Lubricating derailleurs and brake pivots

scotthunter

Hi,

Anyone recommend a good multi purpose oil for lubricating brake caliper pivots, derailleur pivots, jockey wheels, springs etc? I have a few different oils kicking around in the shed but not sure what to use: 3 in 1 multipurpose, muc-off bike protector spray, shimano ptfe lube, mucoff hydrodynamic chain lube, juicelubes wet lube, juice lubes dry lube. I generally wash the drivetrain once every two weeks and commute every day.

I normally just apply muc off hydrodynamic wet lube after I've washed the bike and de-greased the chain and drivetrain then spray muc off bike protector spray (similar to mo94) over the entire bike, with the rims and brake pads covered.

Should I be using something more specialist for derailleurs and brake calipers? Does any part of the rear derailleur need to be greased? I noticed there was some in the spring when the bike was new but this has now all but washed out.

Thanks.

grenw

I just put whatever is on the chain

keef66

Shimano RDs seem to come with some luminous green grease type stuff dolloped on the spring but I've never bothered trying to regrease it once it disappears. After a wash I do lube the derailleur and brake caliper pivots with a drop of 3-in-1 oil. No idea if it does any good, but it makes me feel useful. Jockey wheels too.

I'd not use anything gloopy like wet lube for fear it would only attract dirt and be counter-productive.

scotthunter

GrenW wrote:

I just put whatever is on the chain

I find my mucoff hydrodynamic chain lube too thick to use as a multipurpose lubricant as it’s hard to get it to penetrate intricate parts like pivot points.

I have been spraying the entire front and rear mech with 3 in 1 oil which does make my gear changes silky smooth and quiet but I’m sure this just attracts too much dirt in the summer.

scotthunter

keef66 wrote:

Shimano RDs seem to come with some luminous green grease type stuff dolloped on the spring but I've never bothered trying to regrease it once it disappears. After a wash I do lube the derailleur and brake caliper pivots with a drop of 3-in-1 oil. No idea if it does any good, but it makes me feel useful. Jockey wheels too.

I'd not use anything gloopy like wet lube for fear it would only attract dirt and be counter-productive.

Yeah, my Ultegra R8000 rear mech contained green grease inside the spring. I wondered about applying some more there but unsure if it needs to be there permanently or not?

ibr17xvii

Whatever lube I'm using & Muc Off MO94 has always worked for me.