PSA: I used to lube chains with WD-40 until a shop vet set me straight

Last month a mechanic at a co-op in Austin told me I was basically washing the grease out. Now I use a proper wet lube and my chain doesnt squeak after one ride. Anyone else make that switch way later than they should have?

3 comments

3 Comments

evan54310h ago

Yeah man, @ward.anna I rode a beat up hybrid for like two years thinking WD-40 was doing me favors. Heard that shop vet story and it hit way too close to home. One ride after switching to a proper wet lube and the chain actually stayed quiet. Felt like an idiot when I pulled the old chain off and saw it was just a crusty mess with no real grease left. Had to swap the cassette too because the shifting got all sloppy. Definitely learned my lesson the hard way.

lucasw8410h ago

Oh man, same here. My old drivetrain sounded like a coffee grinder for months before I finally figured out I'd been stripping all the lube out with that spray can.

ward.anna11h ago

Basically washing the grease out" describes my entire first year of maintenance perfectly. I thought I was being smart and now my old chain looks like it went through a desert. Did you also have to replace your whole drivetrain after realizing the truth?