Can I use vaseline as pedal grease?

Bustacapp
Bustacapp Posts: 971
edited September 2012 in Workshop
As per title. I'm about to add my new pedals and had a job taking the old ones off due to them not being greased. I have no grease, so will vaseline do?

Comments

  • rozzer32
    rozzer32 Posts: 3,924
    Use some proper grease or anti seize. If you don't need it in a hurry then order from Ribble, otherwise get some from your LBS or car store/halfords etc
    ***** Pro Tour Pundit Champion 2020, 2018, 2017 & 2011 *****
  • Bustacapp
    Bustacapp Posts: 971
    rozzer32 wrote:
    Use some proper grease or anti seize. If you don't need it in a hurry then order from Ribble, otherwise get some from your LBS or car store/halfords etc

    Why don't you just not reply if you don't know?

    anyway, if anyone cares, it seems to work quite well as a cycle grease...
    Fab Foodie wrote:
    Really no need. Vaseline works fine, it's pretty much the only thing I've used for the past 30 years and all of my bikes and the families run fine. I tried all kinds of other greases and they offer no advantage that I can see.
    I re-assemble all my bikes with Vaseline and use it on all the bearings, wheel, headset, freehub and in the old days bottom brackets etc. No worries, whack it in there and relax.

    Useful when touring, one less thing to carry as has multiple uses!
    http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/vaseli ... ads.40885/
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Wilst I accept that there are many marketing tricks and smoke and mirrors with things in life to convince us to part with our hard earned I would draw the line at using petrolium jelly as lubricant for mechanical parts.

    However if you are happy to then thats your call.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    smidsy wrote:
    Wilst I accept that there are many marketing tricks and smoke and mirrors with things in life to convince us to part with our hard earned I would draw the line at using petrolium jelly as lubricant for mechanical parts.

    However if you are happy to then thats your call.

    Yes, but a thread is not lubrication, it's mainly protection against corrosion and bonding... For this Vaseline should work just fine, at least as a temporary solution. Copper paste is still the best solution, halfords for a big jar of it, it also looks like a big lump of cow's dung, which is always nice to dip fingers into.... :x
    left the forum March 2023
  • rjkflyer
    rjkflyer Posts: 85
    Simple answer; YES it is fine.

    Detail:
    1. Vaseline (trade name) is a petroleum 'paraffin' product (petroleum jelly) mixed with soft wax to make it stick
    2. It has some lubricating properties (not relevant here as OP asks for pedal threads, but it's highly flammable, evaporates at quite low temp and breaks down under load)
    3. It has certainly anti-seize properties - e.g. used in the radio- and electro technology in antenna assembly
    4. May affect some rubbers, and plastics like PS and polycarbonate
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Fine as a temporary measure, but don't leave it over winter and expect them to come off easily.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Brava210
    Brava210 Posts: 64
    As an Engineer, I have used Vaseline for years.......it's a trade secret!
    Boardman Pro Carbon (Nowt wrong with Boardman)
    Boardman Team Hybrid
    (I need to lose weight)
  • Bustacapp
    Bustacapp Posts: 971
    Brava210 wrote:
    As an Engineer, I have used Vaseline for years.......it's a trade secret!

    /thread
  • boblo
    boblo Posts: 360
    I hear olive oil makes a very fine chain lube....
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    Ear wax is your friend.
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • Runoutofgears
    Runoutofgears Posts: 348
    on-yer-bike wrote:
    Ear wax is your friend.

    This has the advantage that it will keep the flys off yer chain too :roll:
    I ache, therefore I am.

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