When it comes to bikes, the main focus will always be performance. No matter what activity you are using your bike for, performance will always be important, whether you are using it for racing, or simply just for exercise.
One of the most important steps to maintaining good performance with your bike is to lubricate the chains regularly. It is only by lubrication that your bicycle chains will continue to continue moving smoothly. But, finding the right lubricant for the job isn’t easy.
If you go to any bicycle store, then there is a seemingly endless amount of different lubricants that are suitable for the job. But, just because they are suitable for the job, this doesn’t mean that they are the best.
One type of lubricant that you might have heard discussed quite often is white lithium grease, but can you use this on bike chains? In this guide, we’ll be telling you everything that you need to know.
What is White Lithium Grease used for?
White Lithium Grease is a type of lubricant that is often used for metal to metal applications. In most cases, white lithium grease will be sold in aerosol cans, and then it is simply sprayed onto the metal which you want to lubricate.
White lithium grease is a popular lubricant because it continues to work even after its first application. Upon initial application, the lubricant holds oil in place. Then over time, it will work as a sponge, releasing small amounts of oil every single time that whatever it has been applied to is used.
White lithium grease is used to ensure that mechanical parts continue to move smoothly. As metal wears, it will begin to catch upon other pieces of metal, and this can cause movement to become jagged and rough. But, with a simple application of white lithium grease, this is reversed, and suddenly the metal will move smoothly again.
As well as applying it when necessary, some people choose to apply this lubricant regularly. As they say, prevention is better than a cure, so by using white lithium grease regularly, you can really help maintain metal joints. But, can it be used on bike chains? Let’s take a look.
Can White Lithium Grease be used on Bike Chain?
So, now let’s answer the question that you have come here to ask. From what we have said so far, you would expect white lithium grease to be the superior lubricant.
Due to this, it might come as a surprise when we say that this isn’t the ideal lubricant to use on your bike chain. Yes, you can use white lithium grease as a lubricant on your bike’s chain, but it isn’t the best option. Let’s take a look at why.
The main reason why white lithium grease isn’t the best choice for lubricating your bike chain is because it is very sticky. A lot of lubricants are sticky, but white lithium grease is insanely sticky, and because of this it will collect a lot of dirt. White lithium grease is much better suited to tasks where it will not be exposed to too much dirt because it will ensure that the grease remains clean.
However, that being said, you can use white lithium grease on your bike if you wish to. If you do choose to do this, then you should only use a very small amount of this lubricant as this will minimize the amount of dirt that can stick to it.
White lithium grease is quite a heavy lubricant, this is why it isn’t ideal for bike chains. If you can, you should try to use a light, waterproof lube for your bike chain, as this will be less likely to attract dirt.
How often should I grease my Bike Chain?
Even if white lithium grease isn’t the best type of lubricant for your bike chain, you probably still want to know more about greasing your bike chain. As we have said, when it comes to lubricating metals, prevention is better than a cure, so you should add lubricating chains to your bicycle’s maintenance routine. Ideally, you should do this at least once a month.
Of course, it might not always be possible to grease your bike chain once every month. But, this is the best routine if you want your bicycle to continue to operate excellently. Failure to lubricate your bicycle’s chain regularly can cause it to become damaged, and in turn this could cause it to become dangerous to use.
Realistically speaking, bicycles aren’t cheap, so you do not want to damage your bicycle simply because you didn’t keep on top of the maintenance. Without a doubt, the chain is one of the most important components of the bicycle because your bicycle would not be able to move without it. So, you should grease your bicycle chain with a lubricant around once a month.
Can you lube your Bike Chain Too Much?
Finally, let’s wrap this up by giving you a warning about lubricating your bicycle chain. This should be done regularly, but it shouldn’t be done too regularly. If you over lubricate your bicycle chain, then it can actually be detrimental to your bike’s performance.
The main reason why you shouldn’t over lubricate your bicycle is actually the same reason why white lithium grease isn’t the ideal lubricant for bicycle chains. This is because too much lubricant will attract dirt. If too much dirt gets into your bicycle’s chain, then this can cause the chain to grind and this will cause irreversible damage.
So, yes, it is possible to lubricate your bicycle chain too much. To avoid doing this, it is best to only grease your bicycle chain once a month.
Summary
In short, yes, you can use white lithium grease on your bike chain. However, this isn’t the best choice because this type of lubricant can attract dirt, which could end up damaging your bike chain. If you only have white lithium grease available, then ensure that you only use a small amount of this lubricant. But, where possible, use an alternative.
