Best Bicycle grease for Bearings in 2023

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If you’re in a hurry and want to know what the best bicycle grease is, then we recommend Park Tool PolyLube 1000 to be the best one. 

This is the review for the best bicycle grease for bearings and other parts in 2023. 

Putting on the wrong bicycle grease on your bike can have serious consequences. 

I’ve seen this happen before. 

Not only would it reduce your bike’s performance, but it could also eventually damage your bike.

But don’t worry. 

I’ve spent several hours researching, testing, and selecting the best bicycle grease on the market today, so you don’t spend your precious time doing it yourself. 

So if you want to know:

  • The best overall bike grease 
  • The difference between a bike grease and lubricant 
  • Things to keep in mind when buying a bike grease 

Then you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s get started!

Best Bicycle Grease Overview 

  1. Park Tool PolyLube 1000 Bicycle Grease 
  2. Finish Line Premium Grease 
  3. Phil Wood Grease Tube 
  4. Park Tool HPG-1 High-Performance Bike Grease
  5. Bel-Ray Waterproof Grease 

Bicycle Grease vs Lubricant – Which one do I use?

Before you dive into any of the products below, make sure you know when to use a bike grease and lube, as they serve different purposes. 

When to use a bike grease:

  • Ball bearings 
  • Cables
  • Headset internals 
  • Seat posts 
  • Pedal threads 
  • Bottom bracket threads

When to use a bike lube:

  • Chains
  • Pivot points
  • Pedals
  • Derailleur assemblies
  • Brake and derailleur cables
  • Brake assemblies
  • Brake and shifter levers

For a more in-depth guide, check out this excellent video made by GNBN Tech below:

6 Best Bicycle Grease Reviewed 

Below you will find what we think is the best bicycle grease on the market today based on hours of research and testing. 

Park Tool PolyLube 1000 

Park Tool is a company EVERY cyclist is familiar with. 

Why?

They produce extremely high-quality products, and this grease is no different. 

It’s made with polyurea lubricant, specifically made for bicycle maintenance and repair, and can be used on MANY parts of your bike, including the pedals, hubs, cranks, bottom brackets, and headsets. 

Just be sure to not use it on your chain or pivot points, as this grease is pretty thick. Light or midweight oil will be more suitable for that purpose. 

What I appreciate about this product is that compared to other greases, this one has NO stinky smell to it and works exceptionally well in extreme weather, thanks to its high shear strength (finally). 

So if you’re fed up with greases that wash of too easily in the rain, then this is the perfect product for you. 

Pros

  • No unpleasant smell or odor
  • Comes in different sizes
  • Long-lasting
  • Great quality
  • Works well in any weather 

Cons

  • Might be slightly expensive 


Finish Line Premium Grease

Similar to the Park Tool, the Finish Line Grease is also EXTREMELY effective in harsh, wet environments. 

It’s made out of Teflon fluoropolymer and advanced corrosion inhibitors that hold out against tough weather the bike can encounter. 

So if you live in a rainy country such as the UK, this could be a great option for you. 

What’s more, the functional thickener feature completely protects against rust or corrosion, even in saltwater! This ensures your bike stays new for years to come.

It’s also slightly thicker and stickier compared to the other greases on this list. So although this makes it trickier to handle, it also makes it easier to spread the grease with a thin layer.

But… this also comes with a downside…

The thick, sticky texture means it may attract more dirt and dust compared to others. This may require you to wash and clean your bike more frequently. 

So keep this in mind when making your purchase. 

Pros

  • Resistant to extreme weather
  • Protects against rust or corrosion
  • High quality
  • Great price

Cons

  • May attract more dirt or dust


Phil Wood Grease Tube 

To be honest, one thing I LOVE about this product is the packaging. 

It comes with a very bright, charming tube!

But I’m sure you’re more interested in what’s inside the product, and whether the grease itself is good or not. 

So… if you want to know that, then I’m telling you now, IT’S MORE THAN GOOD.

In contrast to the Finish Line Premium, the Phil Wood is excellent at keeping away dirt or dust that the grease can attract. The grease itself also doesn’t dry out quickly, which ensures it’s more efficient and lasts longer. 

As well as being completely waterproof, it has a very smooth texture, which in turn offers a very smooth bearing operation. The waterproof option ensures it’s suitable in the rain. 

On top of that, the tube itself is plastic, not metallic, which means that it will come back to shape after you’ve used it. 

The grease starts thick, doesn’t break down easily, and spreads evenly and thoroughly. You can’t go wrong with this product. 

The only downside is that the tube itself is quite small. 

BUT…

Some users have reported that it still lasts a long time, as the amount of grease needed to do the job is very little. 

So the package being small may not be that big of a problem. 

Pros

  • Great packaging
  • Charming looking tube 
  • High quality
  • Waterproof
  • Doesn’t attract a lot of dirt
  • Plastic container
  • Smooth texture 
  • Lasts long 
  • Protects bearings properly

Cons

  • The tube itself may be small for some people
  • No option to choose a bigger size


Park Tool HPG-1 High Performance 

The Park Tool HPG-1 is designed specifically to meet the needs of high-performing bicycles and components. 

It performs well in extreme temperatures ranging from -20°F to 540°F (-29°C to 282°C), as well as being highly water-resistant. This, therefore, offers protection not only against the rain but also against extremely hot temperatures!

There are many greases out there that are not suitable for carbon fiber and will harm them when used. 

Thankfully, this is not the case with this grease. You can use this on your carbon fiber bike knowing it won’t damage it. 

Plus, the threaded cap on the container makes it easily resealable. The tip of the container is very small, making it easier to control how much grease you want to squeeze and where you want it to go. 

The downside is the color of the grease, which is a dark blue color. 

I favor white grease, mainly because if there is dirt, you can recognize it instantly. But this is not the case with dark-colored grease. 

Some users have also reported that the grease stains anything it touches bright blue, such as your frame or tools. This could be a headache for some people. 

Keep this all in mind when making your purchase.

Pros

  • Suitable for extreme hot and extreme cold temperatures
  • Suitable for carbon fiber
  • Easily resealable cap
  • Small tip to control how much grease to use

Cons:

  • The dark blue color of the grease can be problematic for some people


Bel-Ray Waterproof Grease

This is a great option for those of you who may not just use it on your bike. 

Many users have reported using the grease on their car, home, garage, fishing equipment, and more!

It’s great to just about fix any issue!

Thanks to its aluminium complex formula, the grease will never melt or run out. This ensures it lasts a long time on your bike with optimal protection. 

Just like the others, it is waterproof, ensuring that the rain or any other wet environment will not damage it. 

Can’t go wrong!

Pros

  • Can use it for a variety of applications 
  • Waterproof 
  • Can withstand high temperatures 
  • Lasts a long time 

Cons:

  • Some people may not like the dark grease color.


Buying Guide 

Right now, you’re the closest ever to make that final decision. 

But before you click the buy now button, there are some things you need to consider. 

Check them out below

Is it waterproof?

Let’s be honest. 

We’ve all got our bikes wet. 

Whether it’s the rain or a big fat puddle you failed to avoid on the road.  

That’s why it’s crucial to ensure the grease you buy is waterproof for optimal protection. 

Luckily, all the products we’ve mentioned in this article are waterproof.

So you’re good with us here. 

Can it handle temperature?

This is also an important factor to consider. Especially if you live in hot countries. 

Some grease out there is not good at handling high temperatures. They don’t last long and are not very efficient. 

All in all, you’re better off buying grease that is both waterproof and able to handle high temperatures, just to be on the safe side. 

Price

As it is with everything, you get what you pay for. 

Higher quality grease may slightly be more expensive, but in return, you get a high-performing, high-quality, long-lasting grease. 

If you go for a cheaper alternative, you may end up with a crap product. 

But the difference in price between a high-quality one and a crap one isn’t that much. Plus, it’s not like you need to buy new grease every week. 

So at the end of the day, you’re better off paying a lot once and ending up with a high-quality product. Most greases are designed to last you a long time. 

If you want learn more about grease, oils and cleaners, here is another excellent video by the GMBN Tech.

Conclusion 

So there you have it!

The best bicycle grease on the market today. 

I hope this article has been helpful for you to make your final decision. 

All the products in this article are great quality. While everyone’s preferences may vary, the Park Tool Grease is the objective winner of my research and testing.

But they all come close!

I really like the Phil Wood Grease too!

At the end of the day, the choice is YOURS.

Read the article carefully, do some of your own research if you like, and make that final purchase!

Happy biking!

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