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| *Vultures Knob>>>Schwinn Bike |
What kind of lubricant is recommended for a bicycle chain? |
Is WD40 okay or do I need a specialty lubricant for my bicycle chain? I have a hybrid Schwinn if that makes a difference. In looking through the answers others gave, I noticed a few things of note. I agree that WD-40 is not a good choice. Here's a list of things I've used over the years that seem to have worked (I don't have to change chains very often, and mine never squeak) 1) Automatic transmission fluid. Works very well for road bikes where dust and dirt are not much of a factor. Also, you can use the ATF fluid as a cleaner/lube all in one. However, it does collect dirt and road grime and makes wonderful chain stripes on your legs and could make a mess of anything it brushes against. Road bike chain only -- not good for mountain bikes. 2) Dipping wax. You break your chain, clean it with simple green or orange blast cleaner, dry it, then dip it in melted wax made for bike chains. Works great road bike chain or mountain bike chain. Downside -- you have to break your chain and then re-install a new pin when you are done. 3) Pedro's Ice Wax. I've been using it exclusively for about two years. It does seem to act as a self-cleaning agent as they claim. Works great in dry, dusty conditions. The dirty lube does not rub off the chain much onto legs and clothing. You do have to do a bit more cleaning to get the hardened, dirty lube off bogey wheels. I use it about every other ride. Because it does not make an oily mess on chain, you can be very liberal with it. Use it as directed on bottle. 4) Teflon based spray lubes (or as liquid in squeeze bottles) work well if you don't mind having a fairly liquid black mess on your chain. They do attract more dust and road grit. But -- better to lube than to not lube. 5) Whatever lube you use (remember, don't use WD-40) clean your chain often and lube often. Just think how much strain a chain takes. Chains need all the help they can get. Source(s): Personal experience for 41 years. Don't use WD40. It's great for loosening up rusty parts or for pushing out water, but it's too volatile to use as a bicycle lubricant. Get a dry lubricant with teflon (PTFE) from your bike shop. We had antique Schwinns as kids, and we always used WD40 on our bikes. They lasted for years. Actually, some kids somewhere may still be peddling on them. If you ride more than 4 miles a day, or have a very expensive bike, you probably better check out what your pro shop has to say. But if you have a regular ol' bike that you use for just a few miles a day during good weather, WD40 should be fine. Get a bottle of TriFlow Lubricant. Works in 99 percent of the places you need it and is reccomended for chain lubes. http://www.triflowlubricants.com/index.h... you can use grease of course!grease is sooooooo smooooooth! the only problem is that that if you apply so much of grease your chain will slip and fall.....medium greasing is better.if you have gears..coconut oil is best.i say this because i work in T.i cycles of inidia.india's no. 1 cycles |
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