Grease or Oil - Which to Use?

Jon Forrest said:

I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
when to use oil.

At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
move, and oil for places where things do move.
But, I'm not sure if this is correct.

What's the [censored]?

Jon Forrest

parktool.combikemap.aspOpen ↗

is a good place to get the basics.

Jon Forrest said:

I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
when to use oil.
At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
move, and oil for places where things do move.
But, I'm not sure if this is correct.
What's the [censored]?

Generally, grease inside (bearing assemblies) or where torque is high (
crank bolts, seat binder bolt), oil on external moving parts (brake
pivots, spring ends).

Exceptions include oil inside multiple-gear hubs and grease for roller
brakes, but generally...

BTW both grease and oil are impermanent. Even if there's no
contamination, grease will degrade over 5-10 years as the volatile
components disappear. Today, a jeweler told me that modern watch
lubricants only last ten years*.

* For $150 he can 'overhaul' my $20 watch with Chinese Day. Takes about
6 weeks. I passed. They're $20 used in Hong Kong.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Jon Forrest said:

I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
when to use oil.

At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
move, and oil for places where things do move.
But, I'm not sure if this is correct.

What's the [censored]?

Grease is for bearings, threads, and interfaces like seatposts.
Lighter lubricant is good for cables, pivots, chains and the like. I
don't like oil, preferring a light "dry" lube for these purposes. My
preference is Dupont Multi-purpose lube. It's the cleanest I've used,
attracting virtually no dirt. You can get it at boring places like
Lowe's. Alternately, motor oil thinned with some paint thinner is
cheap and effective--and far better than "3:1". Buy grease in tubs at
the automotive store, you can draw a picture of a bicycle on the label
with a ball point pen if you want to make it bike specific.

Quoted message said:

Jon Forrest said:

I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
when to use oil.
At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
move, and oil for places where things do move.
But, I'm not sure if this is correct.
What's the [censored]?

landotter said:

Grease is for bearings, threads, and interfaces like seatposts.
Lighter lubricant is good for cables, pivots, chains and the like. I
don't like oil, preferring a light "dry" lube for these purposes. My
preference is Dupont Multi-purpose lube. It's the cleanest I've used,
attracting virtually no dirt. You can get it at boring places like
Lowe's. Alternately, motor oil thinned with some paint thinner is
cheap and effective--and far better than "3:1". Buy grease in tubs at
the automotive store, you can draw a picture of a bicycle on the label
with a ball point pen if you want to make it bike specific.

Your preferred grease may be available in a tube for the same or not
much higher price. Tubes help immensely to avoid contamination. Anyone
who's thrown out a half-used kilo of Campagnolo white grease would
gladly spend a few cents more for a tube.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Jon Forrest said:

I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
when to use oil.

At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
move, and oil for places where things do move.
But, I'm not sure if this is correct.

What's the [censored]?

Unless you listen to Forrester, who is IMO way off base with this, use
grease on the wheels. Oil drips out, onto your carpet. Grease stays
where you put it. Oil the chain, pivot points on the brakes, cables,
things like that. Grease for any bearings that are serviceable. Leave
cartridge "sealed" bearings alone. Some pedals have a grease port.
Use, let me see now, oh, yeah, grease.

--

David L. Johnson

Let's be straight here. If we find something we can't understand we
like to call it something you can't understand, or indeed even
pronounce.
-- Douglas Adams

"Jon Forrest" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
when to use oil.

At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
move, and oil for places where things do move.
But, I'm not sure if this is correct.

What's the [censored]?

Jon Forrest

If your middle name is Tomlinson we're in trouble.

--
JF

Jon Forrest said:

I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
when to use oil.

At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
move, and oil for places where things do move.
But, I'm not sure if this is correct.

What's the [censored]?

Grease is long lasting so is preferable for components that aren't serviced
very often - moving and static ones. It's not too thick for most things on
a bike. Cables is one exception.

Oil is useful when you can't get directly to the parts that need
lubricating. Be aware though that you may be disolving or flushing away
grease with any oil or solvent that you apply.

~PB

landotter? said:

...You can get it at boring places like Lowe's....

I would like Lowe's a lot more if they would let me ride my trike around
the store. 😉

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

A Muzi said:

Quoted message said:

Jon Forrest said:

I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
when to use oil.
At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
move, and oil for places where things do move.
But, I'm not sure if this is correct.
What's the [censored]?

landotter said:

Grease is for bearings, threads, and interfaces like seatposts.
Lighter lubricant is good for cables, pivots, chains and the like. I
don't like oil, preferring a light "dry" lube for these purposes. My
preference is Dupont Multi-purpose lube. It's the cleanest I've used,
attracting virtually no dirt. You can get it at boring places like
Lowe's. Alternately, motor oil thinned with some paint thinner is
cheap and effective--and far better than "3:1". Buy grease in tubs at
the automotive store, you can draw a picture of a bicycle on the label
with a ball point pen if you want to make it bike specific.

Your preferred grease may be available in a tube for the same or not
much higher price. Tubes help immensely to avoid contamination. Anyone
who's thrown out a half-used kilo of Campagnolo white grease would
gladly spend a few cents more for a tube.

Dilettante~! ;-)

I invert a strong 1L zip lock bag, and scoop out a fist full of grease
as if I'm cleaning up after my dog, then invert, zip shut, and snip a
tiny corner off the bag, and voila!--piping bag! Seriously, works
great!

On Nov 26, 8:05 pm, Tom Sherman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

landotter? said:

...You can get it at boring places like Lowe's....

I would like Lowe's a lot more if they would let me ride my trike around
the store. 😉

Well, you can walk it in. They never had a problem with me taking my
bike with me at the Chicago North Avenue store.

landotter said:

On Nov 26, 8:05 pm, Tom Sherman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

landotter? said:

...You can get it at boring places like Lowe's....

Quoted message said:

I would like Lowe's a lot more if they would let me ride my trike around
the store. 😉

Well, you can walk it in. They never had a problem with me taking my
bike with me at the Chicago North Avenue store.

But those riding trikes must be accompanied by an adult. ;-)

Ozark Bicycle said:

landotter said:

On Nov 26, 8:05 pm, Tom Sherman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

landotter? wrote:
> ...You can get it at boring places like Lowe's....
I would like Lowe's a lot more if they would let me ride my trike around
the store. 😉

Well, you can walk it in. They never had a problem with me taking my
bike with me at the Chicago North Avenue store.

But those riding trikes must be accompanied by an adult. ;-)

Who wants to be an adult? 😉

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

Jon Forrest said:

I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
when to use oil.

At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
move, and oil for places where things do move.
But, I'm not sure if this is correct.

I think the basic difference is that oil moves around more easily than
grease. In a car for example, anything inside the engine itself is
lubricated with oil which is sprayed around the place with a pump.
Anywhere that doesn't have access to that (inside the CV joints, or the
trackrond ends, for example), you want the slippery stuff to stay put so
you use grease.

Same idea on a bike-- oil for some of those hub gears which are sealed
from the outside and in which the oil is meant to slosh around. On a
normal hub you want grease though because the oil would just run out
onto the road.

For most things on a bike you want grease. A little bit of oil on the
chain, but that's just because it's light and grease would attract a
whole lot more grime. If you had a completely enclosed chain you would
either use grease or have the chain-cover partially filled with oil and
well-sealed so it sloshed around and circulated.

As far as lubrication goes, grease is better. It stays put longer and
does a better job of keeping metal surfaces apart under load.
Use oil in places that you cant apply grease to ie. where you need it
to flow between parts that you cant/don't want to disassemble.
Also grease might be too viscous for certain places. The only things I
can think of on a bike are freewheel pawls (ratchet mechanism) and
possibly brake cables tho I've never known anyone to try that.

walmart may sell Castrol Marine grease - a light tan or biege color.
Excellent for normal not GP bike mechanics: hubs, pulley wheels,
cables if you live in the desert,
the seat post gets Linseed and anti sieze mixed.
If your frame is steel, Linseed oil goes over the scratches and on
plated surfaces like axle threads, nut.
the slow moving joints on grips and brake mechanisms, cables/housing
benefit from Finish Line Dry lube, a teflon wax. Place a 3/8ths
bearing in the bottle for shaking teflon into the mix.
The FL is remarkable on sliding joints like a sliding lock hasp b ut
useless on fast moving parts where multiple interactions and heat
occur, like on a chain. wax on a chain is an extreme measure for lazy
people who can't clean chains but can afford new parts every 6 months.
Valvoline synthetic gear lube is a terrific chain oil like FL Epic but
cheaper.

Per datakoll:

Quoted message said:

GP

?
--
PeteCresswell

(PeteCresswell) said:

Per datakoll:>GP

?
--
PeteCresswell

Geeee Peeeee GP GP<> opposite touring/commuter but not "racer road"
or radoneur
Conti markets GP tires
means "BIG PRIZE"
turn over a few rocks and you'll find mechanics hereabouts won't fry
eggs in anything but genuwine Campy or Shimano grease caws that's GP
boat trailer grease? sheeeet....

In article <[email hidden]>,

A Muzi said:

Quoted message said:

Jon Forrest said:

I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
when to use oil.
At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
move, and oil for places where things do move.
But, I'm not sure if this is correct.
What's the [censored]?

landotter said:

Grease is for bearings, threads, and interfaces like seatposts.
Lighter lubricant is good for cables, pivots, chains and the like. I
don't like oil, preferring a light "dry" lube for these purposes. My
preference is Dupont Multi-purpose lube. It's the cleanest I've used,
attracting virtually no dirt. You can get it at boring places like
Lowe's. Alternately, motor oil thinned with some paint thinner is
cheap and effective--and far better than "3:1". Buy grease in tubs at
the automotive store, you can draw a picture of a bicycle on the label
with a ball point pen if you want to make it bike specific.

Your preferred grease may be available in a tube for the same or not
much higher price. Tubes help immensely to avoid contamination. Anyone
who's thrown out a half-used kilo of Campagnolo white grease would
gladly spend a few cents more for a tube.

I have a 4 fluid ounce grease gun with a needle fitting.
It is a joy to use. It puts the grease where I want the
grease with no muss, no fuss.
I fill it from an automotive parts store tub-o-grease.
The tub remains clean.

Price $20.

--
Michael Press

Michael Press said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

A Muzi said:

Quoted message said:

Jon Forrest <[email hidden]> wrote:
> I'm learning how to overhaul bikes. Although I have
> the usual books which tell me what to do, I'm curious
> about the reasoning behind when to use grease or
> when to use oil.
> At first I was thinking that grease is for keeping
> rust away from metal parts that touch but don't
> move, and oil for places where things do move.
> But, I'm not sure if this is correct.
> What's the [censored]?

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

Grease is for bearings, threads, and interfaces like seatposts.
Lighter lubricant is good for cables, pivots, chains and the like. I
don't like oil, preferring a light "dry" lube for these purposes. My
preference is Dupont Multi-purpose lube. It's the cleanest I've used,
attracting virtually no dirt. You can get it at boring places like
Lowe's. Alternately, motor oil thinned with some paint thinner is
cheap and effective--and far better than "3:1". Buy grease in tubs at
the automotive store, you can draw a picture of a bicycle on the label
with a ball point pen if you want to make it bike specific.

Quoted message said:

Your preferred grease may be available in a tube for the same or not
much higher price. Tubes help immensely to avoid contamination. Anyone
who's thrown out a half-used kilo of Campagnolo white grease would
gladly spend a few cents more for a tube.

I have a 4 fluid ounce grease gun with a needle fitting.
It is a joy to use. It puts the grease where I want the
grease with no muss, no fuss.
I fill it from an automotive parts store tub-o-grease.
The tub remains clean.

Price $20.

--
Michael Press- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Go with Press: An accurate gun saves a lot of learning time, produces
best results for the beginner.
A tube is still useable: use a spoon or spatula. Does your Mom or wife
have a favorite? steal it!