Comments on: Why WD-40 is Bad for Your Bike Chain

By: Wadhamite

Wadhamite — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:02:10 +0000

I commute 6,000 miles a year by bicycle and have found by experience that the best low-cost, efficient, all-purpose bicycle lubricant for me is a 50/50 mix of automatic transmission fluid and Rislone engine treatment. The blend is a nice light purple color, since ATF is red and Rislone is blue. The mixture penetrates well (thanks to the Rislone) and reduces friction equally well since ATF is intended for gears (rather than engine crankcases). I use a drop oiler to apply the oil. The mix is good down to about zero degrees, which is as cold as I ride. It works fine on chains.

How long do my chains last? About 1,000 miles in winter snow and salt; up to 2,500 miles in warm dry summer weather.

By: Loraine

Loraine — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:54:36 +0000

Geez. I just bought a nice (and expensive) bike and the first thing I did was adjust the seat and put on some W-D 40. I will go out and re-lube with some good bike oil. Thank goodness I saw this before it was too late.

By: Karol

Karol — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:48:34 +0000

This is a great and informative site, wished that I had found it before. I always figured that WD 40 was okay as a chain lube and it seemed to work okay for me but then I am a very low mileage rider, however I will certaintly use a chain lube from now on.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:05:32 +0000

I asked my local bike shop how they clean the chains and they use WD-40 on a rag if the chain is slightly dirty or with a toothbrush for real dirty chains. Then wipe any leftover WD-40 off with a clean rag and apply chain oil. Works great for me.
has anyone used powdered graphite as a cable lube? its dry, cheap and fairly easy to apply.

By: Raz

Raz — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:37:10 +0000

Oh boy, here we go again (settles into comfy chain with popcorn).

It is very true that WD-40 sucks as a lube. It is also true that there are tons of wonderful lubes out there, so which one is best?

Answer: It really depends on your style and location. IF you live in the hot and dry, then most “dry” lubes work pretty well. Boeshield is actually a pretty good choice. So are waxy lubes like white lightning. If you live in wet, grimy conditions (I live in Seattle) then something a little “wetter” like tri-flow works well. Oil is great. It penetrates and lasts for a long time, but you have to be very careful to get all the excess off. Phil’s tenacious is wonderful stuff, but it is so sticky that unless you get your chain very clean AFTER you apply the oil, you will attract so much grit into your drivetrain that the oil will end up destroying your components.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:25:09 +0000

“White Lighting is a good brand, and there’s another one called Boeshield which is supposed to be even better.”

Boeshield T-9 is originally for use on aircraft components by the Boeing Corp. in Washington state. It states on the label:

“Boeshield T-9 penetrates, cleans and dries to a waxy film that lubricates and protects for months.”

It does as it says – and very well.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:02:55 +0000

$10-12?? I was thinking more like $6, unless your getting more volume. Triflow is great stuff and comes with a straw. Dont ever lose the straw! its what makes triflow so useful.

By: Brian Curnel

Brian Curnel — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:34:43 +0000

I have used Fishing Reel oil before its very portable and has a nice needle dropper to get into more precise areas.

By: Price Houston

Price Houston — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:17:23 +0000

Chain saw bar oil works good and is cheap, and any roller chain non-slinging lubricant works well also, but needs to be cleaned regularly, because it is thick and collects ground dirt.

Nice Site,
Thank You

By: Robert Toronto

Robert Toronto — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:51:37 +0000

I once took a sewing machine in for repair. I started telling him I had used WD40 as a… got no further then that he was freaking on me. “as a cleaner prior to using sewing machine oil” is what I had intended to say.

I have used wd40 many times on a chain to get it loosened up after rusting outside. It also works as well as gas or paint thinners for washing old oil off the chain. Aside from loosening rust it is great for REMOVING oil. Working in the automotive industry, when car door hinges and locks were worn out it was because the customer had been ‘oiling’ them with, guess what? WD40 .

The company should be made put a disclaimer on the label. “This is not oil!”