How to lube a bicycle chain without stand [3 simplest ways]

I always felt envious when I would watch the YouTube videos of the guys telling me how to do very simple (and some complex fixes) on my bikes. The first stumbling block is having the right tools. Then after you go through the motions of finding the right tool, the person then all of a sudden tells you to put your bike on the stand. But, you (nor I at that point) had a stand. There are great space saving options available for those that live in smaller quarters, though if you still are choosing to opt for no stand for the time being, then more power to you. Is it possible to know how to lube a bicycle chain without stand? Absolutely, and these are the two ways that I do it.

In this post, we will go over the two ways to lube a bicycle chain without a stand.

Along with that, we will discuss the differences between (1) WD-40 as a solvent (and what that means), versus (2) bicycle chain lube, versus (3) bicycle grease.

Finally we will go over bicycle chain maintenance outside of simply lubing the chain and other reasons why chain maintenance is important.

Is it OK to use WD-40 on bike chain?

No, it is not OK to use WD-40 on bike chain. If you are using WD-40 to clean the bike chain, then that is good and practical. WD-40 is a solvent, which means that by spraying it, the reason why it feels so smooth immediately afterwards is because the WD-40 removed much of the grime and debris away from the moving parts. However, also because it is a solvent, it will dry out several miles into your next ride. To lube the bike chain, you need to use a bike chain lube after spraying WD-40 to clean the chain. Proper bike chain lube or bike oil will create a protective seal to keep the chain and its components properly sealed away from dirt, moisture and other debris while also making it more slick and smooth for the components to function correctly.

Note: This is the correct bike chain lube to use. (Yes, it is WD-40 brand, but this is WD-40’s brand of bike chain lube.) Do not use bike grease. This is for ball bearing greasing and other repairs. It is far too thick for chains and will attract more particles into the chain.

What can I use at home to lube my bike chain?

If you are in an extreme pinch then you are able to use any natural oil such as olive or avocado oil. Keep in mind that these oils do collect and attract dirt over time, and they tend to be at a higher price point on average than typical bike chain oil, so it may be more advantageous to go in that direction in the long run. Though if you need it at the moment, it is not a problem and will not affect the bicycle chain negatively.

How to lube a bicycle chain without stand

There are two ways to lube a bicycle chain without stand. Keep in mind to always towel the ground because the grease, grime and debris will drip onto your floor. If you get any grime onto your beautiful carpet, rubbing alcohol, vinegar or Dawn will do your flooring justice and get the grease stain out. I personally a fan of going generic when possible, I have noticed that Dawn actually is tougher on grease, as they say in the commercials.

• Roll and Spray: Keeping it simple tends to be the best option. Simply spraying the chain from the top side and rolling the bicycle forward will always work. If your concern is if there will be an even coating, the coating will become even after you ride it and the lube flushes with all of the components in the bicycle.
• Bicycle Upside down: If you really enjoy the feeling of spraying the bicycle chain while spinning, flipping the bicycle upside down is a very true method. If you have drop bars make sure that the highest (now lowest when the bike is upside down) and the bike saddle are protected with a padded towel to protect from wear and tear.
• Pick back wheel up: If you have a partner, have your partner pick up the bicycle wheel so that you can turn the pedals and spray the bike chain with your bike lube.

How often to lube a bicycle chain?

If you are interested in competitive cycling and ride 15, 40, 50+ miles on long rides, you should consider lubing your bicycle chain before each ride. If you are a casual rider, then consider lubing your bicycle chain once a month. Lubing and cleaning your bicycle chain is one of the most important aspects to prolonging the life of your bicycle. Think of it like an oil change for a car.

How do you clean a bike chain without a bike stand?

You should use one of the following ingredients that can be found in your home:

• Vinegar
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Water and Dawn (for deep cleans)

Once a year if the chain is not worn out and in need of replacement, I will find the master link, and take the entire chain off and do a thorough cleaning. I dip it in a bowl of water, rubbing alcohol and Dawn Dish Soap to get absolutely every piece of dirt off of the chain.

Once every 2 months I take a table cloth and rubbing alcohol and rub the chain along the chain. When I do it without a bike stand, I hold either brake down and rub the chain down. Then I roll the bike forward and rub the other parts of the chain that is missed.

If it rains, it is best to clean and lube the bike chain immediately after the ride, no matter how often.

Why do you clean a bike chain?

You clean the bike chain for 2 reasons.

• It extends the life of the chain
• Keeps corrosion, debris off of the bike chain

By cleaning the bike chain, you are extending the life because all of the grime and dirt can fairly quickly eat away at the chain, cause rust and also cause your derailer and drivetrain to get mucky and malfunction.

Conclusion

How to lube a bicycle without stand? There are 3 ways to do this. You can either flip the bicycle upside down. You can spray the chain and then roll it forward. You can also have a partner lift the bicycle wheel while turning the crank arm. These three ways to lube the bicycle chain and maintain the chain by cleaning will greatly externd the life of your bike chain and bike in general.