blams2004

I am new to cycling and have been logging some pretty serious miles. I brought my bike into the shop after the first 300 miles to have it tuned up. I am looking for info on how to properly maintain my bike without having to bring it into the shop for this service. I would rather spend that money on other cycling related purchases. Thank you in advance for any help.

surgeonstone

WD-40 It is all you will ever need, clean, lube , polish. Does it all.

009jim

In 300 miles I would say you should have (a) lubed the chain several times and (b) replaced some brake pads (c) put a few drops of tri-flow lube on all pin joints in the derailers. There are online tutorials showing you how to do these things but it will take time and effort and you'll get grubby hands. Perhaps you're thinking "yuk" as you read this!! That might be the reason why you continue to take it to the LBS for a service. It's also the reason a lot of people blow all their money and never own a house. A bike is a good place to start learning to do things for yourself and save loads of cabbage. I feel sorry for you if, unlike myself, your Dad or Mom wasn't able to pass on these skills, or didn't bother. If by any chance you live near me, come around and I will help you get started - so long as you are prepared to get grubby hands.

AK404

Not sure if sarcastic or serious, but I wouldn't even joke about that.

https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

https://sheldonbrown.com/

10 Wheels

WD-40 now has a product for about any type of job.

https://www.wd40specialist.com/

AK404

Ah, I see Astroglide still has little to worry about.

bkdelux

i would never use wd-40 on my bike, ever.

surgeonstone

I have used it on my bike for 40 years. Good as new.

StanSeven

Their latest line of bicycling products is supposively very good. Their engineers said there's a lot of cycle lube competition and the goal is make something unique and better than other companies products

bkdelux

kudos, i know it's got solvent like properties, and is best for light lubrication type applications. I use Finish Line cleaner and tri-flow.

i'm not trying to slam you and furthermore, i've never used wd-40 on my bike so i can't even compare, but don't won't to rock my own boat.

surgeonstone

Don't worry, you can't slam me on this and if you could it would matter little. I use it because it works. Maybe there are better products, but it keeps my bike clean, lubed and rust free and has done so for decades. Cheap and only 1 can to use instead of 4-6 different products.

WorldIRC

Do you guys use the wet or dry stuff?

YOJiMBO20

You must go through a LOT of brake pads if you're replacing them after only 300 miles.

BLTN

1/2 Mobil 1, 1/2 ATF. I've used WD-40 for cleaning, not for lubrication though.

009jim

Yes, you are correct I believe. Part of the reason is that I live in a hilly city and my house is at the bottom of a quite a steep hill. Also my work is at the bottom of a steep hill. Now that I've realized I'm also wearing our my rims, I walk down that hill near home. I've recently converted to Koolstop pads so that could potentially be an improvement.

gregf83 

I think I get more than 10,000 miles from a set of pads.

edit: I also use WD-40 for cleaning my chain occasionally, particularly after a wet ride. I do add lube after though. WD-40 seems a little light for chain lube.

GP

I agree. I've been working in marine environments for 30+ years and spray lube is spray lube.

surgeonstone

I think WD-40 gets an unnecessairly bad rap in the biking community. Someone says never use it on a bike and suddenly it is gospel...."Thou shalt not use WD-40 on anything having to do with a bicycle" It does keep my bike very clean and very smooth and quiet. Don't get me wrong,I am not going to lube my bearings with it but for the superficial clean and demoisturizing after a rainy ride and general upkeep and cleaning it is great.

oujeep1

look on the bike medicine web site, quick easy effective clean lube usind their golden degreaser, extreme purple lube, car wash liquid water and 2 brushes. takes less than 10 min.

oujeep1

www.purpleextreme.com

poplid

WD-40 is cheap at least ha

hhnngg1

https://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/

surgeonstone

Garbage, garbage and more garbage. I have used it for 40 years, never a rusted chain , smooth quiet and they last as long as anyones. I use it because it works. If it did not I would stop.

AK404

The big reason, I think, is that WD-40's "lubricant" seems to be a slight amount of mineral oil, which isn't a very good lubricant at all. I learned the hard way to never use WD-40 on my locks - it leaves some sort of residue on the inside that eventually gunks up.

I would implore you to give WD-40's new line of bicycle products a go, though. I'm a Boeshield guy, but I'm going to give it a go, see how it works out.

gregf83 

How often do you use it? I've found the factory lube on chains to last the longest and it's quite thick and heavy compared to WD40.