need grease recommendation
 

Hi,

I just ordered a Shimano UN55 BB for a singlespeed bike, and need a recommendation for what to use to lube the threads. Got some chain lube, but that probably isn't heavy enough. Is automotive wheel bearing grease ok, or is it better to go with something bike specific?

Dave

I use marine grease from home depot, comes in a tube, but a bearing specific grease will work as well (i.e. phil wood or equivalent https://www.retro-gression.com/colle...erproof-grease)

Lucas Oil 14.5 oz. Marine Grease-10320 - The Home Depot

I've had good luck with Park Tools grease but I'm sure there are cheaper options. I find these tubes on Amazon last quite awhile for me:

Park Tool Grease in tube

Right, don't use chain lube.

You don't need something bike-specific, especially for threads. I'd recommend something waterproof, and you can't beat the price and functionality of some good old marine grease.

+1 for a tub of marine grease, cheaper than Park grease and it will last a long time. Marine grease seems suitable for bicycle bearings as well.

You can be a peasant and go with cheap crappy grease that may not even hold up or you can use the right grease:
Krytox 240 AB Grease, 2 oz. tube

The Krytox grease is obviously a joke, but, for less perspicacious readers who might take the other part of the comment seriously:

Inexpensive marine grease is not actually "cheap" or "crappy". It's excellent for use on bikes, and the only real drawbacks are that 1) it's messier, and makes contamination harder to spot, than something like this, and 2) it's probably thicker than you would want if you're racing and want to squeeze every last bit of performance out of high precision bearings in bottom brackets and hubs. Otherwise, I'm not aware of any genuine reason not to use it on bikes, and, in fact, it's not only inexpensive but probably better than most bike-specific greases in terms of sealing power and hardiness.

I just wish I knew what WI uses on their freewheel pawls. They say specifically to NOT use grease, but they totally do.

Real cyclists use a mix of tallow and paraffin...

any lithium based grease should work fine. Marine grease is usually waterproof, so that sounds like a winner.

You don't want water in those threads, especially the BB.

+37 for thick marine grease on all threaded applications. It just sits there, so why not use something thick and waterproof? And if it is rated #2, then it's perfectly fine for all ball bearing applications as well.

I use lucas oil "red n tacky" from the autoparts store

I pack bel-ray into a handy little Dualco grease dispenser. Highly recommend both the grease and dispenser.

Why do you think I am joking? Did I write "LOL" or put a smiley or winking smiley face at the end! Stop being so poor and recommending the cheap stuff. If you are going to use cheapo marine grease would you also ride a Thruster? If you are doing that why even bother with grease.

No one is paying $200 for 2 oz of grease unless the grease cooks you dinner, picks the right movie off Netflix (without two hours of looking) and kisses you sweetly on the taint.

Marine Grease from Walmart. You can get RJ the Bike Guys same grease gun from Amazon (I can't link yet)

I always just use the Phil Wood grease for everything. The smaller tube always lasts me a really long time so I never questioned the price. But maybe I'll try that Marine stuff next time I need to buy some.

I bought a tube of Park Tools grease 5+ years ago and I've barely made a dent in it.

I used to use the Park PPL1 grease on bottom brackets but now use the Park ASC1 anti-seize. It's not that messy and seems like it doesn't get washed out as easy over time, plus it helps prevent any galvanic corrosion. I also use it on pedal threads as well.

I personally like Maxima grease, it's SRAM's choice of factory grease. It's blue! :)

Might have to check this stuff out for my coaster hubs.

Is it a pretty blue, or an ugly industrial blue? I ask because it really really matters. :)

Thanks for the recommendation! Just ordered a the last 4 tubes they had and I can't wait to see how much better my bike's gonna ride now that I'm not sullying it with peasant grease.

On a totally unrelated note, is it tacky to start a gofundme to cover your rent? Asking for a friend.

It's a pretty blue when scooped out of the jar and viewed in light. If used thickly or over dark surfaces, it's an industrial blue.

Nevertheless, it's going to be applied to the nether regions of a bike anyhow. :rolleyes:

Hey don't roll your eyes at me. :) It might be hidden while in use, but I still have to look at it while I work with it. I was looking into Mobil One full synthetic because it's a rad Jolly Rancher Cherry Red, but the reviews say it sucks. I guess the lube separates from the carrier just sitting in the tub or gun on the shelf at room temperature after only a few months. Many many bad reviews.

Totes. I just so happen to be servicing a bottom bracket today. (Failing, actually. There's something wrong that I can't figure out. :crash:) Is this the color you're looking for?

http://i.imgur.com/vS4S228.jpg

How does the spindle look? Those bearings look pretty well lubed.

Dave

No. But thanks for trying to help. I find that shade of blue quite ugly. So off-putting in fact, I'd never be able to use it. Something about it makes me queasy and I want to turn my head to look away. :twitchy:

It turns out that the Maxima grease recommended by Leukybear is the translucent royal blue I was hoping for. It's beautiful.

So now I'm almost set. Dura-Ace Florescent green grease for my Chartreuse bike, Crystal Clear grease for my off white bike, Brown Bel-Ray for my brown bike and Maxima for my blue bike. I just need to find a good red grease for my red bike, since Mobil One got booted out.

Properly color coordinated grease is critical for maximum speed. A lot of people don't know this, but the bikes can tell the difference. And they care. A lot!





https://www.crfsonly.com/howto/steering-stem/9.jpg

I work at Lowes and yes we have that Lucas red n tacky which is bearing grease, marine grease and general purpose grease.

Zman

[QUOTE=SquidPuppet;19599811]No. But thanks for trying to help. I find that shade of blue quite ugly. So off-putting in fact, I'd never be able to use it. Something about it makes me queasy and I want to turn my head to look away. :twitchy:

It turns out that the Maxima grease recommended by Leukybear is the translucent royal blue I was hoping for. It's beautiful.

So now I'm almost set. Dura-Ace Florescent green grease for my Chartreuse bike, Crystal Clear grease for my off white bike, Brown Bel-Ray for my brown bike and Maxima for my blue bike. I just need to find a good red grease for my red bike, since Mobil One got booted out.

Properly color coordinated grease is critical for maximum speed. A lot of people don't know this, but the bikes can tell the difference. And they care. A lot!


Well Lucas red n tacky it is then. :foo:

Zman

Clear grease as in super lube synthetic grease? Random fact, that's the factory grease of snap-on.

I suppose when you get a evergreen colored bike, you can use polylube. Random fact, that's the factory grease of park tool. :p

Wait bel ray grease is similar in color to polylube but with more blue; at least their most popular grease is.

Philwood grease is brown.

There's also white lithium grease too. Campy grease is white lithium but that's the shade your face turns after you find out the price for a tube. Also, white lithium turns into a chalky paste when the grease separates over time.