Favorite Grease?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Favorite Grease?
Let the the smart Alec answers begin.
I’m asking about what you use on your bike not what you cook with or any other uses.
Over the years, I’ve used everything from Campagnolo to Quaker State Chassis Lube that I got for free from the gas station down the street. In the last 15 or so years, I’ve used Phil grease. But the tube Of Phil that I have now has a funny smell and seems to stain things, including a white frame and a bit of freshly painted work wood that Mrs Spadoni has yet to notice.
The free grease from the gas station is no longer an option. While the Quaker State was a really cool gold color, the gas station closed years ago . So I’m gonna have buy some grease. Any suggestions?
I’m asking about what you use on your bike not what you cook with or any other uses.
Over the years, I’ve used everything from Campagnolo to Quaker State Chassis Lube that I got for free from the gas station down the street. In the last 15 or so years, I’ve used Phil grease. But the tube Of Phil that I have now has a funny smell and seems to stain things, including a white frame and a bit of freshly painted work wood that Mrs Spadoni has yet to notice.
The free grease from the gas station is no longer an option. While the Quaker State was a really cool gold color, the gas station closed years ago . So I’m gonna have buy some grease. Any suggestions?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: se MIch.
Posts: 2,255
Bikes: 1938 claud butler,1983 Basso,teledyne titan,teocali super,nrs,1993 stumpjumper fsr,Paramountain,Paramount Buell(sold),4 banger,Zaskar LE,Colnago Master Ibex MTB,1987ish,.etc....
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 594 Post(s)
Liked 1,930 Times
in
1,053 Posts
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 4,142
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1680 Post(s)
Liked 2,868 Times
in
1,362 Posts
I miss the Phil grease too... is it out of production?
I've picked up some synthetic Pedros a while back, and it is separating, which is discouraging.
The green Park grease seems to be pretty similar to the Phils. I've been using it for a number of years (but don't recall exactly when), and it seems to do a good job.
Steve in Peoria
(I'm tempted to make a Quarter Pounder with Cheese grease joke, but refuse to stoop that low.
)
I've picked up some synthetic Pedros a while back, and it is separating, which is discouraging.
The green Park grease seems to be pretty similar to the Phils. I've been using it for a number of years (but don't recall exactly when), and it seems to do a good job.
Steve in Peoria
(I'm tempted to make a Quarter Pounder with Cheese grease joke, but refuse to stoop that low.

#4
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kampong Cham, Cambodia but I have quite a few in Lancaster, PA
Posts: 3,278
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 864 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times
in
479 Posts
Park tool is nice in the tube
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Juan, PR
Posts: 151
Bikes: 1980's Royce Union "fixed wheel", 1995 Trek 370, 406 -wheeled " shopper/minivelo"for running errands, SS Raleigh M60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times
in
40 Posts

this one (or whatever marine grease is cheapest ATM).
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 649 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4714 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,012 Times
in
1,860 Posts
I'm still using up my supply of Phil Wood grease. I haven't tried anything new for about the past decade. Of all the brand name greases, Campagnolo was my least favourite, with the older white version narrowly edging out the newer clear version. I hated having to stir the content of the tubs every time I used the grease.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,480
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Mentioned: 149 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 4,036 Times
in
1,512 Posts
Still using the same tub of Park Grease I bought a long time ago. I do have some blue marine grease that occasionally get's used but the Park is pretty much the go to for everything.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 2,371
Bikes: 85 De Rosa, 92 Colnago Master PIU, 83 Pinarello Record, 92 Merckx MX Leader, 99 Tommasini Sintesi, 90 Pinarello Montello, 08 Look 585, 89 Merckx Corsa Extra, 72 Holdsworth Professional
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 344 Post(s)
Liked 506 Times
in
224 Posts
For bearings I use blue #2 marine grease. For everything else (bolts/screws, BB cups, etc.) I use the green heavy duty grease. The green grease is identical to one of the bike specific grease I used in the past but about a third the price.

#9
Happy With My Bike
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,735
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 656 Post(s)
Liked 1,771 Times
in
836 Posts
The mechanics at work throw this away and use whatever they have in a grease gun. I bring some home from time to time for the bikes. A crack maddened gorilla, riding downhill while being pulled by a Corvette couldn't wear this grease out on a bike.

__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
#11
Catching Smallmouth
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: In a boat
Posts: 575
Bikes: 1990 Specialized Sirrus Triple, 1985 Trek 460, 2005 Lemond Tourmalet, 1984 Schwinn LeTour 'Luxe, 1988 Trek 400T, 1985 Trek 450, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1993 Diamond Back Apex, 1988 Schwinn Circuit, 1988 Schwinn Prologue, 1978 Trek TX700, Sannino
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Liked 121 Times
in
70 Posts
Pretty much whatever NLGI #2 GC-LB grease that is loaded in my grease gun. I have not noticed any separation or comparability issues with Shimano's factory hub grease when I adjust and lube new Shimano hubs with lithium complex grease with the above specs. I've used marine grease with good luck too. Some marine greases are lithium complex base and others are calcium sulfonate based. I've noticed no compatibility issues with either one.
I lubed hubs, headset and a bottom bracket in 1980 something on my BMX bike when I was 13. I used Mystic high temp red grease. I took that bike apart a few months ago to put a couple parts on a junkyard save Schwinn. Much to my surprise the grease had not hardened or separated at all. It is still available and scores well on the Timken load test and other wear and friction tests. It also scores as good as any marine grease at water washout testing.
How long a wheel or crankset will spin on a test stand without a load isn't really a good indication of how it will perform out on the road with 200 pounds standing on the pedals. I'm not afraid to run "thick" grease with a NLGI 1 or 2 rating.
I lubed hubs, headset and a bottom bracket in 1980 something on my BMX bike when I was 13. I used Mystic high temp red grease. I took that bike apart a few months ago to put a couple parts on a junkyard save Schwinn. Much to my surprise the grease had not hardened or separated at all. It is still available and scores well on the Timken load test and other wear and friction tests. It also scores as good as any marine grease at water washout testing.
How long a wheel or crankset will spin on a test stand without a load isn't really a good indication of how it will perform out on the road with 200 pounds standing on the pedals. I'm not afraid to run "thick" grease with a NLGI 1 or 2 rating.
#12
Passista
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,498
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 829 Post(s)
Liked 640 Times
in
348 Posts
My favorite is Shimano Dura-Ace but it's not cheap. I also use Molykote BR 2.
Likes For Reynolds:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,769
Mentioned: 460 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3602 Post(s)
Liked 5,840 Times
in
2,349 Posts

Likes For nlerner:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,594
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 505 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3100 Post(s)
Liked 3,410 Times
in
1,309 Posts
I've really never had any complaints about basic Park PPL-1. Phil's Tenacious is cool (I like the color) but expensive. I'm not sure what it get's you. I tried some really cheap general purpose Valvoline stuff, but I absolutely can't stand the smell of it, and it's black which seems like a bad idea if you ever want to know how contaminated your grease is.
Right now, I'm using a tub of Rock and Roll Red Devil that I got last year. It's a good color, but leaves strings like good pizza cheese as you try to scoop out a dolor. That's good for cheese, not so good for grease. Apart from that, I'm happy with it.
Right now, I'm using a tub of Rock and Roll Red Devil that I got last year. It's a good color, but leaves strings like good pizza cheese as you try to scoop out a dolor. That's good for cheese, not so good for grease. Apart from that, I'm happy with it.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 623
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 331 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 354 Times
in
239 Posts
GREEN GREASE comes in 14oz grease gun cartridge which is a cylinder that resembles a Minute Maid Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate tube from 1974.
It is a trademarked brand, GREEN GREASE, and you can get for under $10 at both AUTO ZONE and NAPA...... at.other auto parts stores but slightly above ten dollars, at for example Advance Auto Parts and O'Reilly's.......BUT REMEMBER THAT THESE PARTS CHAINS (advance, o'reillys, autozone) WILL PRICE MATCH each other ON THE SAME EXACT ITEM'S REGULAR PRICE, BUT YOU HAVE TO ASK THEM TO DO SO.
Green Grease | The Best Grease Money Can Buy!
Green Grease | Waterproof Green Grease!
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Grease-.../dp/B004Y06YT8
The regular price inside AUTOZONE stores and inside NAPA parts stores is lower than the price on AMAZON or from ordering direct from the manufacturer.
I SIMPLY OPEN ONE END AND SPOON OUT THE AMOUNT NEEDED.
I CLOSE THE CYLINDER WITH ALUMINUM FOIL & RUBBER BANDS, AND THEN I PLACE THIS "closed" 14oz Cylinder Tube INSIDE AN EMPTY LOAF OF BREAD WRAPPER & Twist tie , and store it that way.
Be advised that this GREEN GREASE is difficult to wash off your hands. I recommend wearing thin form fitting surgical type rubber or vinyl gloves to keep it off your hands as much as possible.
It is synthetic and waterproof and in my opinion, there is absolutely no better grease for the caged bearings in the ancient one piece crank!
It is a trademarked brand, GREEN GREASE, and you can get for under $10 at both AUTO ZONE and NAPA...... at.other auto parts stores but slightly above ten dollars, at for example Advance Auto Parts and O'Reilly's.......BUT REMEMBER THAT THESE PARTS CHAINS (advance, o'reillys, autozone) WILL PRICE MATCH each other ON THE SAME EXACT ITEM'S REGULAR PRICE, BUT YOU HAVE TO ASK THEM TO DO SO.
Green Grease | The Best Grease Money Can Buy!
Green Grease | Waterproof Green Grease!
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Grease-.../dp/B004Y06YT8
The regular price inside AUTOZONE stores and inside NAPA parts stores is lower than the price on AMAZON or from ordering direct from the manufacturer.
I SIMPLY OPEN ONE END AND SPOON OUT THE AMOUNT NEEDED.
I CLOSE THE CYLINDER WITH ALUMINUM FOIL & RUBBER BANDS, AND THEN I PLACE THIS "closed" 14oz Cylinder Tube INSIDE AN EMPTY LOAF OF BREAD WRAPPER & Twist tie , and store it that way.
Be advised that this GREEN GREASE is difficult to wash off your hands. I recommend wearing thin form fitting surgical type rubber or vinyl gloves to keep it off your hands as much as possible.
It is synthetic and waterproof and in my opinion, there is absolutely no better grease for the caged bearings in the ancient one piece crank!
#16
Drip, Drip.
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 1,575
Bikes: Trek Verve E bike, Felt Doctrine 4 XC, Opus Horizon Apex 1
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1033 Post(s)
Liked 191 Times
in
161 Posts
The Vaseline from the dollarstore works fine for me. Today I used some greasy hair lotion for the spring in my suspension seatpost.
Jokes aside, I heard Vaseline works fine as grease. I'd just use normal bike grease or whatever else works well for things like a bottom bracket or wheel hub though.
Jokes aside, I heard Vaseline works fine as grease. I'd just use normal bike grease or whatever else works well for things like a bottom bracket or wheel hub though.
#17
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,085
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3496 Post(s)
Liked 5,617 Times
in
2,818 Posts
#21
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,568
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3401 Post(s)
Liked 3,007 Times
in
1,728 Posts
I like white lithium grease because it makes it obvious when the grease has gotten contaminated.
#22
Senior Member
Lucas x-tra heavy duty grease looks, smells and tastes like Park polylube for a fraction of the price.
Likes For brian3069:
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I miss the Phil grease too... is it out of production?
I've picked up some synthetic Pedros a while back, and it is separating, which is discouraging.
The green Park grease seems to be pretty similar to the Phils. I've been using it for a number of years (but don't recall exactly when), and it seems to do a good job.
Steve in Peoria
(I'm tempted to make a Quarter Pounder with Cheese grease joke, but refuse to stoop that low.
)
I've picked up some synthetic Pedros a while back, and it is separating, which is discouraging.
The green Park grease seems to be pretty similar to the Phils. I've been using it for a number of years (but don't recall exactly when), and it seems to do a good job.
Steve in Peoria
(I'm tempted to make a Quarter Pounder with Cheese grease joke, but refuse to stoop that low.

#25
Senior Member