[peternguyen]

Hi. When installing bottom brackets, what do you recommend, grease or anti-seize, or is either acceptable? I currently have a tube of <a href="http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/fortified-grease.htm">Finish Line Teflon Grease</a>, but i wanted to know if using anti-seize would be better, in which case i'm looking into getting the <a href="http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/ti-prep.htm">Finish Line Anti-Seize</a>.

Thanks.

 

[brillantesdv]

ive had no problems with a light coat of grease

 

[doco]

grease is good to use for the bb threads

except for ti frames, ti frames always use anti-seize in bb, headset, seatpost

 

[jcaino]

I've used grease in the past but more recently have switched to using teflon pipe wrap.

 

[brake jack]

I've used grease in the past but more recently have switched to using teflon pipe wrap.

+1
nothing can beat the teflon tape

 

[mtnbiker72]

Grease works, but Anti-Seize IME is longer lasting and I've yet to ever see or have a creaking or seized BB with it. I HAVE seen many a BB creaking and a few seized that had been greased but the grease had broken down or washed out.

 

[peternguyen]

What about the finish line grease i currently have (teflon based)? Has anyone used it and can comment on it? Is it worth getting the finish line anti-seize?

 

[mtnbiker72]

First off...it is not worth paying the premium of buying Finish Line Anti-Seize when you can go to your local auto parts store and buy the same stuff for a lot cheaper

That said, the grease is fine, but if you live and ride in environments that break down grease (either very wet or very hot and arid)...you should simply re-grease every 6-12 months (or if you start getting any creaking)

 

[Scream And Fly]

I use Finish Line grease for everything, it works perfect.

 

[N10S]

I have used all three (teflon-tape, grease, and anit-seize) when assembling bottom brackets.and the cheap tube of anti-seize purchased at an auto-zone goes a long way. I always use a torque wrench to set the BB cups, but have actually found the cups almost loose during disassembly in the past when using grease. Thats just one situation of this sort that I have run into, but it made me wonder. Most new bottom brackets come with a teflon tape type of coating on the cup threads from the factory, so I think that option is pretty sound as well.

 

[[email protected]]

i use anti-seize i dont see grease holding it in well...

 

[ae111black]

anti seize now but im gonna try teflon tape........

 

[peternguyen]

If using teflon tape, do you use it with grease as well, or just the tape alone?

 

[jcaino]

If using teflon tape, do you use it with grease as well, or just the tape alone?

just the tape.

 

[peternguyen]

just the tape.

How many layers?

 

[nnn]

I use a couple of layers of tape, sometimes with grease underneath, most times without.

 

[jcaino]

How many layers?

I put down two layers, each that slightly overlaps. You really don't need more layers than this, it just makes it harder to screw the cups in. Also, when using teflon tape, all threads involved should be clean, meaning grease-free.

 

[peternguyen]

Ok cool. So i take it then that teflon tape would be a better alternative to grease? If so, i will use this method.

A few question though, does teflon tape cause any difficulties upon removal? And i have also read that some people who use teflon tape also grease the internal threads (the threads inside the bb). What do you all think of this?

 

[jcaino]

Ok cool. So i take it then that teflon tape would be a better alternative to grease? If so, i will use this method.

A few question though, does teflon tape cause any difficulties upon removal? And i have also read that some people who use teflon tape also grease the internal threads (the threads inside the bb). What do you all think of this?

No, teflon tape comes off pretty easy, it more or less just peels off.

As I mentioned above, all threads should be clean when using pipe wrap, meaning no grease. Additionally you will need to mind the direction you apply the tape to ensure it doesn't unwrap when you screw in the cups.

 

[peternguyen]

No, teflon tape comes off pretty easy, it more or less just peels off.

I mean, is the actual bb cup easy to remove (unscrew) when using teflon tape?