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You already know how important routine maintenance is for your bicycle. It keeps your bike running at peak performance and it can also keep you safe while on the road.
While you may not need to grease your bike pedals as often as you do other moving parts such as the chain and gears, you still need to grease the pedals every few months. The frequency will depend on how often and how far you ride. Consider greasing pedals once a month if you ride on particularly dusty dirt paths. Grease also comes in handy when you need to get pedals off a bike.
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Let’s take a look at what kind of grease to use for bike pedals.
Best Grease for Bike Pedals
The best lubricant for bike pedals is one that is made specifically for use on a bicycle. Several companies produce grease for bikes. Our four favorite bike lubricants are from Whistler Performance Lubricants, Park Tool, Finish Line, and CyclingDeal:
| Product | Brand | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Whistler Performance Lubricants | See Deal |
 | Park Tool | See Deal |
 | Finish Line | See Deal |
 | CyclingDeal | See Deal |
When trying to choose between the many bike pedal lubricants available, the first place to start is with your bike’s materials (aluminum, titanium, alloy, and so on). Make sure that the lubricant you buy is compatible with your bicycle and will not damage the material.
Price may also be a factor in your choice. Most of the companies above have very affordable pricing, but you may also need to buy a grease gun. Also, keep in mind that it is sometimes a better financial decision to buy a larger, more expensive container if it will last longer, especially if you know for certain that it is the product you need.
What Kind of Grease To Use for Bike Pedals
You do not necessarily have to use a grease made specifically for bike pedals. Other types will work just as well. We recommend finding something that is made for moving parts, though. Certain types of car grease, machinery grease, and even some types of grease used by locksmiths for doors can all be safely used on bicycles.
Once again, the most important thing is to know what materials your bike is made out of and make sure the grease will not damage it.
Using Common Household Products Instead of Pedal Grease
If you don’t want to go out and buy lubricant for your bike pedals, you might be wondering if there are any items around your home that you could use instead. Two items that people frequently ask about are Vaseline and WD-40.
Can You Use Vaseline on Bike Pedals?
You can use Vaseline to grease bicycle pedals. But if you ride professionally or do a great deal of riding on difficult terrain, it may not be the best idea. It also isn’t the best product to use if your bike will be exposed to very high temperatures. But otherwise, it should be just fine to use Vaseline in place of traditional bike pedal grease.
Can You Use WD-40 on Bike Pedals?
You should not use WD-40 on bike pedals. WD-40 has certain added chemicals and solvents that make it unsuitable for use on something like a bike pedal. Even though it might feel greasy, it is actually a degreaser. Nonetheless, it is a good item to have around for other bike maintenance issues, such as cleaning your chain.
And keep in mind that WD-40 also markets a proper bike lubricant under its brand, which would be fine for greasing your pedals.
How To Grease Bike Pedals
We strongly recommend reading articles or watching some online tutorials before greasing your pedals for the first time. Better yet, have a more seasoned cyclist (who has probably completed this task dozens of times) help you:
Your bike is an investment. Don’t take chances with it by putting off necessary maintenance. Once you find the right grease and learn the right techniques, greasing the pedals will become an easy part of your bike maintenance routine.
Image at top: © Mace Ojala | Creative Commons