Best lubricant for cranks and derailleur’s

Gerry wants to our opinion on cleaning, degreasing and lubricants. He wants an all in one, which is available, but it’s easy enough to use a separate cleaner and lubricant.

Question:
Hi Samuel,
May I ask what is the best lubricant for cranks and derailleur’s? I’m
looking for one that cleans, degreases and lubricates.
Thanks and more power to your informative site!

Hi Gerry.

It is best to use a separate cleaner/degreaser and then a different lubricant, depending on the weather conditions in your area and to which use you put your bike too.

Have a look to our article on the same issue, where we explain how to clean and grease all bike components, step by step.

There are many degreasers and cleaners, one of the best, but most dangerous to use is diesel fuel, it’s not good for your skin or the environment, it’s cheap and it does clean your kit. I would advise that you try a cleaner or degreaser available from the local bike shop. Personally, I found that Finish Line makes a very good quality and safe cleaners and degreasers which can be used on carbon, alloy, titanium and steel and also if any splashes on your tires it shouldn’t harm them either.

Separate cleaner/degreaser and lubricant probably works better as you wash off the degreaser before you lubricate which will take all the dirt and grit with it, where as the all in one might leave some debris behind. After the cleaning/degreasing, warm soapy water and a sponge is the best for washing away the degreaser with the grit and dirt. Once you have dried off the bike with dry clothes, then you can lubricate the chain and all the moving parts that will all be shiny and clean, which all helps to look after your bike.

As to lubricants this depends on where you live and what you do with your bike. If it rains a lot or you ride off road, then you will need a heavier lubricant. If you are in a dry area, then you can go for a light oil or a chain wax.

Finish Line do manufacture an all in one cleaner and lubricant, which they call “1-Step Cleaner & Lubricant” it removes grime and leaves a clean low friction film of lubricant. It also helps to prevent component wear and protection. I’ve not used it, so I can’t say it’s good or bad.

Lubricants should contain some Teflon, the more the better as it helps smooth running and protects your equipment from wear.