Originally Posted by
Icecyclist.com
Thank you for the tip. The upside of WD40 is that it is less expensive than Triflow. The downside is that its lowest operating temperature is -10 degrees Fahrenheit. About a dozen times a year I complete 30 mile rides in temperatures between 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. So, WD40 with a synthetic oil additive will not work for me.
In temperatures above freezing I use Maxima Chainwax as it keeps my chain nice and lubed for my longer 150 mile road rides. I hate having a squeaky chain after mile 100 with other bicycle lubes.
I have ridden at -52F with homebrewed lube and had no issues... the solvent / carrier evaporates and it is the synthetic oil that provides the lubrication at these cold temperatures. I also run this in my internal 3 speed hubs to keep them running at extremes and they spin just as well at -40 C/F as they do on warm summer days.
In nice weather I might refresh the chain lube every 300-500km depending on the conditions.