correct grease for shifters etc.

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jules21
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correct grease for shifters etc.

Postby jules21 » Wed May 06, 2020 11:18 am

any tips on where to get grease for lubing shifters, maybe also freehubs?

not the heavy, viscous bearing grease that is commonly available for automotive use.

I've looked around a bit and can't find anything obviously suitable.

I'm talking about the lightweight grease you find in shifters, usually white in colour and won't cause all the delicate levers and stuff to stick together.

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Duck!
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Re: correct grease for shifters etc.

Postby Duck! » Wed May 06, 2020 12:35 pm

Shifters generally don't need greasing unless they're pretty old. Use a light spray grease to get into the guts. Use the same stuff for enclosed Shimano & similar freewheel bodies; for external pawl types many recommend oil rather than grease so as not to clog the pawls.
I had a thought, but it got run over as it crossed my mind.

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familyguy
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Re: correct grease for shifters etc.

Postby familyguy » Wed May 06, 2020 1:09 pm

I sometimes stick a little bit of lithium grease, which tends to be white, in Campagnolo shifters when I rebuild them, but only on certain parts. Certainly not as much as is in them when I pull them apart.

Usually for Shimano stuff I spray Lanox/Inox into them if I need to when they get stiff or they need to be unstuck. I've bought several sets of early Shimano brifters back to life with combo of WD40 and Lanox to loosen it all up, then Lanox to keep it moving nicely without tearing down.
Duck! wrote:
Wed May 06, 2020 12:35 pm
Shifters generally don't need greasing unless they're pretty old. Use a light spray grease to get into the guts. Use the same stuff for enclosed Shimano & similar freewheel bodies; for external pawl types many recommend oil rather than grease so as not to clog the pawls.
The Lanox is not spray grease, as such, but leaves a residual lubricant that seems to go OK for now. What would be the go-to?

Jim

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Duck!
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Re: correct grease for shifters etc.

Postby Duck! » Wed May 06, 2020 1:31 pm

I use a light grease from Motorex which they label 2000 Spray. It's light enough to soften old dry shifter grease and not gum stuff up, but sticky enough to stay put pretty well.
I had a thought, but it got run over as it crossed my mind.

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Tim
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Re: correct grease for shifters etc.

Postby Tim » Wed May 06, 2020 1:32 pm

Once every year or two I give my shifters a light spray with Boeshield T9 but only after they're about 5 years old.
Use the skinny little tube to direct the spray where it's needed.

warthog1
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Re: correct grease for shifters etc.

Postby warthog1 » Wed May 06, 2020 6:14 pm

Duck! wrote:
Wed May 06, 2020 1:31 pm
I use a light grease from Motorex which they label 2000 Spray. It's light enough to soften old dry shifter grease and not gum stuff up, but sticky enough to stay put pretty well.
Might get some
https://www.bikebiz.com.au/motorex-spray-2000
Thanks :)
Dogs are the best people :wink:

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familyguy
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Re: correct grease for shifters etc.

Postby familyguy » Wed May 06, 2020 10:34 pm

Ditto. Thanks Duck.

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jules21
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Re: correct grease for shifters etc.

Postby jules21 » Thu May 07, 2020 8:50 am

awesome. thanks all.

I initially thought BikeBiz was a new bike shop chain :D

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