Bearing Grease

[Silver940]

Ok did the L2B yesterday and something I noticed is that coasting the 2 guys I was riding with coasted off on the downhills. The bike I have is an old Carrera Vulcan Mountain bike that as far as I am aware never had the wheel bearings re-greased.

so first is it worth doing?
second what should I use? Was going to use some Lithium Grease but see there is specific bike grease, worth the extra money?

Cheers

Oh and can't afford a new bike for now so making this run as well as possible is my only option.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Not sure what sort of bearings your wheels have but probably worth replacing them if a few years old, and they are some sort of standard fit/size. Take everything apart. Clean and degrease. The bung it all back together.

I use some standard clear grease on my Zipp wheels. No doubt someone will be along shortly to tell me that this is sacrilege and I might as well put a chisel through them, but it's the way I've done it for 20 odd years. Although perhaps that's why I'm yet to win the Tour de France...

[Raven Flyer]

Were the other two guys heavier than you or using different tyres to you?

I very much doubt your bearings were a problem.

[Mars]

If you lift the bike and spin the wheels, and you don't notice them slowing unecessarily quickly, then you've no problem. Your rolling resistance is more likely affected by tyre pressure, tyre tread type, tyre diameter. If you're all on roadies, then the last two will be equal to your mates anyway. Check your pressures.

[shalmaneser]

As above regreasing your wheel bearings is a good move but unlikely to be the cause of your mates shooting off infront of you!

[Silver940]

Mine are half and half tyres, the other chap on a mountain bike had full roads so I suspect that contributed. All similar weight I think. I'll give the wheels a spin tonight and see how quick they slow up.

[Mars]

Silver940 said:

Mine are half and half tyres, the other chap on a mountain bike had full roads so I suspect that contributed. All similar weight I think. I'll give the wheels a spin tonight and see how quick they slow up.

I reckon this is the sole cause then. I used to coast downhill on my slick-shod hybrid past my MTB friends who were pedalling away. You can hear the noise from their tyres - noise that is, in effect, energy wasted.