Stev8del8

OK, call me silly. I've been called much worse.


But, I love Campagnolo bicycle grease. I bought a 150g tub many years ago and am almost out. All that I can find, is a small tube for 50 bucks. I don't even know if that is even the same stuff.


My original tub has never separated and is almost sensual in it's feel. I'm not a professional mechanic, I just love Italian bikes and Campagnolo bicycle parts.


I always use Campagnolo bicycle grease or NeverSeez when I assemble, lube bearings or change parts on one of my bicycles.


Other greases tend to separate ( even SuperLube) over time. I've never had that problem with Campagnolo bicycle grease.


Anyone know where I can buy another tub of that light brown miracle compound?

If someone has invested in the tube, is it a light brown? It's been said that it is a "white lithium grease".


Talk about nit-picking. I'm guilty as sin.

RubeRad

I got no answer, but my tube of Park PPL-1 (the only bike grease I've ever bought) is almost empty, so I'm curious about bike grease so I can buy a good replacement.

ckarr

ALL bicycle grease is a huge rip off. You pay $5 for a small tube of the stuff, when you can buy a TUB of marine grease at any autoparts store for $10 and willl last you 5 lifetimes. Ditch the bicycle grease you sound like such a fool.

emailsfh

I've been told in this thread that this is what Campy uses for their bearing grease: Kluber Topas NB52 . Not sure if that is the same stuff you're talking about. It ain't cheap.

Stev8del8

I do use boat trailer grease, on my boat trailer (well, when I had a boat). I use wheel axle bearing grease, on the axle bearings on my motorcycle trailer.


I realize that any grease will lubricate. I just think that my bicycles are a little bit more esoteric. Being Italian, they are subject to much more emotion.

texaspandj

Currently using the blue marine grease. But I have a 1985 pinarello in my shed that I plan on overhauling this winter. I bought it this past summer and I decided to test ride before I stored it. So I cleaned it and checked the seatpost and stem. Not only were they not stuck but they had the tan colored grease you're talking about. And the bottom bracket and hubs have the same and are smooth as silk. Not sure if it's the campy parts or grease, but my guess is the grease allowed them to stay that way for 30 years. Good luck finding your grease, I'm sure it's worth every penny you pay.

Meathorse

I have a small tube I'll sell to you for 49 bucks.

Stev8del8

The closest grease that I've found to be similar to Campagnolo bicycle grease is Pennzoil General Purpose Grease #705. I bought some about 15 years ago.


I just checked my tub and found that it has not separated and feels similar to the Campagnolo Bicycle grease. It has not shown any tendency to separate but has minor srinkage in the can.


Could very well be a viable substitute but I would still like to find the real thing.

Reynolds 

Campagnolo fans probably find it disgusting, but Dura-Ace grease is good too.

RubeRad

Dura-Ace grease is a rip-off! I get by just fine with Tiagra grease, although I do keep a small stock of 105 grease specifically for water-bottle cage bolts. You gotta pay extra attention to that aero-draft zone

TimothyH

I've heard good things about crystal grease and will try some as soon as I place another order for consumables.


-Tim-

Stev8del8

In my parts bin I do have a Dura Ace headset and freewheel. I don't remember which frameset that they came from. I will investigate Dura Ace grease. I don't have any 105 parts but I do have a 600EX crankset. I use Never-Seez on all my bottom bracket square tapers so, in that regard, I'm covered.

Wright Bros

I don't know about Campy grease, I use Lubriplate 130-AA but if the Never-Seez you use is Bostic Pure Nickel you've made a great choice.

Stev8del8

Yes, Never-Seez is silver and messy but you are Wright.

emailsfh

What I'm saying is that my understanding is that this is the actual supplier of the Campy bearing grease. In other words, the Kluber Topas NB52 is the same stuff, just relabeled.

Anyway, failing that, this listing on eBay might interest you: Campagnolo Special Grease - Large Tub - 1970's | eBay

EDIT: FYI, the color of the Topas NB52 is exactly the same as that Campy stuff from what I can tell.

fietsbob

seek White Lithium Grease ..

jfowler85

An excellent reply to ckarr being an ass.

noglider 

Park grease is barely more expensive than marine grease at the auto parts shop. It's pretty convenient, too, in its squeeze tube.

Stev8del8

I use MKS Sylvan touring pedals on my daily use bikes. They are extremely rough out of the package, but very cheap.


Take them apart, clean out the old grease, pack them with Campagnolo bicycle grease and they are as smooth as glass. No toe clips or cleats to fool with.

Mr IGH

Tub of red Mobil 1 cost me ~$6 and will last forever.

rmfnla

fify...

rmfnla

The skinny back in the day was Campy grease contained a mild abrasive that continuously polished the bearing surfaces during use...

Sy Reene

With Italian parts, I've gotten by with some extra-virgin.

drlogik 

I, to, heard (back in the day - the 1970's) that Campy had micro-fine abrasives but I don't believe that myth. Suffice to say that Campagnolo probably didn't actually make their grease. They probably had Kluber or some other Euro company make it for them. That was also back when the whole deal about WD-40 had fish oil in it. Well, that's baloney to. Nevertheless, the whole mystique surrounding Campy grease never did die and is still going strong.

Yes, there have been tubs of it for sale on "that auction site" but I really suspect that it is the genuine product. It would be easy to find an empty tub, fill it with Lubriplate, which looks almost identical and sell it for the real thing. That tub on that auction site now looks like Lubriplate to me but what do I know. Notice the flecks of dirt in it? Why are they in there?

I have an almost full small tub of Campy grease and never use it now. My first tub is long gone but I still have the empty container. I won't ever sell either. Folks that I know that have it aren't interested in selling theirs either. It's one of the "holy grails" of bike lore to have a tub of that grease. Hence me being skeptical about it on auction sites.


-

Stev8del8

Kluber Isoflex Topas NB52


I did a "Bing search" and found many sources for the product. The best option seems to be a 200g tube for a little more than a c-note.


It is being advertised as a snowmobile lube. Seems reasonable. It must be good or there wouldn't be many outfits selling it.


I bought my first Italian bike in 1963 I was just out of Junior High School. My father made me sell it when I bought a motorcycle. It was a gorgeous big black Bianchi Gran Sport. Wish I still had it.


Almost all of my current bikes are Campy equipped Italian and deserve the best care that I can provide.


Thanks, folks, for all of your help.


By the way, WD40 has water in it. That's why it dries out so fast. I only use it to remove gummy residue. It works better than lemon oil but not as good as Goo-Gone. You can, however, spray it on.