How to choose the right lubricant and grease for your bike?
A clean, well-lubricated bike means smooth gearing, precise shifting and protection against premature wear. Don't confuse lubrication with greasing: each component has its own specific needs.
Lubricants, grease? What's the difference?
Lubrication: For the transmission
The lubricant (oil or wax) reduces friction between chain, sprockets and chainrings. The choice depends exclusively on your riding conditions.
- Dry" oilcan: A light, fluid oil that doesn't trap dust or sand. It keeps the transmission clean, but requires more frequent application as it is sensitive to humidity.
- Wet" oilcan: A viscous, hydrophobic oil that resists rain and mud. It provides long-lasting protection against corrosion, but fouls the chain more quickly in dry weather.
- Wax lubricant (Wax): The high-performance alternative. It creates a dry film on the chain that completely repels dirt. Optimum performance, but initial application requires complete degreasing of the chain.
Grease: For bearings and assembly
Unlike lubricant, bike grease is thick and designed to stay in place on internal or fixed parts.
- Lithium / Universal grease: For ball bearings (hubs, headsets, bottom brackets). Ensures mechanical fluidity and seals against water infiltration.
- Teflon grease (PTFE): Ideal for cables, sheaths and lightly moving components. It leaves a protective film that reduces internal friction.
- Anti-Seize Grease: Indispensable for metal-on-metal assemblies (pedal bolts, aluminum seatposts). Prevents cold welding caused by oxidation.
Specific cases: Carbon and brakes
The assembly of certain modern components requires the use of dedicated products to avoid damaging the materials.
- Carbon assembly paste: Unlike conventional grease, this paste contains micro-particles that increase friction. It enables components (seatpost, handlebars) to be tightened at lower torques, thus avoiding crack the fiber.
- Brake cleaner: No greasy substances should touch your discs or pads. Use only a specific cleaner to degrease your braking surfaces without leaving residues.
Frequently asked questions?
Can I use conventional WD-40 to lubricate my chain? This is a common mistake. Original" WD-40 is a degreaser, not a long-lasting lubricant. It will clean your chain but evaporate very quickly, leaving the metal unprotected. Use only products from the "WD-40 Bike" range, or specific lubricants.
How often should I lubricate my chain? As a general rule, as soon as your drivetrain becomes noisy (metallic rattling). In practice: after every wet ride (after cleaning/drying) or every 150-200 km in dry weather.
Why do I need to wipe off excess lubricant after application? Lubrication must take place inside the links. Excess lubricant on the outside of the chain is of no mechanical use; on the contrary, it acts as a dust magnet, creating an abrasive paste that accelerates wear on your sprockets.
Is it necessary to grease the rails of a carbon saddle? No. For carbon saddle rails, use carbon-specific mounting paste. This will prevent the saddle from slipping and avoid unpleasant cracking without having to tighten the screws beyond the manufacturer's recommendations.
How do I know if my bearings are lacking grease? If you feel "hard spots" when you turn your handlebars or crankset when unloaded, or if you hear cracking noises when you exert yourself, it's time to disassemble and relubricate. A bearing that irreversibly "scratches" needs to be replaced.
Is wax really more effective than oil? Technically, yes. Friction tests show that wax offers better performance (more watts). Above all, it keeps the transmission perfectly clean to the touch. However, it does require more rigorous maintenance (application 3 hours before use to allow for drying).
ACCESSORIES - Lubricants and Grease
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Lubricant Ceramic Dry Conditions MUC-OFF C3 DRY WEATHER (50 ml)
Regular price 311,00 CZKRegular priceUnit price per -
DYNAMIC SLICK WAX Chain Lubricant (100ml)
Regular price 285,00 CZKRegular priceUnit price per -
DYNAMIC SLICK WAX Chain Wax Lubricant (250ml)
Regular price 596,00 CZKRegular priceUnit price per -
Lubricant Dry Conditions HUTCHINSON DRY LUBE (125ml)
Regular price 311,00 CZKRegular priceUnit price per -
DYNAMIC Carbon Component Assembly Paste (80g)
Regular price 311,00 CZKRegular priceUnit price per -
DYNAMIC FORK GREASE MTB (200ml)
Regular price 518,00 CZKRegular priceUnit price per -
DYNAMIC ALL ROUND GREASE (200ml)
Regular price 388,00 CZKRegular priceUnit price per -
DYNAMIC ALL ROUND LUBE - All Conditions (100ml)
Regular price 259,00 CZKRegular priceUnit price per
