SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Specification

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As we’ve established, it’s lithium-based. Lithium has long been popular in marine and automotive applications thanks to its tenacity, lubrication, weather and corrosion resistance. Pure lithium types aren’t kind to rubberised components and have been associated with galvanic corrosion (where metals of different parentage seize together) aluminium alloy posts in steel frames, for example.

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Zinc naphthenate and Zinc Oxides also feature here and have similar properties. The former is used in greases as an anti-wear additive, but, fun fact, also used in anti-fungicides and mould inhibitors. Zinc Oxides reduce friction, prevent wash-out, galvanic corrosion and boost thermal stability. Precisely the properties you’d want of a stout grease. However, they’re not kind to aquatic life, eyes, and can cause dermatitis. Aside from our 150ml pot, a 1 litre workshop version is available for £25.  

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Application 3.5/5

 

It can be applied straight from the pot via your fingers, or you can fill a traditional grease gun for more precise, mess-free delivery. I’ve taken the finger route, since I’ve found it most convenient for packing hubs and headsets. Temperature stability is good, although in cooler weather, the bearing juice has a putty-like texture. This doesn’t transfer so readily to skin and other surfaces, but makes achieving even coverage trickier. Leaving the pot in a warm area for twenty minutes works wonders. 

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Beyond 23 degrees, it softens to a lovely consistency for bearings, hubs and headset races. Don examination gloves, especially if you have sensitive skin, or are prone to dermatitis. Ensure hosts are thoroughly stripped of any pre-existing lube, grime and contaminant as appropriate. I deliberately left traces of other grease to test for any incompatibility issues between them and the Bearing Juice.

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Test Bikes & Contexts

 

Ursula Ursula Makeover & Mod Pt IV | cycling-not-racing, Denise Denise, 12 Months Down the Trail | cycling-not-racing and Muffin Bicycle Strip Down and Rebuild | cycling-not-racing are ridden year-round on and off road, so ideal candidates. Ursula and Denise also feature "boots" made from scrap butyl to protect the lower headset races from being engulfed in crap thrown up by the front wheel. I also tend to be more generous around the bottom race, resulting in some "ooze out" over time. This would also help assess the Bearing Juice's kindness to sensitive rubberised components.  ​Hubs, headsets, bottom brackets and pedals were my defaults. Out of curiosity, I've also slathered some on Hollowtech II axles and the odd threaded component.

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The high viscosity makes an excellent, gooey bed for loose bearings, greatly reducing the likelihood of them falling out when reinstating axles, fork steerers etc. During reassembly, I’ve given aheadset preload bolts a quick lick but generally speaking, the Bearing Juice’s texture doesn’t cling convincingly to pedal threads, mudguard hardware, cassette lockrings etc. Stick with assembly or generic types here.  

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During the winter and early season, I’ve frequently navigated flooded roads and trails. Situations where water’s been lapping at the bike’s hubs and completely engulfing the trailer’s. Mind you, I’d swerve river riding wherever possible, since the lithium and zincs are toxic to aquatic life.  The same would go for anything PTFE infused, too. On that note, while I’d advocate donning examination gloves, I’ve often applied Bearing Juice bare-handed without any irritation. There’s been no staining, or discolouration of finishes-whether anodised, painted, or plated. However, while better than some, it can stain fabrics-something to bear in mind if you’re prone to impromptu post-ride servicing.

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Lubrication 4/5

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Freshly packed, hubs, headsets and pedals felt buttery smooth and ultra refined, which was particularly obvious following bearing replacement on budget groups. Alivio and Deore hubs, those common to touring trailers, external bottom brackets, Denise’s Stronglight A9 ST headset being prime examples.  Stodgy composition also helped add some “weighting” to pedals, meaning dual-sided designs were more likely to remain cleat side up for quicker getaways. 

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Friction was more apparent on Hollowtech II axles, especially coming from Peaty’s Sped Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing. In fairness, this wasn't obviously greater than a stodgy, generic, lithium or PTFE- infused formula and wouldn't faze me on a commuter build.

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​Bearing Juice has attracted very modest amounts of grime, but as the photos illustrate, this seems trapped within the top layer. Otherwise, subjected to the elements and temperatures between minus 6 and plus 33 degrees, stability and adhesion to surfaces are universally excellent. Bearings have remained reassuringly slick, through hell and sometimes high water. 

 

Durability & Corrosion Resistance 4/5

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This slickness takes a long while to taper off. Twelve months later, save for the odd snugg-down, no signs of wear. Though good practice to strip and re-grease annually, all felt fine, so I deferred a bit longer. By the fourteenth month, steering felt smooth-ish, prompting a disciplined strip-down. Mudguards and headset boots obviously help, but 10,000 miles later, everything released effortlessly. Bearings, races, axles etc still sported a thinning, though effective layer of grease. No hint of corrosion or water ingress anywhere.  

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Value 3.5/5

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Cycling-specific bearing greases are relatively niche. 14 months and several bikes, trailers etc al given liberal helpings, there's a useful amount left in our 150ml tub. £10.99 is also a competitive price for greases generally.  Morgan Blue Campa Pro Bicycle Bearing/hub Grease comes in at £11.99 for a 200ml tub, or £56 for a 1litre workshop size. However, I've not used any, so can't comment further.

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Motorex Bike Grease 2000 (£9.99 for 100ml) is another very tenacious formula that's been around a good while now. Those who want a single grease to cover all bases may find something like Wolf Tooth WT-G Precision Bike Grease Wolf Tooth WT-G Precision Bike Grease | cycling-not-racing a better choice. I've been very impressed by its all-round component-friendly lubrication and weatherproof qualities, but again, it's a bit dearer than the Bearing Juice.  

 

Muc-Off Bio Grease (now £23) TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE is theoretically kinder to environment and user alike, yet still very durable.  Green Oil Bio Grease TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (now £17.99 for 200ml) is kind to the environment and in my experience, a great alternative to PTFE infused greases.

White Lightning Crystal TESTED : WHITE LIGHTNING CRYSTAL GREASE is another versatile, durable ceramic. Aside from the 100g tube tested, there’s a workshop ready 16Oz tub.

 

At the other end of the spectrum, you can pay a lot less. While I'd be more careful around seals and rubberised components, Zefal Pro II Grease Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing is slick, stoical and giving change from £5, represents seriously good value.

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Summary

 

Some people just want a single, all-purpose grease. I empathise with this "simple-life" perspective, but purpose-specific types also have genuine advantages. Racers seeking minimal friction are arguably best served by Peaty's Speed Grease, or Juice Lubes own Slick Juice. Otherwise, TheJuice Lubes Bearing Juice Waterproof Grease is a really dependable choice, especially for bikes that rack up big miles in all weathers. 

 

Michael Stenning

 

 Verdict: 3.75/5 Smooth, long-lasting grease that’s particularly suited to bikes in hard service.

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Juice Lubes - No Nonsense Bike Care

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