The Best Greases for Bottom Bracket You Must Have

Choosing the best grease for bottom bracket usage can be a frustrating experience. It’s not a thing bike owners take much time to think about when buying their bikes. However, these products are crucial to ensure a bike lasts and runs as effectively as possible.

But their importance has led to a massive amount of available options. It has caused many bike owners to stress when deciding what grease is best for their needs. Our article will help you answer this question with a detailed buying guide.

It’ll boil down this entire process to several key considerations. As a result, product selection will become a lot easier for everyone. Here’s a little preview of those discussions to provide you with a head start:

I’ve also compiled and reviewed 5 of my favorite bottom bracket grease products. These reviews will provide further insight into what to expect in the marketplace. Read them and our buying guide, and there won’t be any surprises when you start to conduct your search.

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List of Top 5 Grease for Bottom Bracket Reviews

1. Park Tool PolyLube 1000 Bicycle Grease

Park Tool’s PolyLube 1000 Bicycle Grease begins this list with a rather impressive starting point as its polyurea formula offers outstanding performance. For instance, it’ll have no issues helping a bike stay in good shape and protected from scraping or corrosion.

It has done a solid job protecting my bike consistently in less-than-ideal situations. I ride my bike daily, even in extreme temperatures, whether it’s blistering hot or frigidly cold. The grease hasn’t needed re-appliance with this heavy usage, which I can only attribute to its high shear strength.

Buyers shouldn’t overlook its effective water-resistance capabilities, either. It repels water with ease and doesn’t run off when going through large puddles or encountering rain. I didn’t have to reapply once last summer, even though it was raining almost daily.

Aside from its performance quality, the product’s versatility was another massive benefit. This multi-purpose bottom bracket lube is usable and protects most metals. In other words, I can apply it to cranks, pedals, hubs, ball bearings, and many other bike-related applications.

It’s also rather convenient from a buying perspective as it comes in two varieties. Each buyer can select a 4 oz tube or a 16 oz tube. So it shouldn’t have much trouble meeting the quantity needs of most bike owners looking to buy bottom bracket lubrication.

 Heads-up:  My only issue was with the application process. Honestly, it was a lot messier than expected, so it took a little longer to apply to my bike. A few other customers alluded to this issue within their reviews.

 Bottom Line:  But I’m not going to spend much time complaining about the application process. The other impressive features and performance more than make up for it. Overall, it’s a solid bottom bracket grease that most buyers will love using.

2. Park Tool HPG-1 High Performance Bicycle Grease

This next option, Park Tool’s HPG-1 High Performance Bicycle Grease, was explicitly made for high-end performance bikes. It’ll have no trouble being a grease for bottom bracket carbon frame, ceramic bearing, pivot, or suspension parts.

One of the main reasons for its usefulness within these cases is its water resistance. It won’t come across a situation where it won’t be ready to ensure a bike’s protection. So users can rest easy knowing that it won’t wash out when going through a puddle or rainstorm.

I was also delighted by this product’s high-quality adherence. It didn’t have a single issue staying on my bike’s bottom bracket bearings. As a result, it has managed to provide reliable long-term protection that ensures my bike remains in good shape.

Extreme temperatures don’t have much effect on this grease, either. In this capacity, I don’t think anyone who buys it will end up having any issues. After all, its temperature range is extensive, starting from-20°F to 540°F.

Applying this grease to my bike was a breeze, as well. Park Tool did a solid job incorporating a small tip and noticeable color to make this process smooth and easy. I can’t imagine anyone having difficulty with it, even new bike owners.

 Heads-up:  However, this option has one downside: it comes with a higher price tag. It’s not shocking as the features and performance are second to none. Buyers will need to decide whether these attributes are worth spending a little extra.

 Bottom Line:  In my case, I have no issues with the higher price tag. I’m always willing to pay a little extra when a product manages to outpace much of its competition. This bike grease certainly meets this qualification.

3. Finish Line Premium Grease with Teflon

The Finish Line Premium Grease With Teflon is an exciting addition to our list. It stands out from the competition with a unique formula that’s Teflon-infused. As a result, it’s more capable of functioning well in extreme conditions than most other grease products.

The grease is also known for doing an excellent job of preventing corrosion or rust. It’s embedded with rust and corrosion inhibitors to ensure they’re a non-issue. I can’t say anything to refute these claims as my bike hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down after application.

I was impressed by the product’s thicker texture and overall longevity, as well. The grease managed to last an entire year on my bike without applying more to it. I wasn’t the only one impressed by its protection, as multiple buyers gave similar praise within their reviews.

This product excels when it comes to avoiding washouts and water damage. It’s entirely waterproof to ensure wet conditions do not affect it. It’s essentially a marine grease for bikes as not even saltwater can cause breakthroughs in its protection.

I can’t go much further without mentioning its product versatility, either. It doesn’t have any issues working on bottom brackets, hubs, headsets, and other bike components. In addition, the grease maintains its performance quality and keeps wear/tear to an absolute minimum.

 Heads-up:  I have to admit the lack of an applicator tip was slightly annoying, though. It makes applying it to smaller areas, such as ball-bearing races, more complex.

 Bottom Line:  Despite not having an applicator tip, I still was more than happy with this grease. It functioned well and didn’t stumble when facing extreme pressure or conditions. There isn’t much else I could want from a grease used to lube bottom bracket components.

4. White Lightning Biodegradable Crystal Grease

It’s hard for me not to be excited about White Lightning’s Biodegradable Crystal Grease. After all, the product employs a biodegradable, non-toxic formula. It meshes perfectly with my needs as a person who considers themselves environmentally conscious.

More importantly, this biodegradable formula excels where most similar products fail. It has no issues providing the protection I want in grease for BMX bicycles or mountain bikes.

I found myself intrigued by its clear coloring, as well. This attribute ensures the grease doesn’t produce staining, which is annoying with other options. It also avoids another common issue associated with grease, namely pungent odors, by being odorless.

This product’s known for its fully waterproof capabilities, too, which are crucial. It has no issues hanging tough in the muckiest, rainiest conditions. For instance, I have a friend who swears by this grease, and he takes his bike on outdoor, muddy trails.

Another benefit worth mentioning is its convenient application process. It comes with a trimmable tip on its tube container to make it even more user-friendly. Plus, the grease offers endless practicality as I can use it on almost every bike part, such as seals, bearings, paint, carbon fiber, and more.

 Heads-up:  But I noticed that the product’s a bit stickier than other bike greases. If applied without using gloves, it’ll adhere to a user’s hands and become a nuisance to get off. I learned my lesson when making the first application without covering my hands.

 Bottom Line:  Once I knew of its stickiness, it was easy to avoid. I just put on some gloves, and everything else about this grease became more practical. It’s not hard to see why it has such a solid reputation among bike owners.

5. WPL All-Purpose Bicycle Grease

Our final option, WPL All-Purpose Bicycle Grease, is easy to love. It earns this distinction by having an all-purpose, biodegradable formula. As a result, it has a long list of applications ranging from bike grease for pedals to bike chains.

It’s even compatible with rubber and rubber derivatives for more versatility. Therefore, I can use it to add protection onto seals, cracks, or seal swelling. Honestly, the possibilities for using this grease are almost endless.

As for its performance, I adore its ability to reduce friction when applying it to my bike. This aspect helped improve my riding experience significantly by making it much smoother. It ended up feeling like I had a whole new bicycle.

The application process was also relatively straightforward and easy. WPL made sure to make this grease ultra-slippery, making it a lot more user-friendly. Plus, it helps stop corrosion or rust from causing significant issues.

Bike owners will be happy with the available buying quantities, as well. Each person has a selection between 1-pound and 4-ounce. Due to this, WPL appeals to both bargain and bulk buyers.

 Heads-up:  Sadly, a few customers did report shipping issues with this option. The grease arrived in a busted-up container and caused some problems in these cases. Thankfully, mine came in great shape and within a sealed packaging.

 Bottom Line:  Overall, I wouldn’t put too much stock into these complaints. Most people who purchased this grease were delighted with its performance and packaging. But I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t mention these potential issues.

What to Look for When Buying Grease for Bottom Bracket

Selecting a suitable grease for a bike’s bottom bracket takes a little bit of research. But these following discussions will provide every piece of info necessary to choose a perfect one. It’ll end up being as simple as selecting a new pair of shoes.

Types

Our journey begins with discussing types of bike greases. It’s an essential starting point to ensure you know what kind fits your needs the best. Thankfully, it’s not too complicated as there are only four main types of bike greases for bottom brackets:

Temperature Handling

Some of the grease applied on your bike will experience extreme temperatures. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure it won’t start running off under these circumstances. It needs to handle both high heat and freezing cold without causing any damage to the bike.

I’d recommend looking at reviews for each grease to get a handle on their performance. These resources will provide some insight into how it deals with extreme temperatures. Your fellow customers are much more reliable than product descriptions.

Waterproof Capabilities

It’s impossible to stop a bike from getting exposed to water. So I suggest preparing for rainy days by choosing a water-resistant or waterproof bottom bracket bearing grease. These options will have no issues withstanding those watery situations.

More importantly, waterproof grease will protect a bike from corrosion. It’ll end up extending your bike’s lifespan by ensuring the bottom bracket remains in tip-top shape.

Some manufacturers will try to scam buyers. In other words, they’ll say a grease is waterproof when it’s not. You can avoid these options by sticking to products with pristine reputations, such as the ones mentioned within our article.

Cost

As with any product, bike greases will have various price tags. But there’s no reason anyone needs to spend an arm and a leg on these products. There are plenty of affordable options capable of greasing a bottom bracket effectively.

I’d also advise building a budget based on your specific needs. For instance, a person with a standard bike doesn’t need to spend extra on a higher-end grease. They don’t need a product like Park Tool’s HPG-1 High Performance Bicycle Grease.

So if you’re debating Park Tool High Performance Grease Vs Polylube, the cost and bike type should be deciding factors.

Versatility

Any high-quality bike grease will provide significant versatility. It’ll work as grease for cup and cone bearings, bottom brackets, a bike crank grease, grease for crankset, and various other applications. Its usefulness will help a buyer get the best bang for their buck possible.

Most manufacturers will make identifying this versatility relatively simple, as well. These brands will list their product’s uses right in the product description. Therefore, you can have a solid handle on what each option can provide without much issue.

How Often Should You Grease Your Bottom Bracket

The right frequency will depend on where and how much you ride. If you only ride occasionally in good weather, the answer could be never. Your bike could function perfectly and find itself with its original lubricants still intact for its next owner.

But people who commute daily in all types of weather need to keep up with maintenance. In these situations, your bike likely carries a film of road grit on its exterior painted parts. So it would be best if you assumed that this grit has also worked its way inside.

I’d recommend refreshing the grease at least on an annual basis during the spring. It’ll keep you from riding all summer with dirty grease, which can be problematic. Furthermore, anyone who passes through water deep enough to submerge the bottom bracket shouldn’t wait till spring.

The water has likely washed out the grease and replaced it with unwanted mud. So greasing needs to be done as soon as possible.

How Do I Stop My Bottom Bracket From Squeaking

Bottom bracket squeaking has been a thorn in the side of many bike owners. It can quickly make a peaceful bike ride a mind-numbing headache. So it’s essential to address this issue immediately to ensure your bike rides regain tranquility.

An easy method is removing the bottom bracket by taking out the lock ring, inner cup, spindle, and protective sleeve, among other components.

Once it’s removed, clean your frame’s threads and bottom bracket’s bicycle bearings. You can then re-grease both components using a bike assembly grease like Park Tool’s PolyLube 1000 Bicycle Grease.

Any top-notch grease for bike bearings shouldn’t have trouble stopping these annoying squeaks. Your vehicle will then return to being noise-free when riding down the street.

How Long Should Bottom Bracket Bearings Last

Bottom brackets, including their bearings, can last thousands of miles. The best ones can reach 10,000 miles without needing any replacement. But there’s significant variation regarding a bottom bracket’s longevity.

Some subpar ones with shoddy constructions will only last a few hundred miles. This estimate can shorten if the owner doesn’t practice regular maintenance. So make sure to keep brackets in good condition by being attentive owners.

It’s also wise to avoid situations that could cause durability concerns if possible. For instance, regularly riding a bike in mud can shrink your bottom bracket’s lifespan. Another problematic situation would be constant exposure to moisture and water.

One way to mitigate the damage caused is by greasing bottom brackets with MTB grease or any type that suits your bicycle once per year.

It’s also essential to ensure that maintenance takes place every season if you ride frequently.

What is the Difference Between Lithium Grease and White Lithium Grease

The difference between lithium grease and white grease isn’t all too complicated. White lithium greases have zinc oxide in their formulas and white color. On the other hand, standard lithium grease doesn’t contain either of these characteristics in its formula.

Furthermore, both lithium grease for bikes and white lithium based grease for bikes are usable on bottom brackets. They’ll provide solid protection and offer excellent weather resistance to ensure everything remains in good condition.

How Do You Grease a Bottom Bracket Without Removing It

I would advise against trying to grease a bottom bracket without removing it. Bikers are much better off detaching it from their bikes and applying the grease afterward. It’s the most effective way to ensure the bicycle bearings are adequately cleaned and lubricated.

One more notable tip is making sure the old grease is removed before applying new grease. If it’s not, the bike could face serious corrosion issues down the line.

Furthermore, I’d avoid using any bike grease alternative or bike grease substitute. I wouldn’t even use an anti seize lubricant or copper grease on it. This process should only be done with traditional grease.

Can I Use Lithium Grease on Bottom Bracket

Using lithium grease for bottom bracket maintenance is more than acceptable. In fact, one or two lithium greases almost made our product review section. So I’d venture to say I even encourage using them.

But if you’re unsure about using a specific lithium grease on bottom brackets, check out its product description. This resource will usually tell you what applications and components the grease can handle without issue.

Also if you are interested in bike chain maintenance then don’t forget to visit some of our quality reviews. such as the top-rated bike chain cleaner, degreaser and chain breaker tool.

Does the Color of Grease Mean Anything

The color of grease doesn’t signify anything regarding type or performance. Grease doesn’t change color from having polyurea or lithium formulas. Instead, manufacturers add dye into the grease for marketing purposes.

It allows buyers to distinguish one type from another within the product lines easily.

Conclusion

Hopefully, finding the best grease for bottom bracket will now be a breeze. Our buying guide and product review should’ve offered a clear picture of what grease most suits your needs. But if you’re still having issues, don’t hesitate to use our comment sections.

I’ll make sure to answer each post as soon as possible. Thanks for reading!