A bike chain is constantly moving, and the friction in every link heats and wears the metal. Without lubrication pedalling gets harder, the chain squeaks, gear changes lag and the cassette and chainrings wear out early. Replacing a whole drivetrain costs far more than a can of chain lube.
Ukrainian conditions are tough on a chain: dust on gravel roads, puddles and mud in spring and autumn, salt on the roads in winter. So it needs regular lubrication with a product that suits the weather. The job takes 10-15 minutes.
What you will need
Important: Keep lube away from brake discs, pads and rims. Cover the disc with a rag before you start and wipe off any overspray straight away.
Step 1
Prepare the bike
Work outdoors or on a protective sheet. Put the bike on a stand so the rear wheel spins freely and shift the chain onto a middle sprocket of the cassette. Put on gloves.
Step 2
Clean off the old lube
Fresh lube on a dirty chain simply mixes with grit and becomes an abrasive. Apply WD-40 Specialist Bike Degreaser to the chain while backpedalling, leave it to work for a few minutes and go over it with a brush. Rinse with water and wipe the chain dry with a rag.
Step 3
Choose a lube for your conditions
For dry, dusty riding choose dry chain lube, which picks up less dirt. For rain, puddles and mud, wet chain lube is harder to wash off. If conditions change or you ride all year round, all-conditions chain lube is the one to use.
Step 4
Apply the lube
Place a rag under the chain to catch drips. Shake the can and spray onto the inside of the chain while slowly turning the rear wheel anticlockwise, that is, backpedalling. This gets the lube into the rollers and between the plates. One or two full turns of the chain are enough.
Step 5
Let it soak in and wipe off the excess
Wait about 5 minutes for the solvent to evaporate and the lube to penetrate the links. Then wipe the excess off the outside of the chain with a clean rag. Inside the links the lube does its job; on the outside it only attracts dust.
Tip: Checking whether it is time to lube is easy: run a finger along the chain. If it feels dry and squeaks, or your finger comes away black with grime, clean and lube the chain again. Do not put fresh lube over a dirty chain.
What next
Lube the chain every 150-300 km, after every ride in the rain or on salted roads, and before the season starts. When you have time for a full service, treat the derailleurs, cables and seatpost too, as described in our bike care guide.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».