Ok - Just did a search on bottom bracket grease and now I am really confused - Does it make a difference - I used to think NO and have always used a can of white lithium based grease that I bought about 20 years ago but I have had to clean and regrease several of the bottom brackets (loose ball) I have worked on due to intermittent clicking in the crank... Is my favorite grease failing me?

Just what is the best grease to use?
or
Does it really make a difference???

20110619 - Sumary - NO it does not really make that much of a difference - But - On closer examination of my greater than 20 year old can of White Lithium grease I noted a thin layer of oil on top and on closer examination I noted that the deeper into the can I stuck my screw driver the thicker the grease was - It appears after so many years in my Texas 110 degree plus garage the grease has somewhat separated out into a lighter grease on top and thicker at the bottom - WOW - Who would think - Anyway after this thread I am going to use thicker Marine Grease on my bottom bracket and continue to use the white lithium on everything else - THANKS YA ALL

In my opinion... It doesn't make a difference unless you think it makes a difference.

If the grease was still slick when you had to service your BB, then I don't see how the grease could have been the issue. Unless the bearings were dry and/or the grease was solidified, the grease was probably fine.

^^ agreed .... probably more to do with adjustment or problems with the bb itself.

darn intermittent clicking - bike noises have MANY sources - loos crank arm, malfunctioning pedal, seat post, head set, coat zipper hitting the top tube - and of course - BB issues

Don't forget knees !!

For a BB or hub in good shape I use White Lithium grease, but a bike with wear, or pitting, abuse, I use thick red marine grease. The marine grease keeps the noise down and will last forever in a bike that is used by a person that doesn't take good care of it.

White Lithium grease is good for car door hinges, and that's about it..... Get a good quality wheel bearing grease for BB's , hubs and headsets. I like Kendall (Super Blue) but any wheel bearing grease will work fine on a bike.

I like waterproof marine grease for BBs...waterproof, cheap, works great.

For hubs and headsets I still like Finish Line Teflon Grease.

I'd think wheel bearing grease much too thick for bicyle needs, but I've never used it.

^ But that's not C&V! I'm composting some dinosuars as we speak for my Grail build.

Litium grease isn't good for high pressure applications. I prefer this one myself.

I'm of the opinion that it really doesn't matter all so much. I've heard of people on tour using bacon fat in desperation and having it work OK.

The holy grail Natalie Wood grease


whoops I mean Phil Wood grease

It really doesn't matter. It's a light duty application compared with things like car bearings. All the grease gets pushed away except for a tiny film, which is no more viscous than oil. The rest of it serves to keep dirt and water out.

^^^^ What he said. There's nothing on a bicycle that qualifies as "high pressure". Even on a car, very few things do. Wheel bearings, differentials....some tranny designs.

I used to use a stock of Campy grease I came across a long time ago. It al least appeared to be white lithium. Well, it was white anyhow.

Nowadays I use either Phil Wood or BG. Can't find a PIC of the BG - wonder if they quit making it? My tub is a couple of years old.

I can attest to that Bel-Ray grease being good stuff. Haven't tried it on a bike, but it works great on motorcycles....

ANy good quality automotive grease will do. If it's good enough for a 5 ton truck/auto. It will last forever on any bike bearing.