Phil (ascentale)Dec 6

@ai6yr asks:

I've been using Phil Wood grease (on recommendation of the LBS - but I'm not sure if it's because it's the stuff to use, or they want to sell more tubes). It's kind of pricey, and since I'm fixing many bikes, I've bought a few tubes already.

Q3. Is there a more generic grease I should be using that this stuff is the same as? Is this the stuff to use? What are general opinions on "what bicycle grease to use"?

#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling cc @bikenite

Show threadGemma โญ๏ธ๐Ÿ”ฐ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ ๐ŸŽ

@ascentale @ai6yr @bikenite #BikeNite A3. I am not a lubrication engineer, but I dont think there is anything in a bicycle that is subject to enough stress that it matters much what kind of grease. What has been in my fitness bike since I rebuilt it last year is generic white lithium grease from an ages old tube that was in my toolbox, because I couldn't be bothered.

I would trust Phil Wood for just about anything, first started using their products in the early 1980s, as a young BMX racer. โ€ฆ

Dec 6 at 9:39pmWeb
Show threadGemma โญ๏ธ๐Ÿ”ฐ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ ๐ŸŽDec 6
@ascentale @ai6yr @bikenite I would also trust Mobil 1 products. Although I have been car-free for over 4 years now, since the 1980s, I've never used anything but Mobil 1 in my cars ๏ผ† motorcycles, and they have always done the job. My 1993 VW Passat went 226K miles before the transmission gave out in 2006. The engine was still perfect, thanks to Mobil 1. It failed due to a worn out seal, not because of the 30K mi interval changes of Mobil 1 ATF. I used Mobil 1 grease in the wheel bearings, too.
Show threadGemma โญ๏ธ๐Ÿ”ฐ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ ๐ŸŽDec 6

@ascentale @ai6yr @bikenite Bicycles require so little grease that I don't mind paying extra for boutique grease, or anything that just makes me feel like I've bought a premium product.

When I did my rebuild in 2024, it was the first time I've done that in well over a decade, so I'd forgot to even think about buying grease until I was already well into it, so I just grabbed whatever was around.

If you asked me to name a bicycle grease, Phil Wood would be the first thing that came to my mind.

Show threadDJ Deep House ArrestDec 6
@gcvsa @ascentale @ai6yr @bikenite White lithium, especially generic, is the one I would avoid completely. It tends to break down over time all by itself, either liquifying or hardening, and is not compatible with other greases. If you do frequent maintenance and clean all parts completely, you might be okay, but it also can do harm to rubber and plastic parts.
Show threadGemma โญ๏ธ๐Ÿ”ฐ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ ๐ŸŽDec 6

@klaw @ascentale @ai6yr @bikenite Good to know. Again, I am not a lubrication engineer.

There are no rubber or plastic parts in my wheel hubs, headset, or bottom bracketโ€”the only places where grease needs to go on my bicycleโ€”and everything was completely cleaned and degreased before regreasing and reassembly.

When I go to eventually regrease, I would as a matter of course, completely clean and degrease these components before regreasing and reassembly.