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Replacing the bearings in my frame, due to some proprietary bearing I couldn't get skf/Enduro/maxx bearings l. Want to pack the new ones with decent grease to give them the best chance of a longer life, what's the best grease to go for.
Thanks
I use MobilXHP222 for all bike greasing duties, because it's ace, and because they have it in stores at work.... ahem.
Another vote for XHP222, but in truth, any ludicrously thick, waterproof, agricultural grease will do the job here. The thicker and stickier the better.
I use Bel Ray marine grease.
Carbon friendly, thick as glue, great for sus bearings a well as many other things. The tub will last me a life time I reckon.
Not even that expensive, £18 for a big tub.
You've got more than one bearing. Try two or more greases and and report back in a year or two. I've always been tempted to try a silicone grease because it won't ever wash out... but the flipside is that if it gets contaminated you'll have b*gger all chance of flushing it out.
I've tried blue "bike marketed" bearing grease (Exus E-G01) but it is mostly pitched for low friction wheel bearing applications which probably means it is runnier than ideal for a long lasting life in pivot bearings. Key word is "ideal" which may be overcomplicating the question; adding a suitable packing of any decent grease to a factory sparse fill of lube is probably a good thing for this application.
Thanks guys, I'll check them out
I've also just looked into those 2 greases as I need something in A bugger quantity as the park tool gets expensive.
How so you know the mobil and betray grease is carbon safe guys?
How so you know the mobil and betray grease is carbon safe guys?
Because it's not something I'd worry about.
How so you know the mobil and betray grease is carbon safe guys?
Because it’s not something I’d worry about.
Seconded. I think any lithium grease, marine would tick an extra box, but if you stuff the bearings full of it there's no space for water/grit. I'd be far more worried about a carbon frame that would fall to bits from getting grease on than my grease being "carbon safe" (although not got any carbon MTB frames yet so not an issue)
That said, it probably takes longer to pack the bearings with grease than to replace them, and while it will extend the life it won't make them last forever. So I tend to just chuck new bearings in unless I'm desperately trying to eek a bit more life out while I wait for replacements.
I wouldn't repack an old bearing, I agree, but I pack new ones before fitting. I've popped a few seals off new bearings previously to find a disappointing amount of grease in there, Hope ones were the worst tbh.
I'd recommend the pink stuff that Muc-Off do.
I wouldnt use silicone as I doubt it has the load rating needed for a pivot bearing.
Mobil for me too as I have it for my wheel bearings and +1 for packing bearings from new.
For other areas I try to use more environmentally friendly products (green oil) - especially if the grease will be more exposed or the parts will be taken apart often. I am tempted to try a lanolin based grease when my stocks of mobil run out. I might ask Si at green oil if he has any load specs for his yellow stuff too.
Cheers ordered some 222 for a tenner
I emailed Belray to ask about any issues with carbon.
The confirmed its used on carbon fibre racing yachts etc.
Personally, owning a bike with a carbon frame and other carbon bits,I wanted to know 100% it was ok.
YT even state that that the grease used must be carbon friendly so I took a better safe than sorry approach.
Just bought the Belray stuff from here for £12.15.
I wouldn't over-think this. Any general purpose grease would do IMHO and maybe some marine grease for better lastability in wet weather. It's just a pivot bearing which needs something a bit thicker then oil but is still low temp and fairly low pressures with intermittent movement.
Suspension pivots don't see full rotations, so you can get away with some nice sticky chod to prevent it washing out and for better resistance to water penetration.