General cheap lube

Craig321 · 27 Dec 2013 at 17:25

Hi,

I'm after a nice cheap, general lube for my bike after washing or after it has been particularly wet. Something to spray on moving parts like the levers, clutch pedal, stand pivot point etc.

I'd go for WD40 for these bits (I have Wurth for the chain), but heard a lot of people say it's not a good lubricant.

Needs to be cheap as I'll use it every week after I spray it down.

What about GT85?

Thanks.

Scythe · 27 Dec 2013 at 17:50

I tend to use a general purpose grease, whatever's lying around in the garage at the time.

The one I use tends to be a Castrol one, similar to the one I've linked, except mine is a tub from what looks to be the 80s. I only apply a tiny amount of the joints to prevent it getting everywhere.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_165705_productId_172551_langId_-1?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=lirmia&istBid=tzwt&_$$ja=cgid:8475776884%7Ctsid:35522%7Ccid:166296844%7Clid:50620143415%7Cnw:search%7Ccrid:33910835764%7Cdvc:c%7Cadp:1o3%7Cbku:1&gclid=CMrw1aj70LsCFeLHtAodph8AHA

ShakenNstirred · 27 Dec 2013 at 19:18

yeah don't use WD40 it will just wash out more of the old lube

Dogbreath · 28 Dec 2013 at 10:07

ShakenNstirred said:
yeah don't use WD40 it will just wash out more of the old lube

As will any penetrating lubricant. The kind of lubricant you need in pivots such as brake/clutch levers and side stands is grease rather than extremely thin oil. Spray grease can be useful for this, but be prepared to wipe up the mess afterwards.

WD40, GT85 et al are useful for removing water from areas vulnerable to corrosion, e.g. the heads of fasteners, electrical connections etc. and for removing grease, tar etc.

agnes · 28 Dec 2013 at 13:26

All purpose grease. Needs to be cleaned after application but it will give the best lubrication and protection.

BAcon · 28 Dec 2013 at 13:28

I use lithium grease on most things like that, its a good multi purpose grease that being quite thick stays in place compared to a spray lube.

Craig321 · 28 Dec 2013 at 14:17

Thanks all, think I'll pick up a tub of the Castrol stuff Scythe linked to. Looks cheap enough & 500g will last me ages.

BAcon · 28 Dec 2013 at 14:23

Craig321 said:
Thanks all, think I'll pick up a tub of the Castrol stuff Scythe linked to. Looks cheap enough & 500g will last me ages.

I didn't read his link, but yeh that will do the trick !

Craig321 · 28 Dec 2013 at 15:27

Took a ride into town. The grease is now in my collection of bike maintenance stuff

Thanks all.

.one. · 28 Dec 2013 at 16:20

Scythe said:
I tend to use a general purpose grease, whatever's lying around in the garage at the time.

The one I use tends to be a Castrol one, similar to the one I've linked, except mine is a tub from what looks to be the 80s. I only apply a tiny amount of the joints to prevent it getting everywhere.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_165705_productId_172551_langId_-1?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=lirmia&istBid=tzwt&_$$ja=cgid:8475776884%7Ctsid:35522%7Ccid:166296844%7Clid:50620143415%7Cnw:search%7Ccrid:33910835764%7Cdvc:c%7Cadp:1o3%7Cbku:1&gclid=CMrw1aj70LsCFeLHtAodph8AHA

I still have a tub of LM grease in my garage which I used at winter on bike chains over 20 years ago