oils, grease and lubricant
- Thread starter broady
- Start date
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gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
Sorry Broady...its one of those subjects that everyone has their own prefered methods / products.
Breaking it down, you need something for the chain, general lubrication of pivots and perhaps cleaning.
The chain is the one that will ellicit loads of different choices...cycling specific oils, of which there are many depending on conditions,, engine oil, 3 in 1, chainsaw oil, etc etc.
Ive tried many, barring chainsaw oil. It never made much difference which one I used, I always got the same kind of mileage. Engine oil and perhaps 3 in 1 are very useable...but messy.
Ultimately, clean with a cloth, oil, wipe, wipe wipe the excess off.you only need to apply a drop of oil to each roller to allow it to make its way into the pins...the only place its really needed.
3 in 1 is probably fine for everything else, WD is ok for light lubing, cleaning mechs etc when conditions are cr@ppy, and then there is grease for overhauling hubs etc.
Almost any grease will do, but better greases are lighter yet durable and reduce friction... the cyclists arch enemy.
Clear as mud...if you think about it too much.
Breaking it down, you need something for the chain, general lubrication of pivots and perhaps cleaning.
The chain is the one that will ellicit loads of different choices...cycling specific oils, of which there are many depending on conditions,, engine oil, 3 in 1, chainsaw oil, etc etc.
Ive tried many, barring chainsaw oil. It never made much difference which one I used, I always got the same kind of mileage. Engine oil and perhaps 3 in 1 are very useable...but messy.
Ultimately, clean with a cloth, oil, wipe, wipe wipe the excess off.you only need to apply a drop of oil to each roller to allow it to make its way into the pins...the only place its really needed.
3 in 1 is probably fine for everything else, WD is ok for light lubing, cleaning mechs etc when conditions are cr@ppy, and then there is grease for overhauling hubs etc.
Almost any grease will do, but better greases are lighter yet durable and reduce friction... the cyclists arch enemy.
Clear as mud...if you think about it too much.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
Not being funny, well not entirely, but that would indeed be "thick grease" . For bikes it doesn't unduly matter what exact recipe - oil for chain and pivots, and grease for bearings.
And "coppaslip" or similar anti-sieze for pedal & bb threads - though grease will do for that too.
I've got coppaslip and have to put in a new bottom bracket later so I will definitely put some on. Think I'll remove pedals too while I'm at it.
I've only just got into bike maintenance and brought a couple of old bikes to learn on and hopefully sell somewhere near the break even part after spending the money on parts.
I've only just got into bike maintenance and brought a couple of old bikes to learn on and hopefully sell somewhere near the break even part after spending the money on parts.
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
Copper-based grease is good for stuff you're going to want to undo - pedals, BB, seatposts and such
Normal grease for anything involving bearings
Chain lube for the, erm, chain.
WD40 for de-gunging things before lubing them properly.
In practice, i tend to use Wilko bike oil for pretty much everything...
Normal grease for anything involving bearings
Chain lube for the, erm, chain.
WD40 for de-gunging things before lubing them properly.
In practice, i tend to use Wilko bike oil for pretty much everything...
I use summat called ACF-50 for cleaning the chainset , then engine oil for my motorbike for lube
Copper grease as mentioned for anything that will need to come apart occasionally - it should be noted, it's an anti-seize compound, not a lubricant
Again, engine oil for cable lubing - either 5w-30 fully synth or 10-40 fully synth, depending on whether I have more oil for the car or bike
I've got so many different greases, I just use plain old Castrol multipurpose stuff.
I just use what I have in the garage, but I do have quite a lot of stuff...
Copper grease as mentioned for anything that will need to come apart occasionally - it should be noted, it's an anti-seize compound, not a lubricant
Again, engine oil for cable lubing - either 5w-30 fully synth or 10-40 fully synth, depending on whether I have more oil for the car or bike
I've got so many different greases, I just use plain old Castrol multipurpose stuff.
I just use what I have in the garage, but I do have quite a lot of stuff...
Tom B
Guru
- Location
- Lancashire
We use elcheapo Weldtite oil on the bikes at work http://weldtite.co.uk/products/detail/cycle-oil-125ml it costs about £1-50 a bottle. I try and get people to add a few drops before each use. It looks and feels rather like 3 in 1. There is no chance of getting people to clean it, so adding lube is best I can hope for.
I used to use dearer oils on my own bikes, but after seeing how well the cheapo stuff works at work i now use that. The work bikes don't noticeably wear faster or break more. But chains and cassettes are changed one they go over +1.00%
I have just got one of these http://weldtite.co.uk/products/detail/grease-gun-grease-with-teflon-tube-150ml for grease. I apply a smear to my cables (largely because i saw a bike mechanic do it) and have recently cleaned and re-lubed my pedal bearings etc with it.
On my own bikes Cleaning wise I apply a spray of GT85 wipe wipe, oil, wipe and oil.
If i'm bored i clean the chain off with White Spirit and a cut down 1" paint brush.
Shhhh but at work with particularly filthy chains I jet wash the chains by aiming the jet at the chain between the sprocket and bottom jockey wheel. Until all the old oil grime and grit are off. Blast dry with compressed air, GT85 and add oil.
But you should never do that.....ever.... it's just a case of making the best of a bad job.
I used to use dearer oils on my own bikes, but after seeing how well the cheapo stuff works at work i now use that. The work bikes don't noticeably wear faster or break more. But chains and cassettes are changed one they go over +1.00%
I have just got one of these http://weldtite.co.uk/products/detail/grease-gun-grease-with-teflon-tube-150ml for grease. I apply a smear to my cables (largely because i saw a bike mechanic do it) and have recently cleaned and re-lubed my pedal bearings etc with it.
On my own bikes Cleaning wise I apply a spray of GT85 wipe wipe, oil, wipe and oil.
If i'm bored i clean the chain off with White Spirit and a cut down 1" paint brush.
Shhhh but at work with particularly filthy chains I jet wash the chains by aiming the jet at the chain between the sprocket and bottom jockey wheel. Until all the old oil grime and grit are off. Blast dry with compressed air, GT85 and add oil.
But you should never do that.....ever.... it's just a case of making the best of a bad job.
Last edited:
Diggs
Veteran
- Location
- Billericay, Essex
As per @TheDoctor
+1 on the wilko oil I found it to be quite good
+1 on the wilko oil I found it to be quite good
