Cycling UK Forum

I have replaced and regreased both my wheel hub bearings on my road bike today having bought some Shell Gadus grease that is well regarded around here.

But I am disappointed to find that it is black. A controversial colour, especially as I did this work in the kitchen because of the rain. My previous Halford's own brand was colourless, or rather just a light brown. Not sure it comes in other colours, but black stains everything, including your hands.

On the subject of bearings, I decided it was time to take a look at the hubs as I could hear the balls moving around as the wheel turned, and this was markedly louder than in the past.

The wheel was smooth, and I doubted there was no lubricant in there. When I opened up the rear hub the grease that remained was quite fluid and notably whitish grey in colour (this was the Halfords stuff). The bearings on the non-drive side were no longer packed in grease, although they were coated in this white-grey oil.

This bike has had some hard use since I last did the wheel, probably in September: some winter riding, washing, and an 850 mile tour in France.

It could be that this is what happens to bearings if you use a cheap grease.

I always stuff as much grease as I can into the wheels, so I suppose black gunge will be coming out of the hubs for a few months.

anything newly white-ish could be a sign of water in the hub. IME black greases are black because of the solid lubricants they contain. I think you need solid lubricants in bicycle grease because bearing speeds are always low. If you want something a bit cleaner, still with solid lubricants, maybe you should look at finish line greases. They do two greases which could be of interest; one contains PTFE and the other contains 'white graphite' -hexagonal BN, which is an 'electron analogue' of graphite. Both greases use a highly viscous synthetic oil too. The main thing about these greases which is sub-optimal is the price; they are both pretty spendy. They are still good value though; if using better grease spares just one component, it has more than paid for itself.

I am actually pleased to be using Gadus grease, even if it is black. I think it is a much more quality product than Halfords own brand: notably more viscous: less lumpy, more smooth. So I have done a few wheels with it now. I think the forum recommendation was a good one.

Which grease was it? (There are several different technologies in the Gadus range.)

Thanks

Jonathan

Brucey wrote: ↑10 Jul 2024, 10:54am If you want something a bit cleaner, still with solid lubricants, maybe you should look at finish line greases. They do two greases ......... one contains PTFE and the other contains 'white graphite' -hexagonal BN, which is an 'electron analogue' of graphite.

Just been checking this out.....as PTFE not very planet friendly. Which grease uses ' white graphite'?

Premium Grease is the Teflon/PTFE one and their other is Ceramic Grease.....but I can't find any mention of white graphite?

hoogerbooger wrote: ↑2 Aug 2024, 11:29am....... PTFE not very planet friendly. Which grease uses ' white graphite'?Premium Grease is the Teflon/PTFE one and their other is Ceramic Grease.....but I can't find any mention of white graphite?

last time I checked (which is admittedly a while ago) the 'ceramic' in ceramic grease was hexagonal BN aka. 'white graphite'. Pretty much anything that is finely divided has to potential to be harmful, and when correctly used I don't think the PTFE grease is about to kill the planet. The consequences of inadequate lubrication are much less planet-friendly.

Hexagonal boron nitride has a graphitic structure and is sometimes called white graphene:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron_nit ... orm_(h-BN)
https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6217

Jonathan

Brucey wrote: ↑2 Aug 2024, 2:21pm

hoogerbooger wrote: ↑2 Aug 2024, 11:29am....... PTFE not very planet friendly. Which grease uses ' white graphite'?Premium Grease is the Teflon/PTFE one and their other is Ceramic Grease.....but I can't find any mention of white graphite?

Pretty much anything that is finely divided has to potential to be harmful, and when correctly used I don't think the PTFE grease is about to kill the planet. The consequences of inadequate lubrication are much less planet-friendly.

Thanks for replying & I note your point. There are lots of things we do that on their own aren't big shakes for the planet......but we are a few billion doing unhelpful stuff.... so if there is a better option I would like to do it. I understand many won't ( & on this count, I'm glad I don't have children)

...if we're going down the rabbit hole of which grease is kinder to make earth we may also have to consider the behaviour of the company which is making the stuff

https://internationaltimes.it/5-years-s ... to-sue-me/

https://www.laohamutuk.org/OilWeb/Compa ... 20text.htm

Jdsk wrote: ↑1 Aug 2024, 10:54pm Which grease was it? (There are several different technologies in the Gadus range.)

Thanks

Jonathan

It's Gadus S2 V220AD 'high performance multipurpose extreme pressure grease with solids'. Which all sounds a bit over the top, but seems to be a distinct improvement over the cheap stuff.

Thankyou

Jonathan