Oiling pivot points?

[Melalvai]

on chains, clean with WD-40.

I'm surprised to see this because I've always been told that WD-40 is the wrong type of oil for bicycle chains, and that it will ruin the chain. There is a lot of conflicting advice out there. I do what my bike mechanic says because I'm not interested in becoming an expert on chain oil!

[Catrin]

I'm surprised to see this because I've always been told that WD-40 is the wrong type of oil for bicycle chains, and that it will ruin the chain. There is a lot of conflicting advice out there. I do what my bike mechanic says because I'm not interested in becoming an expert on chain oil!

I've been told that WD-40 is a good CLEANER - but to make sure it has plenty of time to evaporate before lubing the chain. Personally prefer to use Simple Green.

I am looking for a picture of the jockey wheel axle. I am pretty sure I know what it is, but would like to find a picture just to be sure. Regardless I will lubricate all of the moving parts that I can find

[OakLeaf]

Here are all the places I lube my RD - that is, all the places that are visible in this picture. There are also four pivots on the rear of the body, and of course the other side of the lower jockey wheel and both sides of the upper jockey wheel. ONE DROP ONLY on each point, work the part to get the oil inside, then wipe off the outside.



Even if the bearings are sealed (or ceramic bushings, as I have on my upper jockey wheel), a drop of oil will help maintain the seals. I wouldn't grease them unless I disassembled them and could make sure the grease stayed on the inside of the seal, because outside, grease only collects grit.

It's true, the lubricants you use do depend on where and in what weather you're riding. My lubricant needs are different in Florida (salt air and fine sand) than they are in Ohio (farm dust), and someone who often rides in wet weather will have different needs from a rain weenie like myself.

Pedro's makes two non-toxic lubes. The lighter weight one is called Go! That's the one I use, and I really like it a lot. It lubricates well, goes on very light, and doesn't collect excess grit. The heavier one, for wet weather riding or mountain biking, is called Chainj.

WD-40 is useful for cleaning tar off vehicles, and old built-up chain lube off the motorcycle. It's also useful as a penetrating lubricant for stuck fasteners, which is what it's actually intended for. I don't use the stuff otherwise, and I make sure to wash it completely off any painted parts as well as any parts that need lubrication.

WD not only evaporates within a week or two - leaving parts unlubricated - but while it's there, it collects lots of grit. Exactly what you don't want on moving parts.


Also, as I said, I'm a weather weenie and much of my riding is done in a low-grit environment, so my chain doesn't get cleaned that often. If I were doing it every 100-150 miles, I wouldn't re-lube the derailleurs every time, just make sure to wipe and brush off any grit.

[Catrin]

Thanks for the graphic - pictures help and I couldn't seem to find any that really showed what I needed to see.

[EasilyLead]

I'm surprised to see this because I've always been told that WD-40 is the wrong type of oil for bicycle chains, and that it will ruin the chain. There is a lot of conflicting advice out there. I do what my bike mechanic says because I'm not interested in becoming an expert on chain oil!

i kinda thought that the mention of WD-40 would be confusing. a lot of people use it as oil. its meant as a degreaser.


many jockey wheels don't have bearings. just a little washer that has curved edges and those ride in the groves of the jockey wheel. its good to grease the inside when doing occasional maintenance and oil the outside when cleaning the chain.

i mentioned chain because it is intimately involved. sorry sometimes i am too full of info.

[Melalvai]

Oh, thanks for the clarification. That makes more sense.

[OakLeaf]

That "washer" - together with the rubber parts - is actually the dust seal. It's present in the jockey wheels on my bikes whether they have bearings or ceramic bushings inside. Essentially, it's a simple labyrinth seal, so a drop of oil now and then will help maintain the seal.