Can you put too much lube on your cassette, mechs, chain etc

Underpants

Because before this wknds ride I scrubbed the whole groupset with hot soapy water and then sprayed copius amounts of WD40 on.

Shortly after setting off on my ride I found that in certain gears I could feel a nasty grinding sensation through the pedals almost like a grinding paste was coated on the cogs/chain/bottom bracket. I think this may have been because the dirt/sand was sticking to the WD40.

Sound plausible?

Anonymous

WD40 is not a lubricant. It's a Water Dispellant - hence WD 40

What you've just done, is degrease everything, then coat it in a sticky non-lubricant, which attracts dust and dirt, and turns into a grinding paste.

Well done.

ride_whenever

what riding conditions, WD40 only really works in very very dry conditions.

WD40 isn't really a lube, it's a water displacer so you shouldn't really use it as a lube. Using too much will flush out the grease from your chain and whatever else it hits, and flush in any dirt still on the chain.

Try a proper lube, for the grinding check your pedals and bb and jockey wheels first before attacking the chain again.

.blitz

Underpants wrote:

I scrubbed the whole groupset with hot soapy water and then sprayed copius amounts of WD40 on ...I could feel a nasty grinding sensation through the pedals

No sh*t

Lots of people more cleverer than wot I am have shown that a completely dry drivetrain is more than 98% efficient. The lube is only there to stop the chain getting dirty and reducing this efficiency, so you should really be aiming for a sterile drivetrain with just a little bit of lube. Try www.in2dust.co.uk. It doesn't like rain but otherwise it works very well.

joec1

I use a Bit of TF2.

works fine with me. and if its too lubed it just runs off or flicks of as the wheel spins lol.

Underpants

yeehaamcgee wrote:

WD40 is not a lubricant. It's a Water Dispellant - hence WD 40

What you've just done, is degrease everything, then coat it in a sticky non-lubricant, which attracts dust and dirt, and turns into a grinding paste.

Well done.

Oh, what a t*t :oops:

Glad I posted this now...you learn by your mistakes I suppose.

RichMTB

TF2 isn't really a chain lube either.

Use Finish Line dry style lube or simlar (wet style lubes are great but need constanly degreasing)

Clean the drive train with a good quality degreaser (soapy water is fine but will take more effort) thoroughly rinse off the cleaner, wipe the chain dry. Apply a drop of lube to the top of each roller on the chain (not the sides of the chain or the cassette) once you done this back pedal and wipe of any excess. The idea is to have just enough lube on the chain

Underpants

ride_whenever wrote:

for the grinding check your pedals and bb and jockey wheels first before attacking the chain again.

How do you do this btw? apart from pedals I dont know what the other bits are...

mac_man

Underpants wrote:

ride_whenever wrote:

for the grinding check your pedals and bb and jockey wheels first before attacking the chain again.

How do you do this btw? apart from pedals I dont know what the other bits are...

BB = bottom bracket. where the pedal cranks go into.

Jockey wheels = the little wheels in the rear derailleur

Chris

EDIT.... I also used to add WD40 to my chain... before I found this place :oops:

Underpants

mac man wrote:

Underpants wrote:

ride_whenever wrote:

for the grinding check your pedals and bb and jockey wheels first before attacking the chain again.

How do you do this btw? apart from pedals I dont know what the other bits are...

BB = bottom bracket. where the pedal cranks go into.

Jockey wheels = the little wheels in the rear derailleur

Chris

EDIT.... I also used to add WD40 to my chain... before I found this place :oops:

Thanks very much mate.

Off to clean it now... :oops:

supersonic

The key is to use any lube sparingly and get it in the right place.

See Sheldon Browns website for views.

KonaKurt

This topic raises an important issue I think. That so many people seem to mistake WD40 and simular sprays as 'lubricants' when in fact they are quite the opposite. This is not helped by the fact that on the back of each can, it is likely to mislead by stating 'protects, penetrates, and lubricates just about anything'.

Anything, that is not exposed to the grim and grit of the outside world maybe... but not bike transmissions.

I too don't mind confessing to making the same mistake many moons ago when I was a mere nipper...

KK.

Daz555

.blitz wrote:

Lots of people more cleverer than wot I am have shown that a completely dry drivetrain is more than 98% efficient. The lube is only there to stop the chain getting dirty and reducing this efficiency.

Metal against metal? Surely lube is there to form a thin layer between similar materials - materials which have a tendency to destroy each other without it. Lube also prevents corrosion - another issue with metal drive trains.

As for the WD40. Yep its handy to get things moving, but should not be used to keep things moving.

joec1

Right... so ignoring TF" being labeled as a Light Lube....

what are people suggestion for the Chain etc?

mac_man

IS WD40 ok for degreasing the chain and mechs?

Only had my bike for a few weeks and there's a film of greasy gunk starting to build up.

Is it ok to use WD40 to shift this gunk or will soap and water be better?

I only ask as I have a HUGE can of WD40 lurking in the garage somewhere.

ride_whenever

Its a case of using what works, a chain that is dry and clean on the outside works really well in the dry conditions that i'm experiencing at the moment. Doesn't pick up anything and stays pretty clean.


I would use some WD40 on a rag to clean the chain, don't spray it onto the bike, spray it onto the rag and wipe the gunk off....

ratty2k

Just wash with soapy water/ Fewicks. As for chain lubes, the one I use I have found to be excellent after trying various others...
White Lightning wet ride. Its a purple lube and for extreme conditions (well thats what it says on the label!) and it is a lot better than the rest IMO.

Slamdunkin

Is the GT85 sold in halfords a good lube?

supersonic

It has light lubing properties. Not as good as a chain oil.

Slamdunkin

So am I better off using my 3in1 spray on which contains PTFE?

supersonic

No spray ons. Drip oil.

stevebrock

i spray gt85 on my rear cassette and mechs - for the chain i use finish line dry/wet!

lesz42

have used fenwicks dry, makes chain/gears dirty and gritty, best dry oil i have used is white lighting "EPIC RIDE"


clean, works well, issue if its raining, just wipe down after ride in the rain and reaply asap, tis fine

might try white lighting wet for the winter

i do use a bit of GT85 on the cassette and front mech/ rear mech, spray/wipe just a little tho

and spray on a clean rag, i wipe (after being cleaned) the uppers on my forks, just a little bit