Heard a customer at the Denver shop say he never cleans his chain because 'the dirt holds the lube in'

I was building up a wheel and overheard this guy talking to another mechanic. He was totally serious about not cleaning his drivetrain. It made me realize how many weird myths are out there. I explained that grit just grinds down the metal, and he seemed surprised. What's the strangest bike care belief you've had to correct?

3 comments

3 Comments

hall.charles2mo ago

That's a new one, lol. Read a forum post once where a guy swore by using vegetable oil as chain lube because it was "all natural." Had to explain that it turns into a sticky mess that attracts every bit of grit on the road. The idea that adding more dirt is helpful is next level, though. It just makes a grinding paste that wears everything out way faster. Some of these myths get passed around like real advice and it's wild.

sandra6932mo ago

It's the same mindset that makes people think you can just top off old coolant forever without a flush.

lily_gibson1328d ago

Did you hear about the guy who swears by using WD-40 as a dedicated chain lube? I read on another forum that some people think it's the same as actual bike lube because it's wet. Someone had to explain that WD-40 is a degreaser first, then evaporates away, leaving basically nothing to protect the chain. Meanwhile the vegetable oil thing is just insane, I've heard it turns into basically glue after a couple rides. It's wild how much bad advice gets passed around like gospel.