Picking the best bike grease is as important as buying a good bike. This is because regular use of bike grease is an integral part of bike maintenance which will enhance the life of your bike.
Given the abundance of grease options for bottom bracket bike bearing, it can be a bit overwhelming which one to choose for your bike. This is why we have compiled the list of the best bike greases you can buy and enhance the longevity of your bike.
Most bikers are unaware of the bike grease for bottom bracket on their bike. This is not a surprise as there are just so many options to choose from.
Bottom Bracket Bike bearing needs to be lubed regularly to enhance the performance of the bike. Regular use of grease will make the bike run as efficiently as possible. If you are one of those people unsure about which bike grease is best for your bike, you have come to the right place.
This article is a complete guide to the best grease for bottom bracket bike bearing.
5 Best Greases for Bike Bearing
With so many options to choose from, it can be quite a challenge to pick the right bike bearing grease. As experienced biker with more than a decade of cycling experience, I have compiled a list of the 5 best bike greases. You can pick any one of the five according to your budget and availability.
Park Tool PolyLube 1000 Bicycle Grease
Park Tool PolyLube 1000 bicycle grease is one of my all time favorites. I use it regularly and am most impressed by it. A little goes a long way with this bike grease. I cycle in different types of terrains and weathers. Park Tool PolyLube has been my go to grease as it lasts a long time. This means that you can actually save money as you don’t have to apply again and again.
Park Tool PolyLube 1000 uses polyurea lubricant. This is very effective against corrosion and stains. I myself have noticed how effective the bike bearing is after application.
For those looking to bike in challenging conditions, this lubricant is a great choice. The grease repels moisture, which means you can take the bike, after applying it with Park Tool grease, in wet conditions with confidence.
Another thing I like about this grease is that it comes in different packaging. This is great news if you are trying to save as buying the bigger packaging may take a big chunk out of your pocket. The grease is expensive compared to other options in the market but I have noticed that a little goes a long way. Even a small tube will last you a long time as you don’t have to reapply a lot.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Not Buy |
| High sheer strength works great in extreme conditions | Pricey |
| Repels moisture | |
| Comes in different sizes | |
| Polyurea lubricant is effective against corrosion |
Finish Line Premium Grease with Teflon
Finish Line Premium Grease with Teflon is the second grease I recommend. It is infused with teflon which is great in extreme conditions. A lot of professional bikers use this grease because it just works so well, for them.
Finish Line grease is waterproof. A lot of the times, after applying grease, it can rain. Rain and water can wash away the effects of the grease. However, as this grease is waterproof, water won’t affect it. For those cyclists who cycle in different terrains, this is a go to product. Another great feature of this grease is that it can also be applied to other parts of the bike like hubs. This makes it a versatile product.
One thing to mention here is that the grease does not come with an applicator. This makes the process of applying it on the bearing a bit clumsy. You also need to apply pressure on the tube like a toothpaste. This may be make or break for some people, so I felt it important to mention it.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Not Buy |
| Fully waterproof | Application process a bit troublesome |
| Prevents rust and corrosion | |
| Teflon works great in extreme conditions | |
| Can be used on headsets and hubs as well |
White Lightning Crystal Grease Biodegradable
White Lightling Crystal Grease is a unique grease than other options in the market. This is because it is clear and odorless. Clear grease means that it won’t stain the place where you apply it. A lot of people also don’t like the smell of the grease.
For them, White Lightning Grease is a great option as it is odorless. Another good thing is that it comes with an applicator, which makes applying the grease very easy.
One thing I noticed about this grease, unlike the other two mentioned above, is that it does not not last long. You have to reapply it regularly as it just doesn’t have the staying power. That is not to say that it is not good. It’s just that compared to the other two options I mentioned above, this one is a bit low on lasting power.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Not Buy |
| Biodegradable and waterproof | Doesn’t last long |
| Odorless | |
| Non toxic | |
| Crystal clear grease doesn’t stain |
Park Tool HPG-1 High Performance Bicycle Grease
Park Tool HPG-1 High Performance Bicycle Grease is the second Park Tool grease in this list of the best bike greases. This is how highly I rate the brand. This particular product is made for high performance bikes.
This comes at a price though as the grease is more expensive than other options in the market. However, if you are a professional and want the very best, then you can’t go wrong with Park Tool HPG-1 High Performance bicycle grease.
It is water resistant. This means that it will withstand water to some extent. However, it is not waterproof. The grease is made for extreme temperature range from -20°F to 540°F. This makes the grease a great option for places with snow or extreme heat.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Not Buy |
| Made for high performance bikes and components | Pricey |
| Extreme temperature range: -20°F to 540°F | Not waterproof |
| Water resistant | |
| Effective application process |
SHIMANO Dura-Ace Grease
SHIMANO is a well renowned brand which is popular among bikers. They are manufacturers of bike components such as gears and hubs.
The Dura Ace grease is top of the line grease product from the brand. The grease does not degrade easily and can withstand exposure to water and dirt for a long time. It is easy to apply and lasts a long time.
However, it comes in 50g jar and for the price, the quantity is quite less. You don’t need to reapply often though as the grease does last a long time.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Not Buy |
| Renowned brand | Quantity is less for the price |
| Doesn’t degrade easily | Only comes in 50g |
| Easy to apply | |
| Withstands exposure to water and dirt |
Factors to Consider When Buying Bike Grease
Now that you know the 5 best bike greases for bottom bracket bike bearing, let us discuss the factors you must consider before buying bike grease. Knowing this will allow you to make a calculated decision on which bike grease to go with.
Know the type of Grease
There are a number of greases in the markets for bottom bracket bike bearing. It is extremely important to know the type of greases.
The most common type of grease is the lithium grease. It is available all over the market and is versatile. Lithium grease can withstand exposure to heat, water and dirt, making it very reliable. You also get the polyurea grease. The Park Tool PolyLube 1000 is an example of the polyurea grease. Polyurea grease is reliable against corrosion which is a desirable trait to have in a grease.
Resistance against elements
A lot of greases offer features such as water resistance and the ability to withstand extreme temperatures. Water resistance is a useful feature to have in a grease as this will help the grease last longer. Water won’t break down the grease.
Waterproof is better than water resistant. Water resistant greases for bottom bracket can withstand water to a certain time. Ultimately, water will break through the resistance. Waterproof, however, will withstand water for a very long time. So you can see if the grease you are buying has this feature or not.
Bottom bracket greases can break down in extreme weather fluctuations. Extreme cold and heat can break down the grease, meaning you will have to reapply it on the bearing. Therefore, opt for greases which offer protection against the varying temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often must I apply grease to my bike?
The answer depends on the type of grease you have. For example, if you pick a grease from the list above, you won’t have to apply the grease too often. This is because these greases can withstand temperature fluctuation, are water resistant and can last a long time.
I normally like to maintain my bike regularly. I usually apply grease to my bike bottom bracket every couple of months. However, you can even go longer periods depending on how often you bike and what sort of terrain you bike on.
Can the grease stain my bike?
This is a concern many people have that the bike will get stained after applying the grease. This can be avoided if you opt for a good quality grease which do not stain the bike bearing.
Greases are important for bike maintenance and increasing the longevity of the bike. Therefore, you must not forget to grease regularly thinking that greasing will stain the bottom bracket bike bearing or any other part of the bike.
