I can't afford bike lube. Got a free kona mountain bike. Of vaseline, coconut oil, veg. oil, and wd 40(contd)

Question

...which would be best to lube the chain and/or wheel bearings with?

(Only the chain and/or wheel bearings, NOT the cables.)

I can't afford lube, and yes I know it's very cheap (a few bucks). I also can't afford to take it to shop to get lubed.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Give me your address.  I will send you a bottle of "Pro Link" chain lube for your bike at no cost to you.  If you can't afford a 3 dollar bottle of chain lube I will donate a bottle to a fellow biker in need.  

Kimber

Answer 2

I WORK IN A BIKE SHOP AND WD40 RUINS BIKES NOT UBES THEM! DONT USE WD40!

Answer 3

Why not ask a friend or neighbor to use a 2 cents worth of medium weight grease for your bearings. And motor oil will work on the chain. Many people have a tub of grease and motor oil around.

While you can use almost anything on the chain for a short while (you can always clean it off and apply a better suited oil later) Don't use the c**p you have on the bearings. Leave them as is (unless there is something wrong with them now) until you can rustle up $3.

Kimber - you're a true humanitarian! THUMBS UP!

Provide your address and I'll send you a tube of grease for your bearing - you'll be all set.

Answer 4

Motor oil.  Even used motor oil is better than anything you have listed.  If you don't have any oil to use, then the WD40 is probably your best bet....except that it's awful.  Be careful when you apply it....don't get it on the rims.   Wipe the chain clean after you apply it, and be prepared to apply it frequently.  

If you use motor oil, apply a tiny drop to each roller on the chain, rotate the pedals for awhile, and wipe the chain clean.  Reapply as needed.

Don't use any of those lubes on any other part of your bike....especially the wheel bearings!  If you ever need to lube the derailleur pivots or cables, you can do the same thing (motor oil vs. WD40, etc).

Really, though....find a way to pick up some actual bike chain lube.   :o)

Answer 5

Hi!  That's quite intriguing--only those 4 choices?

But any lube is better than no lube at all.  Use WD40 for your chain, and Vaseline (it is petroleum jelly, isn't it?) for the bearings.  You'll have to clean and reapply more frequently, though, and expect a shorter life for the lubed part.

Answer 6

I'm not familiar with coconut oil, but I know Vaseline is a solid oil and will probably be best on the bearings, while vegetable oil and wd40 are liquids.  I use wd-40 on my chain when I am out of money and dry lube.  It works fine, but just gets black and dirty pretty quick, and has to be cleaned and re lubed more frequently than a dry lube.  Yeah when I am doing bb, headset, or wheel bearings i usually buy a synjection grease at the bike shop or on ebay.  I hate to advise Vaseline because I've never used it myself, but it looks about like a lot of the bought grease.