Author Topic: Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?  (Read 3134 times)

Trudie

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Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?
« on: October 05, 2015, 10:47:34 AM »
My bike is squeaky.  It's not in the seat, nor the brakes, but clearly in the chain.  I was going to get out WD-40 and give it a whirl.  Any advice?

I typically take my bike to the shop for a good tune up every once in awhile, but it seems to be overkill in this case.  I am a recreational rider, typically doing about 40 miles/week of paved trail riding about 3 months out of the year.  But I live in the hills so shift gears quite a bit.

Thanks.

nereo

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Re: Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2015, 11:16:13 AM »
have you lubed the chain with actual chain lube?  WD-40 is too thin to work as a lubricant for your chain.  A small bottle of chain lube is ~$5 and will last a loooooong time.

I would clean the chain (use a toothbrush and some degreaser like Simple Green), wipe off and then add lube, going through the gears.  Wipe off all excess.  See if that solves the problem.

GuitarStv

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Re: Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2015, 11:19:55 AM »
Don't use WD40!  It's not a lubricant, it's designed to flush water away and act as a degreaser.  WD40 will strip lubricant away from your bike.  Get a proper chain lube from your local bike shop for a few bucks and apply it every couple hundred km.

klystomane

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Re: Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2015, 10:08:18 AM »
Go on Youtube and look for recommended bike degreaser and lube brands.

Syonyk

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Re: Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2015, 10:12:48 AM »
WD-40 is NOT A LUBRICANT.  *grumbles*  Water replacement?  Yes.  Pretty good solvent?  Yes.  Lubricant?  No.

And, yes, the answer is a small bottle of chain lube.  I've got two bottles from... oh, probably a decade or so ago.  They're still going strong.

Oil the chain, ride for a while to disperse it into everywhere, wipe the rest off (or don't, if you're lazy).

TechMike

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Re: Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2015, 09:29:32 PM »
Walk into bike shop, purchase the cheapest chain lube they have. Youtube how to apply chain lube. Apply. Done.

alsoknownasDean

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Re: Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2015, 08:06:00 AM »
Yeah, bicycle chain lube would be the way to go. You should be able to get it for under ten bucks. I like to use an old tshirt to clean the chain while I'm doing it too, often a fair bit of black gunk comes off the chain.

If the chain's a few years old and getting rusty, even consider putting a new chain on.

auxym

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Re: Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2015, 10:09:05 AM »
WD40 actually works decently as a chain cleaner. So does dish soap and dollar store nylon brush. Just make sure to lube with something good afterwards (I like triflow these days, more multipurpose).


Syonyk

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Re: Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2015, 10:25:15 AM »
Chain cleaner?  Yeah.  Chain lubricant?  No.  And, unless otherwise specified, when someone says "I'm going to WD-40 that thing!" - they're talking about lubricant, not cleaning. :(

Now, high quality duct tape, on the other hand, does actually work as is commonly used. :)

Trudie

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Re: Squeaky bike: Advice to fix?
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2015, 10:11:46 AM »
Thanks everyone.  WD-40 concerns clearly noted.  Will be buying lube for the chain... soon.

 

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