Why WD-40 is Bad for Your Bike Chain
Using WD-40 as a chain lube can actually damage your chain.
Video updates
- 00:12 - The product actually began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and de-greaser to protect missile parts.
Near the end of last week’s tutorial, I mentioned that WD-40 should never be used as a chain lubricant. Quite a few people wanted to know what I meant by that. Here’s an explanation.
WD-40 was developed by the military in the 50s as a rust preventative solvent and de-greaser to protect missile parts. It quickly became a household item when people discovered it had thousands of other uses as a cleaner, rust-prevention agent, squeak-stopper and more. It also works wonders as a light lubricant on small items like hinges, locks, and toys.
Bicycle chains, on the other hand, are far too heavy and fast-moving for the lubricating power of WD-40 to have any effect at all. As a matter of fact, WD-40 will actually strip away any existing lubricant and leave your drivetrain dry – metal on metal. Basically, spraying this stuff on your chain is worse than using no lubricant at all!
Obviously, I strongly recommend using chain oil purchased from your local bike shop. Just go down there and ask them for regular waterproof chain oil. It shouldn’t be any more than 10 or 12 bucks, and it’s the best thing you can buy for your bike. My personal favorite is Cross Country, but if you want the Caviar, you can get quality oils from companies like Phil Wood. We’ll talk more about lubricants later…
Related Links
- Jim Langley: Cleaning Your Drivetrain
- Sheldon Brown: Chain Maintenance
- Bicycle Torque Specifications
Recommended Tools
- Finish Line Wet Chain Lube (Cross Country)
- Phil Wood Tenacious Oil
- Boeshield T-9 Wax Lubricant
- Park Tool WTK-2 Essential Tool Kit
- Park Tool SK-3 Starter Mechanic Tool Kit
- Park Tool PK-3 Professional Tool Kit
Categories
Discuss this topic in the Bicycle Repairs and Mechanics Forum
Catastrophic bicycle failures
Latest post 2 days agoAs some of you know, I bought a new bicycle that failed catastrophically within 3 days.. The gears were slipping and skipping right from day zero. It’s a 3 x 8 setup, and the shop mechanic claimed the manufacturer had mistakenly installed a 7-speed rear derailleur instead of an 8-speed. Whether that's true or not, he eventually swapped it out for a new 8-speed derailleur after my complaints....
Read moreHow to clean a bike for beginners (Foxter mtb 29er)
Latest post 2 weeks agoHello. I'm a beginner and I want to know how to clean a bike properly, do diagnostics test to make sure the group set is proper. And make sure my bike is pristine before and after every ride. Bonus question, do you have any videos on foxter mtb 29ers on how to disassemble and reassemble parts of the bike?...
Read moreNeed suntour derailleur replacement
Latest post 4 weeks agoMy sensation crossroads cruz needs a rear derailleur. I need to verify which shimano part and shifter will work. Thanks Bob...
Read morePros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader valves
Latest post 1 month agoA question I've wanted to ask for a while now. From a personal point of view, what have you found to be the positives and negatives of these two valves? What would your preference be?...
Read moreFreehub replacement sealed bearing wheel
Latest post 2 months agoI have a Bontrager Race wheel with sealed bearings. While I have a lot of experience with wheels that have loose bearings, I don't have much with wheels that have sealed bearings. So here is my question; how do I get the axle out and the freehub off? Once the axle nuts were off, unlike a wheel with loose bearings, the axle itself still feels rigidly in place. I've watched some youtube videos ...
Read moreShimano RevoShift upgrade
Latest post 2 months agoHello. I bought a 2003 Raleigh SC40 recently. It is in very good shape but does show its age in areas. One is the 3x8 Shimano RevoShift twist shifters. They work just fine but are cosmetically challenged. The right rear shifter plastic cover has broken. I am inclined to replace both with new Shimano twist shifters. Hoping for suggestions, recommendations and cautions. Thanks for the help. ...
Read moreSram Transmission derailleur possibly dead?
Latest post 2 months agoI have a bike in with an unresponsive transmission derailleur. Customer said it was hit with a stick that went into the spokes. There's no obvious damage other than wear and tear scuff marks. The battery is good and tested with the dropper. The shifter is good and working. The button on the derailleur does nothing. Single click, double clicking and holding the button. no response, no servo buzz,...
Read moreSpecialized bicycle post issue
Latest post 3 months agoHi folks - this is my first post! The seat post on my year old Roll 3.0 is doing something annoying. It has a bit of play around the shiny collar just above the post clamp (see photo). I was told there is a plastic sheathing inside. Can this be fixed or is the seat post all one assembly? IMG_3153.jpeg (Size: 58.61 KB / Downloads: 758) ...
Read morePhilodo H8 5000W
Latest post 3 months agoHave a out 300 miles on a Philodo H8 5000W. A couple of times, after turning it on, it flashed "12" for a few seconds. Anyone have a clue?...
Read moreAxle keeps slipping on applying force/climbing hills..
Latest post 3 months agoMy friend is having this issue where the axle keeps slipping in the rear dropouts and hit the chain stay on the non-drive side. IMG-20260418-WA0021.jpg (Size: 82.12 KB / Downloads: 115) This usually happens when a lot of force (climbing on a high gear or standing to sprint) is applied. It’s worse when the bicycle is loaded up with camping gear on the rear rack. Things tried t...
Read moresuspicious broken part after service--is this legit?
Latest post 4 months agoHey all, I'd love some feedback on a repair issue. I just got the brakes bled and the first ride after was fine. But after one week of sitting idle, I took it out and the rear brake was suddenly making a horrible loud screeching noise when applied. Took it back to the shop and the mechanic showed how the two halves of the brake were not perfectly aligned and holding firm and there was oil leakage....
Read more70's=80's Free Spirit Blaze MTN
Latest post 4 months ago70's-80's Free Spirit Blaze MTN 2.JPG (Size: 21.86 KB / Downloads: 34) 3.JPG (Size: 33.89 KB / Downloads: 34) DSCN3722.JPG (Size: 32.65 KB / Downloads: 32) 4.JPG (Size: 56.63 KB / Downloads: 32) I need a front index shift lever or the matched set. Falcon derailleur, 10 speed or whatever is compatible. 7.3mm is the closet spacing measure...
Read moreFront Disc screeching/vibration .. help please :-)
Latest post 4 months agoFront Disc brake(Shimano) makes dreadful noise/vibration just at the ‘bite’ point where it stop the wheel (final 2 or 3 cms of rotation on the rotor ! Only started a month ago No luck in sorting it ! .. have had pads, rotor and caliper all replaced and it makes very little difference (all are clean, aligned and functioning as they should) Absolutely no problem on the rear. Don’t know wh...
Read more2nd hand rad rover repair help needed
Latest post 4 months agoSo I bought this second hand rad rover five power bike it worked for the whole day and the end of the day I thought it died on me but it hasn't been able to start back up please contact me if you think you could help I've done some research and I have no idea what I'm doing I just need some help somebody knows what they're doing to guide me with this please I spent all my money on this I don't hav...
Read moreNeed help with Drivetrain Update
Latest post 6 months agoHello everyone, I'm an older lifelong cyclist that recently had my beloved old yeti mountain bike stolen, and to try and fill that void, I picked up a 2015 Specialized Crosstrail (I'm riding more paved and gravel trails these days, my full-on mountain bike days are over!). The bike was in very good physical condition, apparently very lightly used. I was unable to ride before purchase, but it looke...
Read more





