However clean the bike is, a chain without dedicated care will still hold moisture. Water lingers between the links and rollers, the metal soon gets an orange film of rust, and the chain starts to squeak, shifts worse and wears the sprockets. Left alone, it will have to be replaced together with the cassette, which is an unnecessary expense.
The key moment is right after washing and riding in the rain, especially between seasons when the air is constantly damp.
What you will need
Important: Do not wash the chain and hubs with a pressure washer. Keep products away from brake rotors, pads and rim braking surfaces.
Step 1
Wash the bike
Dirt holds moisture and speeds up corrosion, so start by washing the whole bike. Wet it, apply a mild cleaning agent to the frame, wheels and drivetrain, leave it a few minutes and go over the dirtiest areas with a sponge.
Step 2
Rinse and dry the bike
Rinse off the cleaning agent thoroughly with clean water. Then be sure to dry the bike with a dry cloth: water left in joints and on bolts quickly turns into rust.
Step 3
Drive the water out of the chain
Put the bike on a stand or turn it upside down. Apply WD-40 Multi-Use generously to the chain while back-pedalling so it reaches every link. It penetrates between the rollers and plates and displaces water. Leave it a few minutes and remove stubborn dust with an old toothbrush.
Step 4
Wipe the chain thoroughly
Hold a dry cloth around the lower run of the chain and turn the pedals several times until the cloth stops picking up dirt. This step really matters: no water or dirt should remain on the chain before lubricating.
Step 5
Lubricate for the weather
On cold, damp days use WD-40 Bike Wet Chain Lube, which resists wash-off. In warm, dry weather choose WD-40 Bike Dry Chain Lube, which attracts less dust. Apply it to the inside of the chain while slowly turning the pedals, give it a few minutes to penetrate and wipe off the excess.
Tip: After riding on salted winter roads, do not wait until the weekend: even a simple rinse and a treatment with
WD-40 Multi-Use the same day saves the chain from rust.
What next
Repeat the routine after every wash and every ride in the rain, and in dry weather roughly every few hundred kilometres. Cables, locks and derailleur pivots are easy to treat with a WD-40 Smart Straw.
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».