Where to Grease a Bike

Grease where parts are clamped or threaded, oil where they move, and nothing on the brakes.

Grease and oil do different jobs on a bike. Oil is thin and gets into moving joints. Grease is thick and stays put, so it protects threads, seals out water and stops parts seizing together. The right one in the right place makes a bike quieter, easier to work on and far less likely to creak.

Where grease goes

Threads

Pedal threads, bottom bracket cups, crank bolts, stem and handlebar bolts, bottle cage bolts and rack bolts. A thin smear stops them seizing, especially in UK winter, and lets you torque them correctly. On carbon parts, follow the maker's guidance, as many need carbon assembly paste rather than grease.

Seatposts

Grease an alloy or steel seatpost before fitting it into an alloy or steel frame. A dry seatpost can corrode in place and become almost impossible to remove. Use carbon paste if the frame or post is carbon.

Bearings

Hubs, headsets and bottom brackets run on grease. When you service them, clean out the old grease and repack with fresh, water-resistant grease. Ballistol multi-purpose grease is water-resistant and stable from -30°C to +120°C. Sealed cartridge bearings are usually replaced rather than regreased.

Quick releases and thru-axles

A light smear on the axle and the cam stops creaking and corrosion.

Where oil goes, not grease

  • Chain: a dedicated chain lube. See bike chain lube.
  • Gear and brake cables: a drop of light oil where the inner cable enters the outer.
  • Derailleur pivots and jockey wheels: a drop of oil, wiped off.
  • Brake lever and caliper pivots: a tiny drop, well clear of pads and rotors.

Ballistol Universal Oil suits cables, pivots and bolts, and protects exposed steel from rust.

Where neither should go

Brake discs, pads, rim braking surfaces and tyres. If grease or oil gets on them, clean discs with brake cleaner and replace contaminated pads, which usually can't be saved.

Suspension

Fork stanchions and dropper posts need a dry, low-friction finish, not grease on the outside. Dry PTFE spray keeps them sliding smoothly. Internal servicing should follow the fork maker's instructions.

Questions people ask

What grease should I use on my bike?
A water-resistant multi-purpose grease for threads and bearings. Use carbon assembly paste instead on carbon frames and parts.
Should I grease my bike chain?
No. Use a chain lube. Grease is too thick to get into the chain rollers and collects dirt.
Do I grease pedal threads?
Yes. A thin smear stops pedals seizing in the cranks and makes them easier to remove later.
Should I grease my seatpost?
Grease alloy or steel posts in alloy or steel frames. Use carbon paste if either the post or the frame is carbon.

Related uses

Bike Chain Lube and Lubricant: Which to UseThe right bike chain lubricant for the weather, in the right amount, applied the right way. How to Free Seized Nuts and BoltsPatience and penetrating oil free more seized bolts than brute force ever does. Motorbike Winter StorageDo it properly in November and the bike rides away in March without a fight.All Ballistol usesBrowse every application

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