gsa103

That monthly low usage duty cycle is exactly what doesn't work for WD40. It evaporates leaving not much behind, so you wind up needing to redo it frequently, even if the bike sat for 3 weeks.

For low usage bikes, a wax based lube works really well. Put some on and forget about it for months. High mileage bikes do better with something like Chain-L.

The best use case I've heard for WD-40, is winter riding where you apply every couple of days and the corrosion protection is more important than the lube aspects.

texaspandj

Don't remove manufacturers lube like you would if you were to use a wax on your chain.

brianmcg123

Its fine. Ive used it for years. No issues. It says "lubricant" right on the bottle.

AndreyT

WD40 is a brand, not a product. If you want to ask a meaningful question, you have to explain what specific product you are talking about. WD40 does make a dedicated chain lube though. It is as good as any.

Oneder

wd40 is both a brand and a specific product.

mennov

WD40 is awesome and should be applied if things are stuck and should be moving. Yes follow the engineering flowchart.
However it is not a real lubricant it is designed to drive away moisture and clean so things move again.

SJM205

ign1te

WD-40 or Water Displacement-40 can offer lubrication and assist in cleaning of grease etc. As the name implies it displaces water by dissolving water into one of the components it contains. I typically use WD-40 like products for things that tend to rust during storage.

noglider 

Are you saying it turns water into hydrogen or oxygen? I'm not a chemist, but that sounds like hokum.

fietsbob

Need Electricity to do that, the oxygen generated on the submarine was cracked sea water..

But it was a Nuclear Submarine so that power was abundant. the H2 was pumped back into the ocean..

cyccommute 

If WD40 contained something to dissolve water, it would work like this. But there is nothing in WD40's MSDS listing anything that is water soluble. The "water displacement" part is that it contains 25% mineral oil that acts as a barrier on a metal surface...that's a static metal surface, however. For a chain where there is movement of the metal surface and stirring of the oil and water due to that movement, the water is going to emulsify the oil and settle out on the metal surface with the water on the bottom of the mixture. This happens with other oil based lubricants as well.

Oneder

https://www.wd40.com/cool-stuff/myths-legends-fun-facts

Myth: WD-40® Multi-Use Product is not really a lubricant.

Fact: While the “W-D” in WD-40® stands for Water Displacement, WD-40® Multi-Use Product is a unique, special blend of lubricants. The product’s formulation also contains anti-corrosion agents and ingredients for penetration, water displacement and soil removal.

FlMTNdude

Retro Grouch 

Why even ask?

If you ask 10 experienced riders to recommend a chain care practice you might get 12 different answers. Part of the problem is that a bicycle chain, given even the most casual amount of care, lasts too long for most of us to make meaningful comparisons. Bottom line, if you're happy with what you've been doing, why change? A chain maintenance program that could reduce both wear and power losses to zero is not going to significantly affect your riding experience. Once you get up to about 15 MPH MOST of your energy goes to overcoming air resistance. If you want to go faster, work on your aerodynamic position on the bike.

rumrunn6

thanks. now that it is summer(ish) might look into that

cyccommute 

While it is true that their formulation is proprietary, a great deal of information can be gleaned from their MSDS. For example, that's where you can find that the mixture is about 25% mineral oil (Petroleum Base Oil <25). You can even get an idea of what the material is from the CAS# listed in the MSDS. That's a number issued for each chemical. Yes, there's a proprietary surfactant in the mix but it's only there is small quantities and I doubt it would have much effect on the properties of the mixture to make it less hydrophobic.

cyccommute 

I tried it and it wasn't all that "dry". And the smell brought back a number of bad memories

rumrunn6

Mickey2

I find most of the spray can oils very similar, thin, fast working and dries up quickly. I have used them with out problems, including WD-40. With one good spray and wiping off with a rag most of the grime comes off. The only drawback is I have to do it before or after every ride for it to last. Especially in harsh condtions like salty roads and lots of rain I have had spots of rust appearing with just one day of missing an application. That's the worst of case, and it came off rather quickly. I like Finish Line Ceramic wet lube a lot, probably my favorite in a bottle. I don't mind the basic Weldtite products I find in stores here either. The only way I can keep a reasonably clean chain is to spray and wipe off after every ride. That's the main advantage I have found with a thin spray can oil like WD-40, they make it very easy. Weldtite has a similar product called TF2 Teflon spray, it is a notch smoother, and I usually have a can of it; there's GT-85, CRC 5-56,... Personally I don't mind either of them, just remember to apply frequently.