We’re not just concerned about the big guys with heavy machinery—we also want to help you out with your little, everyday, oil-related problems.  Today, we’re going to take a look at how you can choose the best lubricant to keep your bicycle pedaling for years to come.

According to this link, there are three main types of lubricant you can use on your bike: chain oil, light oil and grease.

Chain Oil:

To keep your bicycle chain lubricated properly, you’re going to want a synthetic,
“wet style” lubricant (like Finish Line Cross Country) that can enable your bike to handle high-torque pedaling through rough riding conditions over long distances. If you have an older bicycle with a 3-speed internal gear hub, a product like Phil Tenacious Oil might be all you need. While wax is generally not quite as good as oil, if you live in a dry climate area, you may prefer a wax lubricant such as Boeshield T-9, which doesn’t collect as much dirt as oil does and is easier to apply.

Light Oil:

Try to stay away from light oils that are vegetable-based because they tend to gum up. One of the best light oils is TriFlow-- a synthetic, Teflon-based lubricant that comes with a tube to make it easy to apply in hard-to-access areas. It lubricates quickly and thoroughly, so you should only need a few drops to get the job done.

Grease:

It’s a good idea to have some waterproof grease on hand at all times when working on your bicycle. You can use a tube and a grease gun for squirting oil into tight spaces or use it on a small brush to grease the threads.

Happy riding!