Alternatives to Oil?

[jam05]

Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on how we are going to lubricate and grease our bicycles when oil runs out. I don't want a debate about peak oil here (read the literature) but was hoping if anyone could suggest decent alternatives to oil based products.

What will Mick F use when White Lightning is £250.00 a bottle?

Beeswax?

[Bob S]

Goose grease, and good for rubbing on chest for cold's etc. Or my mum used to advocate it.

[Mick F]

Beeswax?

I thought bees were on the decline too!

Good question, though. How about lanolin? That comes from sheep wool.

[hamster]

There was some stuff called (if I remember right) Green Lube in C+ this month, it's vegetable oil based.

[lauriematt]

There was some stuff called (if I remember right) Green Lube in C+ this month, it's vegetable oil based.

i was about to say Veg oil!
seems as if its the modern thing to run cars on these days

[byegad]

Castrol is so called as it was originally derived from Castor Oil. So we could go back to using that if need be. However, IMHO lubricating oil is not where the pinch is going to be felt, it will be fuel oils becoming too expensive to use that hots first by a long chalk.

[nigel_s]

Early steam locomotives were lubricated with tallow - animal fat. I guess it could be used on bike chains.

Another issue is fuel for making steel and aluminium. Bamboo frames and wooden wheels anyone?

[hubgearfreak]

Another issue is fuel for making steel and aluminium. Bamboo frames and wooden wheels anyone?

when fuel is so scarce that we can't refine the (few kilos required of) steel for a bike, it's all over i fear. i doubt that ships will come half round the world with bamboo in that case

[cranky]

when fuel is so scarce that we can't refine the (few kilos required of) steel for a bike, it's all over i fear. i doubt that ships will come half round the world with bamboo in that case

Haven't you heard about Global Warming? Give it a few years and you'll be able to grow your own bamboo!!



Iain

[7_lives_left]

Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on how we are going to lubricate and grease our bicycles when oil runs out.

Graphite!

Once upon a time you used to be able to get this stuff called graphite grease. I am not sure but I believe it's main advantage is that it worked well under harsh conditions (extreme temperature?). Maybe nowadays it has been replace by PTFE. Can anyone more knowledgeable confrm this?

(of course graphite is probably a finite resource too...)

[stoobs]

Perhaps we should start whaling again?

I'll get me coat

[Beakyboy]

We use a graphite powder on our krabs which helps to 'dry' lubricate them, it's called 'slik dik'.

[7_lives_left]

We use a graphite powder on our krabs which helps to 'dry' lubricate them, it's called 'slik dik'.

What is a 'Krab'? Is that a carabiner?

[david143]

when fuel is so scarce that we can't refine the (few kilos required of) steel for a bike, it's all over i fear. i doubt that ships will come half round the world with bamboo in that case

Haven't you heard about Global Warming? Give it a few years and you'll be able to grow your own bamboo!!



Iain

You can now!

[Beakyboy]

We use a graphite powder on our krabs which helps to 'dry' lubricate them, it's called 'slik dik'.

What is a 'Krab'? Is that a carabiner?

Yeah sorry