Bike grease recommendations
11-03-22, 08:56 AM
#26
Senior Member
Bike grease recommendation? Use it. Regularly, and wherever appropriate. 
Seriously: bicycle loads and bearing RPMs are trivial compared to what most greases are designed to withstand. Unless you ride in the Arctic, as others have said above pretty much any high-quality grease should work well enough. (If you regularly ride in extremely harsh winter conditions, you might - and that's might - need a low-temp grease formulated for those conditions during winter riding.)
Two caveats: if you regularly ride where you encounter lots of water (trails crossing streams, deep puddles), maybe consider marine grease (it's more water resistant). And don't put grease where it doesn't belong (freehub and freewheel pawls reputedly don't like thick greases).
Seriously: bicycle loads and bearing RPMs are trivial compared to what most greases are designed to withstand. Unless you ride in the Arctic, as others have said above pretty much any high-quality grease should work well enough. (If you regularly ride in extremely harsh winter conditions, you might - and that's might - need a low-temp grease formulated for those conditions during winter riding.)
Two caveats: if you regularly ride where you encounter lots of water (trails crossing streams, deep puddles), maybe consider marine grease (it's more water resistant). And don't put grease where it doesn't belong (freehub and freewheel pawls reputedly don't like thick greases).
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11-03-22, 09:43 AM
#27
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I use Phil Wood because it makes me smell like a Bicycle. Everything makes me smell like either a Boat Trailer or a Tractor.
(not much of an exaggeration)
(not much of an exaggeration)
11-03-22, 09:46 AM
#28
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Originally Posted by jethin
Dude, you’ve taken weight-weenieism to a whole other level.
.
.
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11-03-22, 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
Or, get a grease gun and a needle nozzle, and avoid the mess and fuss.
11-03-22, 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by smd4
Nonsense. Tubes are fine.
11-03-22, 10:38 AM
#31
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Originally Posted by icemilkcoffee
Well I have a tube here that separated in less than a year. And I am in San Jose, ostensibly the same climate as Phil Wood. In fact it even says San Jose, CA on the tube of grease if I recall. You want to exchange your non-separated grease with my separated grease?
Maybe the modern formulation is different?
11-03-22, 11:45 AM
#32
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I bought a tub of waterproof marine grease in the late 1970's. It was bluish-green but has faded to mostly green but is still transparent.
I still have some but you can see the bottom of the tub.
I still have some but you can see the bottom of the tub.
11-03-22, 11:47 AM
#33
Newbie
The Phil Wood grease formulation has definitely changed. It 'stinks' more now. I suspect that sulfur has been added to or increased in the mix.
11-03-22, 11:50 AM
#34
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
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11-03-22, 12:06 PM
#35
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What's a good all-purpose grease for parts vs hubs and rims or can I use them interchangeably?
Eeeeeevrybody's got their own thing.
Fuchs Renolit CA-LZ (NLGI 2) for bearings: hubs, BBs, headsets pedals.
Houdini Lock Lube for caliper brake and derailleur pivots.
John Deere Cotton Picker Spindle Grease (NLGI 00) for IGH clockwork.
Don't grease your rims.
11-03-22, 12:31 PM
#36
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Originally Posted by Jeff Neese
The product description for that specifically says "Not recommended for use in wheel bearings." Sort of eliminates it from bicycle use, doesn't it?
It looks and feels the same as Campy grease. When I open it up after a year, it looks like it did when I first applied it.
11-03-22, 12:44 PM
#37
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11-03-22, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
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11-03-22, 02:39 PM
#41
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Originally Posted by nlerner
Hmm...
I'm not sure what's in this uh monkey butter. But if I ask her about it, she'll just send me more of it. lol.
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11-03-22, 03:11 PM
#42
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Originally Posted by Jeff Neese
The product description for that [white lithium grease] specifically says "Not recommended for use in wheel bearings." Sort of eliminates it from bicycle use, doesn't it?
11-03-22, 03:46 PM
#43
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Some of that tubed Phil green lube (from the 80's) kicks around my stash somewhere.
Could not find it, but found a new Dura Ace bottom bracket and chain, while looking.
For that, I owe this thread a great deal of gratitude.
Like an earlier poster said, that Rock n Roll red stuff works exceptionally well.
Always strive for slickness, not thickness.
Could not find it, but found a new Dura Ace bottom bracket and chain, while looking.
For that, I owe this thread a great deal of gratitude.
Like an earlier poster said, that Rock n Roll red stuff works exceptionally well.
Always strive for slickness, not thickness.
11-03-22, 03:50 PM
#45
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In the early 70's I bought a copy of Eugene Sloane's Complete Book of Bicycling where he recommended Lubriplate 105, so I got a tin from an auto parts store back then.
For the longest time it's been Mobil 1.
Trying out Citgo's Mystik JT6 with 3% moly cuz it was on sale at Farm and Fleet, and Valvoline Palladium, 3% moly.
Or maybe just rendered pork fat.
For the longest time it's been Mobil 1.
Trying out Citgo's Mystik JT6 with 3% moly cuz it was on sale at Farm and Fleet, and Valvoline Palladium, 3% moly.
Or maybe just rendered pork fat.
11-03-22, 04:07 PM
#46
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11-03-22, 04:22 PM
#47
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Originally Posted by nlerner
Hmm.
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11-03-22, 06:58 PM
#49
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Originally Posted by 3alarmer
Bacon fat would probably work if it was all you had, but the dogs it attracts is problematic.
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"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
11-03-22, 08:05 PM
#50
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Originally Posted by Cycologist
Would you use this in the hubs and bearings as well?
Lets say on a pair of Vintage C-Record Hubs with the oil port what's the recommended grease for that application?
I was surprised nothing came up under the search but the search function for "recommended grease" brings up What did you wrench on today and other hits.
Lets say on a pair of Vintage C-Record Hubs with the oil port what's the recommended grease for that application?
I was surprised nothing came up under the search but the search function for "recommended grease" brings up What did you wrench on today and other hits.
grease site:www.bikeforums.net
