When it comes to bike chains, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there. One of the most popular is coconut oil is a great lubricant for bike chains. But is this true?
Is coconut oil good for bike chain? NO! You end up spending hours cleaning your chain because it picks up more dirt on the drivetrain. You’re left with a bunch of parts that need replacing often.
I love using Finish Line at our shop! I can’t say enough good things about this lube. It’s great for almost anything that needs it, plus you get the bonus of how it smells FRESH AND CLEAN.
Grease is important for keeping your bike running smoothly. I use Phil Wood Waterproof Grease, which can be applied to all threads and helps ensure that your non-drivetrain parts stay oiled up!
Also Read: Can you use kerosene to clean brakes? Then This happens!!
Is it ok to use coconut hair oil on my motorcycle chain for emergencies?
Apart from wasting a lot of oil while applying, it would easily evaporate due to frictional heat. It probably won’t last for more than one ride.
Motorcycle chain lube is a thick, gooey substance that reduces friction. Coconut oil has much less viscosity than traditional motorcycle oils, so it would easily evaporate due to frictional heat.
Coconut oil has low viscosity and burns up quickly, so for a few kilometres, it will be fine, but you should apply grease as soon as possible.
The Dupont Chainsaver Teflon lube is the best chain oil I have ever used. It’s clear, doesn’t attract dirt like other oils, and has zero fling-off, so you can keep your bike clean without worrying about riding around with a greasy mess.
What kind of oil do you put on a bike chain?
Finish Line is a top producer of bike chain oils and offers wet or dry lubricants.
Finish Line’s non-toxic and biodegradable lubricants are perfect for your bike. The dry type can easily penetrate every nook to provide protection, while wet versions offer water resistance, so you don’t need to worry about riding through rain or snow.
What oils work as bike chain lubricant alternatives?
Chainsaw oil
Applying chainsaw oil on your bike will keep it lubed in the heaviest rainstorms, but you should avoid applying any other time for fear of damaging delicate parts.
The thick oil is a hassle to use, and it can easily build up dust. The accumulation of dirt in the machine causes problems when you need your chain cleaned or adjusted because there’s no way mechanics at bike shops to have time.
Silicone spray
Silicone sprays are perfect for bike lubrication but can also be used in many other areas. For instance, it is often applied as a sealant or lubricant on household items.
If you want a long-lasting product, this isn’t the one for your bike. However, it is also easy to apply, as it comes in a spray can.
Clipper oil
Clipper oil is the perfect solution for protecting your bike’s chain from corrosion. It washes away easily with no residue and can reach all areas of a bicycle drivetrain thanks to its versatility.
Vaseline
Vaseline is a great choice for reducing friction compared to light machine oils and sprays, as the texture of vaseline resembles that of many grease-based bike lubricants.
Unfortunately, this also makes it bad at collecting dust or debris; you will need more cleaning than if your chain was greased with something else!
3-in-1 oil
3-in1 oil is an affordable, multi-purpose liquid that can be used for all sorts of things, from protecting your bike chain.
Made with naphthenic base oils (commonly found in traditional bicycle lubricants), 3IN1 has the perfect balance between protection and servicing properties.
Things to Oil
- Chain
- Cables
- Cable housing
- U-lock
- Brake levers and assemblies
- Derailleur levers and assemblies
- Spoke nipples
- Kickstand
- Springs
- Drivetrain
Things to Grease
- Rack bolts
- Fender bolts
- Pedal threads
- Seat post
- Threads
- Bearings
- Quill stems
WHAT SHOULD I NOT OIL?
- Handlebars
- Bottom Brackets (grease, but don’t oil)
- Threadless Stems
- Anywhere near your braking surface
- Cassettes
- Disc Rotors
- Brake Pads
What can I use to lubricate my cycle chain?
To help prevent bike chains from rusting and clogging up, various oils are available with varying ingredients.
- Light oils
- Thick greases
- Wax-based lubricants
- Spray lubricants
Light oils
Light oils are often the easiest to apply. The consistency of these lubricants allows it to reach every area on your chain, making this type perfect for roller applications when you’re cranking up those pedals!
Light oil is a great way to keep your bike in top shape, but it’s not always enough when you pedal while riding through wet conditions, and there are periods when rain or snowfall could be expected.
Light oils don’t last as long because these fluids have a thinner consistency than heavier ones do-so they wash away more quickly on their own during normal use.
Thick greases
Lubricants that are thicker tend to last longer in wet or rainy conditions because they leave a greasy film on the chain’s bearings.
However, these same oils also collect debris which can make your chains dirty and make them slower at going through their lifespan due to wear-and-tear from constantly being exposed to this environment.
So you must clean out all excess gunk after every ride!
Wax-based lubricants
Compared with other options, wax-based chain lubes offer increased longevity and resistance to contaminants.
However, they are more difficult to apply, which may be a problem for off-road riders in wet or rainy environments where wax cannot stay on the chains without being washed away quickly by water droplets falling from overhead before you even have time let it dry properly after applying!
In dusty conditions, however, these properties make them ideal because dust will often get stuck inside any crevice between links.
The best way to ensure that you get the perfect wax job on your bike chain is by making sure it’s really clean. You can use rags or old t-shirts for this purpose; just make sure they are not too rough!
Spray lubricants
The best way to lube your bike chain is with a spray. However, most of these products don’t provide optimal protection against friction and will wear out quickly if you ride at high speeds or take long cruises through rough terrain where there are lots of bumps along the way.
WD-40 is a product that cyclists might try to use as a spray lubricant for their bike chains! It’s great when you need your hinges squeaky clean or an old door opening up with any fuss; however, it won’t do much in terms of helping keep things moving smoothly along downrange either.
Can I use baby oil on my bike chain?
No, This is because it picks up more dirt onto the drivetrain, making for a hassle to clean.
Lubricants come in different shapes and sizes, but they can be broken down into two general categories:
Internal fluids designed for a closed system like your bicycle’s drivetrain; external thickened oils intended to protect against environmental elements such as dirt or grime.
If you’re not sure which type would work best on what part of my bike – let alone if it’s safe enough.
Can I use olive oil on my bike chain?
Olive oil is a great way to keep your bike’s chain from drying out and rusting. However, this only works for the short term because, over time, olive oils will seep into cracks without regular maintenance, making it ineffective in preventing these damages on its own.
In addition, if you use too much, then all those excess nutrients can cause harm by attracting dirt particles that could lead to further corrosion than what was there originally!
Remember that olive oil is never an effective solution compared to a dedicated lubricant for your bicycle. So, if you want the best performance, use something like commercial bike lube instead!
Olive oil is a great temporary solution for your bicycle’s problem, but you should take it to be fixed by professionals. In addition, olive oil attracts dirt which could hinder its performance in the long run!
Is WD-40 OK for bike chains?
WD-40 is a water-based chain lube that provides just enough of the right consistency and amount to keep your bike’s engine running smoothly. It has been popular with bikers for many years, so you know it will do what needs to be done!
WD-40 is a brilliant choice for bike chains as it keeps your ride running smoothly and helps keep it free from rust and corrosion. The natural wetness of the product makes sure that there are no dirt stains which accumulate with time, reducing wear & tear.
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