How to Lubricate Your Bike

Most cyclists know that a bike chain needs regular lubrication, but many other parts of the bike also need the right type of maintenance. Components such as the headset, wheel hubs, seatpost and bottom bracket are exposed to pressure, moisture, sweat, road salt, dirt and vibration. If these parts are neglected, they can start creaking, seize in place, develop play or wear out faster than necessary.

In this complete guide, we explain how to lubricate and maintain the most important contact points and rotating parts on your bike: the headset, hubs, seatpost and bottom bracket. You will learn which parts need grease, which parts need assembly paste, when not to use chain lube and which products are best suited for each application.

For bike cleaning and maintenance, view the range of Velorest bike maintenance products and Lindemann lubricants such as Lindemann MP790 Assembly Paste and Lindemann Red-G Multi-Purpose Grease.

Bike lubrication: not every part needs the same product

One of the most common mistakes in bike maintenance is using one lubricant for everything. A bike chain, seatpost, headset bearing and bottom bracket thread all have different lubrication needs. Using the wrong product can attract dirt, reduce clamping force, damage components or fail to protect against corrosion.

Before you start, it is useful to understand the main product types:

• Chain lube: designed for chains, sprockets, chainrings and derailleurs. Use Velorest Chain Lube Wet for the drivetrain, not for bearings or seatposts.
• Assembly paste: used on contact surfaces, threads and fitted parts to prevent seizing, corrosion and creaking. Lindemann MP790 Assembly Paste is ideal for many bike assembly points.
• Grease: used for bearings, hubs, headset components and other parts that need long-lasting lubrication under load. Lindemann Red-G Multi-Purpose Grease is suitable for many grease-lubricated applications, especially where pressure, water and dirt are present.
• Bike cleaner: used to clean the frame, wheels and general surfaces. Velorest Bike Cleaner is suitable for regular bike cleaning.
• Chain cleaner: used on greasy drivetrain parts such as the chain, cassette, chainrings and derailleur jockey wheels. Use Velorest Chain Cleaner for this.

The golden rule is simple: use Velorest products to clean and maintain the bike and drivetrain, use Velorest Chain Lube Wet for chain lubrication, use Lindemann MP790 for assembly points and use Lindemann Red-G where a true grease is required.

Which parts of a bike need lubrication or grease?

Not every part needs frequent lubrication, but several areas should be cleaned, inspected and re-greased periodically. The table below shows which product type fits each part best.

When does your bike need lubrication?

Some lubrication tasks are part of regular cleaning, while others belong to periodic service. You may lubricate your chain every few rides in wet weather, but only service the headset, hubs or bottom bracket a few times per year or when symptoms appear.

Your bike may need lubrication, cleaning or re-greasing if you notice:

• creaking when pedalling;
• clicking or knocking from the headset;
• rough or dry-feeling wheel bearings;
• a seized or stuck seatpost;
• rust around bolts, bearings or the seatpost area;
• play in the headset, hub or bottom bracket;
• grinding noises when turning the handlebars, wheels or crankset;
• difficulty removing pedals, seatpost or bottom bracket parts.

Noise does not always mean a part needs more lubricant. Sometimes it means a part is loose, worn, contaminated or incorrectly adjusted. Always inspect the component before adding product.

Headset lubrication: how to grease your bike headset

The headset allows the handlebar and fork to rotate smoothly. It sits at the front of the frame and is exposed to rain, sweat, road spray and pressure from steering. A dry or contaminated headset can creak, feel rough or develop play.

Signs your headset needs attention

• Knocking when braking with the front brake.
• Rough or notchy steering.
• Creaking from the front of the bike.
• Rust or dirt around the headset bearings.
• Play when rocking the bike back and forth with the front brake applied.

Which product should you use for the headset?

For headset bearings, use a real grease such as Lindemann Red-G Multi-Purpose Grease. Red-G is suitable for many grease-lubricated situations and performs well where pressure, moisture and contamination are present. This makes it a logical choice for headset bearings and bearing seats.

For bolts, contact surfaces or areas where parts can seize together, use Lindemann MP790 Assembly Paste. MP790 helps prevent parts from sticking over time and is suitable for assembly points where easy future disassembly is important.

How to lubricate a headset

1. Clean the outside of the headset area with Velorest Bike Cleaner.
2. Remove the stem cap, stem and spacers carefully.
3. Lower or remove the fork enough to access the headset bearings.
4. Wipe away old grease, dirt and moisture.
5. Inspect the bearings for rust, roughness or pitting.
6. Apply Lindemann Red-G to the bearing surfaces and contact areas where grease is required.
7. Use Lindemann MP790 sparingly on suitable bolts or assembly contact points.
8. Reassemble the headset and adjust preload correctly.
9. Check that the steering turns smoothly without play.

Important: do not overtighten the top cap. The top cap is used to set bearing preload, not to clamp the stem permanently. The stem bolts do the clamping.

Wheel hub lubrication: how to grease bike hubs

Wheel hubs allow the wheels to spin smoothly. Some hubs use sealed cartridge bearings, while others use cup-and-cone bearings that can be serviced and re-greased. The correct maintenance method depends on the hub design.

Signs your bike hubs need service

• The wheel feels rough when spinning.
• There is side-to-side play in the wheel.
• The hub makes grinding or clicking noises.
• The wheel does not spin freely.
• Water, rust or dirt is visible around the axle or seals.

Which product should you use for hubs?

For serviceable hub bearings, use Lindemann Red-G Multi-Purpose Grease. A hub bearing needs a grease that stays in place, resists water and protects under load. Red-G is the better choice here than assembly paste or chain lube.

Use Lindemann MP790 Assembly Paste only on relevant assembly points, threads or axle contact areas where anti-seize protection is needed. Do not use assembly paste as a replacement for bearing grease inside the hub.

How to grease serviceable bike hubs

1. Remove the wheel from the bike.
2. Clean the outside of the hub with Velorest Bike Cleaner.
3. Open the hub according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Remove old grease, dirt and loose bearings if applicable.
5. Inspect cones, cups and bearings for pitting, rust or wear.
6. Apply fresh Lindemann Red-G to the bearing surfaces.
7. Reinstall bearings and adjust bearing preload correctly.
8. Check that the wheel spins smoothly without play.

If your wheel uses sealed cartridge bearings and they feel rough, they usually need replacement rather than extra grease. Some cartridge bearings can be opened and re-greased, but this depends on the bearing type and condition.

Seatpost lubrication: how to prevent a stuck seatpost

A stuck seatpost is one of the most frustrating bike maintenance problems. Moisture, sweat, road salt and galvanic corrosion can cause the seatpost to seize inside the frame. This is especially common when a metal seatpost sits in a metal frame for a long time without assembly paste.

Why seatposts get stuck

• Corrosion between seatpost and frame.
• Water entering the seat tube.
• Sweat dripping onto the frame during indoor training.
• Road salt and winter grime.
• No assembly paste used during installation.
• Seatpost left untouched for years.

Which product should you use for a seatpost?

For a metal seatpost in a metal frame, Lindemann MP790 Assembly Paste is the preferred choice. MP790 helps prevent seizing and makes future disassembly easier. This is exactly what you want for a seatpost, pedal thread or other fitted bike part that may need to be removed later.

For carbon seatposts or carbon frames, use a carbon-specific assembly paste unless the bike manufacturer states otherwise. Standard grease can reduce friction too much, which may require higher clamping force and increase the risk of damage. Carbon paste contains particles that increase grip at lower torque.

How to apply assembly paste to a seatpost

1. Mark your saddle height with tape before removing the seatpost.
2. Remove the seatpost from the frame.
3. Clean the seatpost and inside of the seat tube.
4. Use Velorest Bike Cleaner on external dirt and wipe everything dry.
5. Inspect the seatpost for corrosion, cracks or damage.
6. Apply a thin, even layer of Lindemann MP790 to the insertion area for metal-to-metal applications.
7. Reinstall the seatpost to the correct height.
8. Tighten the seatpost clamp to the correct torque.

Do not apply too much paste. A thin layer is enough. Excess product can attract dirt and may be pushed out when the seatpost is inserted.

Bottom bracket lubrication: how to maintain the crank and bottom bracket area

The bottom bracket sits where the crankset rotates through the frame. It is exposed to high pedalling forces, water spray, dirt and sometimes frame movement. A dry or contaminated bottom bracket area can creak, click or feel rough under load.

Signs your bottom bracket needs attention

• Creaking while pedalling.
• Clicking under load.
• Rough feeling when turning the crank by hand.
• Side-to-side play in the crankset.
• Water or rust around the bottom bracket shell.
• Noise that increases when climbing or sprinting.

Which product should you use for the bottom bracket?

The right product depends on the bottom bracket type.

• Threaded bottom bracket: use Lindemann MP790 Assembly Paste on threads to help prevent seizing and make future removal easier. In some applications, Lindemann Red-G can also be used where grease is preferred.
• Press-fit bottom bracket: use the product recommended by the frame or bottom bracket manufacturer. Some systems require grease, some require assembly compound and some require retaining compound. Do not guess.
• Serviceable bottom bracket bearings: use Lindemann Red-G if the bearings are designed to be cleaned and re-greased.
• Sealed cartridge bottom bracket: if the bearing is rough or worn, replacement is usually better than lubrication.

Bottom bracket creaks are often misdiagnosed. The sound may also come from pedals, chainring bolts, crank bolts, cleats, seatpost or rear axle. Clean and inspect related parts before replacing the bottom bracket.

How to maintain a threaded bottom bracket

1. Clean the crank and bottom bracket area with Velorest Bike Cleaner.
2. Remove the crankset according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Remove the bottom bracket with the correct tool.
4. Clean the frame threads and bottom bracket threads carefully.
5. Inspect the threads for corrosion or damage.
6. Apply a thin layer of Lindemann MP790 Assembly Paste to the threads.
7. Reinstall the bottom bracket to the correct torque.
8. Reinstall the crankset and check for smooth rotation.

Do not use chain lube on bottom bracket threads or bearings. Chain lube is too thin for this application and will not provide the long-lasting protection that grease or assembly paste can offer.

Pedals, bolts and other assembly points

While this blog focuses on the headset, hubs, seatpost and bottom bracket, there are several other bike parts where assembly paste is useful. Pedal threads, bottle cage bolts, cleat bolts, thru-axles and some stem or handlebar bolts can seize over time due to moisture, sweat and road salt.

For these applications, Lindemann MP790 Assembly Paste is usually the better choice than grease. It is designed for assembly points where reducing friction, preventing seizing and allowing future disassembly are important.

Use it sparingly on:

• pedal threads;
• bottle cage bolts;
• metal seatposts;
• some thru-axle contact areas;
• threaded bottom bracket cups;
• bolts exposed to moisture and road salt.

Always follow torque specifications, especially on carbon frames, stems, handlebars and seatposts.

Where Velorest products fit in

Velorest products are especially useful before and after lubrication work. A lubricant, assembly paste or grease works best on clean surfaces. Applying grease over dirt, sand or old contamination can trap abrasive particles inside the component.

Use Velorest for cleaning and drivetrain care. Use Lindemann MP790 and Red-G for assembly and grease points where long-term protection is needed.

How to lubricate the chain correctly

Although this guide focuses on bike lubrication beyond the chain, the chain remains the most frequently serviced lubricated part on the bike. A chain should be cleaned before lubrication, especially if it is black, gritty, sandy or sticky.

Use Velorest Chain Cleaner to remove old lubricant, grease, sand and dirt from the chain, cassette, chainrings and derailleur wheels. Once the drivetrain is clean and dry, apply Velorest Chain Lube Wet.

Velorest Chain Lube Wet can be used as the all-round chain lubricant for both dry and wet riding conditions. In wet, muddy or demanding conditions, it helps protect the chain against moisture and dirt. In dry conditions, it can also be used effectively as long as you apply it sparingly and wipe off any excess lubricant after application.

1. Clean the chain with Velorest Chain Cleaner if it is dirty.
2. Dry the chain thoroughly with a microfibre cloth.
3. Apply Velorest Chain Lube Wet to the chain rollers, not just the outside plates.
4. Rotate the pedals backwards to distribute the lubricant.
5. Let the lubricant penetrate.
6. Wipe off excess lubricant from the outside of the chain.

The outside of the chain does not need to be wet with lubricant. Too much lube attracts dirt and can turn the drivetrain black and sticky very quickly.

Common mistakes when lubricating a bike

• Using chain lube everywhere: chain lube is not suitable as bearing grease or seatpost assembly paste.
• Greasing carbon parts incorrectly: carbon components often require carbon assembly paste, not standard grease.
• Over-greasing: too much product attracts dirt and can contaminate braking surfaces.
• Ignoring torque values: overtightening can damage threads, clamps and carbon parts.
• Not cleaning first: grease, paste and lubricant work best on clean, dry surfaces.
• Using grease where assembly paste is better: for seatposts and threaded assembly points, MP790 may be the better choice.
• Using assembly paste as bearing grease: bearings need proper grease, such as Red-G, not assembly paste.
• Ignoring play or roughness: lubrication cannot fix worn bearings or damaged parts.
• Applying too much chain lube: excess chain lubricant attracts dirt and increases drivetrain contamination.

Bike lubrication maintenance schedule

The ideal maintenance interval depends on how often you ride, the weather, bike type and storage conditions. Wet, salty and muddy environments require more frequent maintenance.

If you ride in winter, rain, mud or coastal areas, inspect and service these parts more often. Sweat from indoor training can also cause corrosion, especially around the headset, stem, bolts and seatpost.

Quick product guide

Frequently asked questions about bike lubrication

Can I use chain lube on my headset or hubs?

No. Chain lube is too thin for headset bearings and hub bearings. Use a proper grease such as Lindemann Red-G Multi-Purpose Grease for serviceable bearings.

Should I grease my seatpost?

For a metal seatpost in a metal frame, use an assembly paste such as Lindemann MP790 to help prevent seizing. For carbon seatposts or carbon frames, use carbon-specific assembly paste unless the manufacturer advises otherwise.

What grease should I use for bike hubs?

For serviceable hubs, use a high-quality grease that resists water and pressure. Lindemann Red-G is a suitable option for many grease-lubricated hub applications.

How do I stop my bottom bracket from creaking?

First check whether the noise really comes from the bottom bracket. Pedals, chainring bolts, cleats, seatpost and rear axle can make similar noises. For threaded bottom brackets, cleaning the threads and applying Lindemann MP790 Assembly Paste during installation can help prevent creaking and seizing.

How often should I service my headset?

Inspect the headset every few months or after very wet rides. Service it when steering feels rough, there is play, or you hear knocking or creaking from the front of the bike.

Can I use MP790 as bearing grease?

No. MP790 is an assembly paste and is best used on threads, contact surfaces and parts that need anti-seize protection. For bearings, use a grease such as Lindemann Red-G.

Can I use Red-G on threads?

In some cases, yes, but for threaded assembly points where future disassembly and anti-seize protection are the main goals, Lindemann MP790 is usually the better fit.

Can I use Velorest Chain Lube Wet in dry weather?

Yes. Velorest Chain Lube Wet can be used as an all-round chain lubricant in both dry and wet conditions. In dry conditions, apply it sparingly and wipe off excess lubricant to prevent unnecessary dirt build-up.

Should I clean the chain before lubricating it?

Yes, especially if the chain is black, gritty, sandy or sticky. Use Velorest Chain Cleaner, dry the drivetrain and then apply Velorest Chain Lube Wet.

Conclusion

Bike lubrication is more than just applying chain lube. The headset, hubs, seatpost and bottom bracket all need the right type of maintenance. The chain needs a proper chain lubricant, bearings need grease and assembly points often benefit from assembly paste.

Use Velorest Bike Cleaner and Velorest Chain Cleaner to clean the bike and drivetrain before maintenance. Use Velorest Chain Lube Wet as the all-round chain lubricant for both dry and wet riding conditions. Use Lindemann MP790 Assembly Paste for seatposts, pedal threads and threaded assembly points. Use Lindemann Red-G Multi-Purpose Grease for serviceable bearings, hubs and headset applications where true grease lubrication is required.

By choosing the right product for each part, you reduce creaking, prevent seized components, improve long-term reliability and extend the life of your bike.

View all Velorest bike maintenance products