes you longer to type periods, but it takes us less time to read and understand your posts. It's a simple courtesy.
Sounds like you do need to add grease to the threads, since you are hearing a creak.
Sounds like you do need to add grease to the threads, since you are hearing a creak.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#3
Steel is real
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 772
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From: Australia
Bikes: Custom - Record Vortex 8 spd Nexus & Mistral Le Mans 3 spd Shimano. Giant Kronos. Raliegh Single Speed
what sort of BB...a sealed one?
i'd re-do it, might have a hell of a job removing it next time.
i'd re-do it, might have a hell of a job removing it next time.
#4
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: UK
yes its a sealed unit will this grease be ok I use it for the chain
3 In 1 Bike Maintenance Spray 250ml at wilko.com
Joe
3 In 1 Bike Maintenance Spray 250ml at wilko.com
Joe
#5
It is pretty important. Seized bottom bracket shell threads can mean a bike with worn out BB bearings but that is otherwise good is basically trash (although most BBs can eventually be removed, it can be a major headache). The correct answer is: 'Disassemble the BB, grease, and re-assemble.'
BTW, what sort of bike is it? What material is the frame?
BTW, what sort of bike is it? What material is the frame?
#6
Steel is real
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 772
Likes: 18
From: Australia
Bikes: Custom - Record Vortex 8 spd Nexus & Mistral Le Mans 3 spd Shimano. Giant Kronos. Raliegh Single Speed
yes its a sealed unit will this grease be ok I use it for the chain
3 In 1 Bike Maintenance Spray 250ml at wilko.com
Joe
3 In 1 Bike Maintenance Spray 250ml at wilko.com
Joe
#7
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 18
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From: UK
#8
I don't think that will do it. I'd go down to the hardware store and get some real grease. You can use the kind intended for cars.
#9
Steel is real
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 772
Likes: 18
From: Australia
Bikes: Custom - Record Vortex 8 spd Nexus & Mistral Le Mans 3 spd Shimano. Giant Kronos. Raliegh Single Speed
might be ok to use on old chains, i use something similar on old bikes - Boston, then after some use, decrease the drive drain and hit it with proper oil
#10
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,161
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From: Mt Shasta, CA, USA
Bikes: Too many. Giant Trance X 29, Surly Midnight Special get the most time.
That stuff is oil; grease is thicker and not liquid. Most greases for automotive or marine applications are fine general purpose bicycle greases.
#11
Not quite there yet
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 999
Likes: 2
From: Monkey Bottom, NC
Bikes: A bunch of old steel bikes + an ICE trike
Re: your BB: personally I would disassemble and redo with anti-seize or grease; however don't assume that the creak you hear is coming from the BB. There are many other probable sources
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: St. Cloud Minnesota
Bikes: 1981 Miyata 210, 1987 Miyata 615GT, 1990 Miyata CT3000, 1993 Cannondale M300, 1994 Cannondale Killer V, 1995 Cannondale R500, 2010 Cannondale F4, 2015 Framed Minnesota 3.0
I agree with everyone else, disassemble and grease those threads!
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
Bikes: Kuota Ksano. Litespeed T5 gravel - brilliant!
If you think you did a good job assembling the drivetrain, I wouldn't mess with it. If it's creaking, how slight is too slight? The only value on the grease is to reduce strain on parts during assembly and, to a lesser extent, to protect the threads from corrosion. If you'll be doing maintenance in the next 12 months, it probably won't make a difference to the parts.
#16
Junior Member

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 9
Especially if one sex is steel and the other is aluminum
You have run up against what I identify as the bureaucrat, who reminds you of forms you didn't fill out or, succinctly what Kafka talked about.
I recently discovered this personality anthropomorphy to working on a fixed gear; There used to be, maybe it's called a meme, an image of warriors who were holed up on islands or other remote areas who didn't know the war is over and thus fight to the last breath of all, which I compared some bike fixes or tunings to but other analogs apply. Of course the former was always in plain sight when the idea of having enough spare parts or a standard was hoped for.
I recently discovered this personality anthropomorphy to working on a fixed gear; There used to be, maybe it's called a meme, an image of warriors who were holed up on islands or other remote areas who didn't know the war is over and thus fight to the last breath of all, which I compared some bike fixes or tunings to but other analogs apply. Of course the former was always in plain sight when the idea of having enough spare parts or a standard was hoped for.
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,685
Likes: 2,603
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
If you're OCD about maintenance, and rebuild the BB every two or three months, enjoy the ride. If you're like most of us and ride until the BB is worn out, take the cups out NOW and add grease (or Teflon tape). Missing two or three months of prime riding season because the bracket is still soaking in penetrating oil is no fun.
#19
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Easy answer.
Anything (grease on threads, orientation of tire labels, cable routing) that bothers you enough to ask about you have to redo. Actually it's a great time saver because otherwise that's all you'll be able to think about every time that you ride.
Anything (grease on threads, orientation of tire labels, cable routing) that bothers you enough to ask about you have to redo. Actually it's a great time saver because otherwise that's all you'll be able to think about every time that you ride.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
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