Derailleur and brake cables - lube, grease, or nothing?
12-06-12, 06:09 PM
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Derailleur and brake cables - lube, grease, or nothing?
I just installed new shifter and brake housing, and new cables. I didn't apply any grease or lube on the cables. Should I?
12-06-12, 06:10 PM
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This one's sure to get some replies...
I Triflow my cables. Andy.
I Triflow my cables. Andy.
12-06-12, 06:13 PM
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I believe Campy and Shimano still recommend using grease on their cables, but they don't say what kind.
I often have problems with rust on the rear brake cable below the saddle. The rust binds with the cable housing and causes friction problems and poor brake performance. I suppose the rust is from sweat.
I often have problems with rust on the rear brake cable below the saddle. The rust binds with the cable housing and causes friction problems and poor brake performance. I suppose the rust is from sweat.
12-06-12, 06:18 PM
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I believe Campy and Shimano still recommend using grease on their cables, but they don't say what kind.
I often have problems with rust on the rear brake cable below the saddle. The rust binds with the cable housing and causes friction problems and poor brake performance. I suppose the rust is from sweat.
I often have problems with rust on the rear brake cable below the saddle. The rust binds with the cable housing and causes friction problems and poor brake performance. I suppose the rust is from sweat.
12-06-12, 06:31 PM
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I generally use a bit of phil wood grease on my cable... some cable housing comes with a bit of grease inside but adding more couldn't hurt, right?
12-06-12, 08:05 PM
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I don't recommend grease for current lined housings, brakes and derailleurs use light springs nowadays and the action may become sluggish. Older, unlined housings used grease.
Modern cables work OK without lube in my experience, but I like to apply a very thin coat of light oil.
Modern cables work OK without lube in my experience, but I like to apply a very thin coat of light oil.
12-06-12, 08:07 PM
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If this thread follows prior experience it will reach 4 or 5 pages quickly and include a lot of heated postings.
12-06-12, 08:14 PM
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I use either Dupont Multi-use Teflon Dry Wax lube or Rock n Roll's Cable Magic. I apply by spraying or dripping the lube onto a plastic bag, then pinching the cable with the plastic between my fingers and running the cable through.
12-06-12, 08:20 PM
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i am neutral for the most part on lubing new stuff. some housing is greased like the shimano sp41 and jagwire L3. some are plain. i don't remove or add any lube. bulk jagwire cables have a light oil on them. for old crusty stuff i lube it to extend its life.
12-06-12, 08:40 PM
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I lube the housings with one of these
12-06-12, 08:45 PM
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I'm an agnostic on this. Back in the early days of lined housings the liner was made of teflon (PTFE) and things worked very well dry. The current stuff is lined with something that looks more like polyethylene (LDPE) which is a softer material. This stuff seems to benefit from some light oil, but in cold weather the oil or grease can stiffen causing hysteresis, or a sluggish return under the force of the light action springs.
On my commuter, I've evolved to oiling then brake housing and the rear RD housing loop, but not the HB to frame sections. That seems to give me the best performance in cold weather.
On my commuter, I've evolved to oiling then brake housing and the rear RD housing loop, but not the HB to frame sections. That seems to give me the best performance in cold weather.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
12-07-12, 07:16 AM
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I fit Middleburn Cable Oilers on the final loop of rear derailleur cable on winter mountain bikes. There is a little hole behind the o-ring which matches the straw on an aerosol can. (Yes - I know aerosol "lubes" are mostly for water displacement, but if squirted in frequently they blast out water, gritty stuff and it slows corrosion. Frozen water slows cables terribly)
https://www.middleburn.co.uk/access_cableoilers.php
Has resulted in an improvement for my bikes.
https://www.middleburn.co.uk/access_cableoilers.php
Has resulted in an improvement for my bikes.
12-07-12, 08:26 AM
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I like some teflon lube on the cables.
12-07-12, 09:04 AM
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Shimano sells a specific cable grease. https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...4&category=205
12-07-12, 10:17 AM
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How about this: before you bother with all that palaver, see how you go without it.
And I for one consider unlined housing junk (except for those cute old RD loops you see on vintage bikes).
And I for one consider unlined housing junk (except for those cute old RD loops you see on vintage bikes).
12-07-12, 12:20 PM
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I use an oiler just like this, but I fill it with LPS 1. I found a gallon of LPS 1 for peanuts at OSH one day, bought it and now lube my cables,derailleurs and spoke/nipple interface with it.
My oiler is a gun oiler I bought in a 3-pack from Brownells.
My oiler is a gun oiler I bought in a 3-pack from Brownells.
