To grease, or not to grease
- Thread starter mynydd
- Start date
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Smokin Joe
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
No.
Modern Teflon coated cables do not need greasing and it will only attract the dirt.
Modern Teflon coated cables do not need greasing and it will only attract the dirt.
OP
OP
mynydd
Veteran
Thanks, that's what I had though, but read that some people do. Will keep them dry then
That assumes the OP is fitting Teflon coated cables though.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
I always grease em as per the Shimano technical document instructions.
OP
OP
mynydd
Veteran
Thanks for all the input.
Job done now though, minus the grease.... I'll see how they go and if they fail quickly will try grease next time.........
Amazed at how much better the gears are shifting and how much better the brakes feel... will try out properly, on the road, tomorrow.
Job done now though, minus the grease.... I'll see how they go and if they fail quickly will try grease next time.........
Amazed at how much better the gears are shifting and how much better the brakes feel... will try out properly, on the road, tomorrow.
gilespargiter
Veteran
- Location
- N Wales
I tend to find the cables run more smoothly with lube despite the teflon. It also prevents/delays rusting if they don't happen to be stainless steel. Additionally it tends to stop water getting in them and freezing in cold weather - a thing that particularly might happen to the rear derailleur I find.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
I'm in the 'no grease/lube' camp now (I used to lightly grease cables but no longer). This advice looks good.
"You want an inner cable to be as slick and free-running as possible. Usually if we want to reduce friction then grease or oil come to our rescue, but where cables are concerned extra lubricants can actually increase the drag inside the housing, and risk attracting dirt and contaminants. Most cables are designed to run clean and dry.
"The key thing to avoid is bends causing unwanted friction, so always look for the smoothest possible curve. Always replace inners and outers together. A new inner cable in an old piece of outer will still not perform as well as it should. Don’t try using greases and oils to free up rough cables. The chances are you will just add to friction troubles. Replace instead."
"You want an inner cable to be as slick and free-running as possible. Usually if we want to reduce friction then grease or oil come to our rescue, but where cables are concerned extra lubricants can actually increase the drag inside the housing, and risk attracting dirt and contaminants. Most cables are designed to run clean and dry.
"The key thing to avoid is bends causing unwanted friction, so always look for the smoothest possible curve. Always replace inners and outers together. A new inner cable in an old piece of outer will still not perform as well as it should. Don’t try using greases and oils to free up rough cables. The chances are you will just add to friction troubles. Replace instead."
DaveReading
Don't suffer fools gladly (must try harder!)
- Location
- Reading, obvs
The paradox here seems to be, as previous posters have said, that "clean" implies no grease while "dry" is more likely to result from the presence of grease to keep the water out.
RichardB
Slightly retro
- Location
- West Wales
The rule is normally plain cables - grease, and Teflon-lined cables - no grease/dry. Grease is very good for a plain cable, but implies regular stripping/cleaning/regreasing (like in the old days) to keep them running sweet. Otherwise the movement of the cable will draw muck inside and lead to stiffness and failure. A Teflon cable will get water inside, but as the cable should be stainless steel this should not affect the operation.
I'm a bit old-school, and I have to fight like mad NOT to grease a new cable, but I am learning.
I'm a bit old-school, and I have to fight like mad NOT to grease a new cable, but I am learning.
MontyVeda
a short-tempered ill-controlled small-minded troll
- Location
- Lancaster... the little city.
I grease mine out of habit, but not very often. They could be gunked up with alsorts on the inside for all i know... but what i do know is the gears and brakes still work.
Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
Yes.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Why do you think the presence of grease will "keep the water out"? The grease will emulsify with the water and keep it in, and attract muck in (in small amounts) too. Whilst there used to be cables with tinned (galvanized) strands around, the vast majority of cables sold/used nowadays are stainless steel, for example the cheapest one on Wiggle. Some have a 'teflon' coating as well and need no lubrication. Perhaps less expensive cables/outers would benefit from oil (not grease) rubbed into the sections of the cable which will be inside the housing.
