What do you use for cable lube?

[PachmanP]

What's the typical lubricant for cables?   I've seen a comment or two for wd-40, but would rather use something else since it's not really a lube when dry.

Is it something that's sort of a mostly few people who actually do it just use whatever?

Finally, I have some of the DuPont Teflon spray lube that I use on my chain.  Is there any good reason not to use that?

Thanks! 

[tt_four]

Not sure what the official answer was, but I was a bicycle mechanic for years, and have a ton of stuff still around so when I'm putting my stuff back together the cables will probably get a good coating in tri-flo, and that way my gs will smell like a banana instead of gasoline. I'm sure you could also just use some 3-in-1 from the hardware store, but that's not a promise.

[natedawg120]

I use chain wax.  I clean my chain with WD-40 and wax it up after a ride.  Although I will need to replace my chain at some point, its not in terrible shape but i don't think the previous owner though chain maintenance was all that important.

[Cal Price]

Firstly let me say i'm a great advocate of "use what you have" - i don't know anything about teflon spray but if you think it fits the bill.........

I am pretty sure that the recomended lubricant would be an adhesive grease, usually in an aerosol can and looks a bit like WD40 but very much is NOT the same. In Europe the most common ones come from the German manufacturer Wurth. It is very usefull for all sorts of things especially exposed hard wearing surfaces as it does not readily come if, it is what it says on the can adhesive grease.

[Dr.Sparkie]

WD-40 strikes me as kind of thin... I use some old 75w90 gear oil I have lying around and it makes the cables butter smooth. Remember there's alot of tension on the clutch cable, so it will need a heavier lube.

Teflon spray sounds sexy, little granules of teflon would get stuck in the cables rough spots and make everything smooth as glass. I know expensive handbrake cables for cars are teflon'd for that super smooth handbrake action.

[qwertydude]

If you've got a spray of chain lube any kind it'll work. If you don't wanna buy one of those stupid cable lubers here's a tip, use saran wrap. Place the end of the cable and the straw for the lube together so the spray can work into the end of the tube. Wrap it up tightly in saran wrap then wrap that in a cloth to absorb any possible leakage and spray away, you'll get a lot into the tube, surprisingly probably more than the actual cable luber tube which I find tends to leak all over the place.

[The Buddha]

Synthetic motor oil.
In fact it can be the lightly used variety. It dont have to have shear strength or film retaining capacity, or temperature break capacity or anything else for that matter.
Drop one end in the bottle and in and out and in and out ... thinking of your favorite porno star helps here ... hours ... then turn it around and repeat ... just like the ... you know ...

I of course lube my chain with lucas oil additive.
It prolly sucks in motors due to its foaming tendency - of course bobistheoilguy.com did not do temperature tests not did they valuate it over time or in a metal case and I dunno where there is that much room in a motor ... but foaming is somehting it can do ... bad for engine oil ...

Cool.
Buddha.

[purplepeopleeater]

Grease if inner cable is out, engine oil if can't be bothered to take inner out.

[PachmanP]

If you've got a spray of chain lube any kind it'll work. If you don't wanna buy one of those stupid cable lubers here's a tip, use saran wrap. Place the end of the cable and the straw for the lube together so the spray can work into the end of the tube. Wrap it up tightly in saran wrap then wrap that in a cloth to absorb any possible leakage and spray away, you'll get a lot into the tube, surprisingly probably more than the actual cable luber tube which I find tends to leak all over the place.

Hrrm that sounds like a good way to do it.  My stupid local mc shop didn't have any cable lube clamp things anyway.

Synthetic motor oil.
In fact it can be the lightly used variety. It dont have to have shear strength or film retaining capacity, or temperature break capacity or anything else for that matter.
Drop one end in the bottle and in and out and in and out ... thinking of your favorite porno star helps here ... hours ... then turn it around and repeat ... just like the ... you know ...

My arm is only trained for 2 min sprints... 

[GeeP]

Dupont Teflon Multi-Purpose Dry Lubricant

I ride year around, down to 0F or so.  I don't like my cables getting all stiff with grease or oil.   

Electrical tape works well for cable lubing as well.

[bill14224]

I'm a use what you have guy too, but lubes that stay on the cable work better and longer.  I have a can of silicone spray lube that sets-up into a grease so I use that, but I like Geep's suggestion too.  I think Teflon and silicone are better for uses like this.  Tri-Flow has Teflon in it too.

[purplepeopleeater]

Only one snapped cable in 22 years of riding with lubing cables via oil and grease. That was a Vespa drum brake cable - you should be ok as the gs brake's don't have cables. Of course, regular lube and maintenance of cables extends cable life before replacement is due,that's if you don't ditch or sell the bike. According to ACF-50, PTFE/Teflon traps moisture and does not displace it, i stay clear of it for this reason except for me fryng pan coating - even that doesn't last long after a few eggs and bacon have been fried.
Don't believe all the hype you read about the additive teflon and you'll be fine