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Helo Guys,

I want to know your experience about carbon material and grease Can I use normal grease with carbon ? I want to put grease onto fork and stem....

Or WD-40 or silicone penetrant would be ok ? Thank you....

Can I use this one ? http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p231/picture_77/13012012170.jpg

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1  
I would not advise putting automotive grease anywhere on any bike, especially carbon. – Daniel R Hicks Jan 11 '12 at 12:36
I've repacked many a hub with automotive wheel bearing grease. For mating carbon surfaces you should use carbon paste, this is a grease with microparticles. It provides a grip between the carbon surfaces. For bearings, grease as normal. – 802bikeguy.com Jan 12 '12 at 5:15
WD-40 contains solvents that might attack (or at least stain) the resin. – Daniel R Hicks Jan 12 '12 at 12:11
For any lube you're putting on carbon surfaces I'd check the label to be sure it said "safe for plastics". – Daniel R Hicks Jan 13 '12 at 12:19
I saw "Safe on Rubber,Metal, Wood & Vinyl", is it ok ? thanks – Rick Ant Jan 14 '12 at 21:51

3 Answers

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From Sheldon Brown:

Grease lubrication is commonly used on all ball bearings. Good mechanics also use grease (or oil) on the threads of most threaded fittings and fasteners, and also inside the steerer (to keep the stem from becoming stuck) and the seat tube (to keep the seatpost from becoming stuck.)

There are a great many different greases on the market with different special features, mainly for automotive applications. For bicycle use, almost any grease is adequate, since the loads and temperatures are generally low.

Seems to me like the answer is yes, although to be safe why don't you invest in some Finish Line Teflon Grease - one tube will last you for years. From the Finish Line website:

Q. Are Finish Line products safe for use on Carbon Fiber Frames and Parts?

A. Yes. All of our products are safe to use on carbon fiber bike parts; our three degreasers, four lubes, our polish, grease, etc are all safe to use on and around carbon fiber bike parts. The exception is our DOT Brake Fluid – you don’t want to get DOT fluid on any painted or finished surface because it’ll attack the paint / finish.

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There is an enormous variation in what is called "grease". Basic "grease" (of the non-cooking type) is a combination of "soap" (not unlike ordinary hand soap) and an oil. But modern grease may have many other components and use something other than "soap" for the emulsifier. Of particular concern with carbon bikes is that something in the grease may attack the resin holding the carbon fibers together. – Daniel R Hicks Jan 11 '12 at 16:30
@DanielRHicks true enough - the Finish Line stuff is definitely safe though (I'll add it to my answer) – tdc Jan 11 '12 at 16:54
my grease looks very dark brown and black, and from the ingredients i didn't see anything special – Rick Ant Jan 12 '12 at 0:51
Can I use WD-40 replacing grease ? – Rick Ant Jan 12 '12 at 6:32
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WD-40 is not a lubricant or grease, it may leave a slippery residue but its definitely not for lubricating. its a Water Dispersal agent. – Mauro Jan 12 '12 at 8:33
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i would be careful of any type of grease i use on a bike.. Grease attracts the dirt and can lead to further issues on the mechanics of your bike. like stated before - use an oil specially formulated for your bike. and make sure after every cycle to clean your bike down and re-oil.

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Grease is common on bicycles, in headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, seatposts (to prevent them from getting stuck), etc. – 802bikeguy.com Jan 12 '12 at 5:17
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Most automotive use grease is too thick for bicycle applications. It will lubricate, but it will add friction to the movement of the bike.

Aside from the "weight" of the grease, you only need to worry about purity.

Phil Wood, of Phil Wood Components, used to say that his most important criteria for his bicycle grease was too make sure it matched the color of his original green sample. If it varied, even a little, he was besieged by inquiries about what he'd changed in his "formula".

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Park Polylube 1000 and White Lightning Crystal Grease are just as thick as automotive wheel bearing grease. – 802bikeguy.com Jan 12 '12 at 5:18
Go to a motorcycle shop, and ask for wheel bearing lube. Then use it in your bike's hubs. Then try to ride it. It's not the same. Auto/motorcycle grease is designed to be used at high temps. Bike grease doesn't need to be. – zenbike♦ Jan 12 '12 at 11:52
Where did I mention anything about motorcycle grease? I have in fact, repacked more than a few hubs with an automotive wheel bearing grease, a Valvoline Synthetic Blend, specifically. The axle when spun feels no different than had I used bicycle specific grease, and the wheels spin fine with no noticeable resistance. – 802bikeguy.com Jan 12 '12 at 16:01

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