WD40 3 in One Professional Bike Maintenance Spray is supposedly cycling-specific, but it does a whole lot besides and very well too.
Frankly, aside from the handy size 250ml aerosol, performance wise there's a fag paper separating it and the wealth of chemically similar products arriving at the Road.cc offices these past few weeks. No excuses for sticky shifts, scabby fasteners and squeaky cleats in my fleet then.
Here we have another petroleum based solvent brew with our old friend PTFE thrown in to lower friction and retard corrosion. Solvents enable mixtures to be applied in a sprayable format, speeding them to the affected areas, removing grease, oil, tar and dirt, leaving white waxy lubricant clinging behind.
Despite WD40's suggestions to the contrary, I found it very much a light dressing, meaning it's not suitable as a chain lube.
Control cables, pivots, freewheel mechanisms and contact points that have become sticky (as opposed to royally stuck) are the obvious candidates. A liberal squirt and leave to marinate approach works best.
Light mists applied over paintwork/electroplate and buffed with fresh rag impart a relatively clean barrier, mimicking the traditional practice of 'greasing up' amongst motorcyclists during the winter months. This can be left to cultivate a grimy, protective layer but it's worth remembering maintenance sprays will also dissolve pre-existing car-type polymer waxes.
Those shuddering at the thought of gloop sloshing inside ferrous tubes will be pleased to hear ours worked very well as a frame flush, driving moisture and other nasties out following prolonged, wet rides.
What kind of performance you get out of it will vary depending on season, riding style and conditions but the fleet's cables remain super slick after one squirt, two weeks and 250 miles, while a set of nickel-plated cleats have been outside in coastal air seven days running with no hint of freckling.
Verdict
Good lightweight spray lube but not thick enough for chains
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road.cc test report
Make and model: WD40 3 in One Professional - Bike Maintenance Spray
Size tested: n/a
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
"Provides a durable protective layer that delivers high performance lubrication to meet demanding conditions. Reduces wear on metal parts and longer lasting protection against rust and the elements".· Can be used for:
· Chains
· Brake and Derailleur Cables
· Brake and Gear Shifter Levers
· Pulley Wheels
· Front and Rear Derailleur Assemblies
· Pedal Crankarm
· Plus many more uses"
Broadly agree - fine as a chain prep but not a lube in the everyday sense.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Solvent based carrier that evaporates to leave a white waxy PTFE film beind.
On par with this genre.
250ml aerosol is very convenient.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
There's no doubt this is another competent do-all light lube for generic bike and workshop duties. Cleans, protects and lubricates cables, locking mechanisms and a host of other stuff besides. However,its not stiff enough for chains, cleat mechanisms and similar drivetrain parts.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Versatile,good value, stays where it's put.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing but then there's little differentiating it from a wealth of similar sprays.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? By and large, yes.
About the tester
Age: 38 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)
2 comments
Quick question would this work as a base layer (more penetrative) to heaver wax/ptfe dry lube on a chain. Or would its petroleum solvent render this unworkable?
You could use it that way, but I would advise you to allow it to fully dry before applying "proper" dry lube.
It (or in my case GT85) gets used to blast out crud the night before an intermediate lubing and is also used to disperse any water left after a full chain strip (in a certain petroleum based solvent)and rinse.
Have a look around the forums of t'internet and you'll find a million ways of using this stuff and how best to clean and lube a chain. Many methods work, and its ultimately a matter of personal preference that dictates whats "best" for you.