Chain cleaner, degreaser and lube advice please

[Sniffer77]

Hi all
Had my bike few weeks now so I'm looking for any advice as to what to buy to clean and re lube chain etc.
Not looking to spend a lot so what can you guys recommend?
I've seen chain cleaners on eBay but not sure if they would be decent or not for a few quid.
I live by the sea and cycle a lot on coastal routes, so not sure if dry or normal lube would be best.
Thanks

 

[raleighnut]

Avoid dry lube in salty environments (no protection against corrosion) other than that use the Mickle method regularly with whatever oil you fancy. I use chainsaw chain oil but others will recommend different but clean re-lube often, every 3 rides at least.

 

[Profpointy]

I had one of them chain cleaners - a top grade Park Tools one.
I used it once, so sold it, as lightly used - but neglegted to mention why.
It does sort of work, but is messy, faff, and pointless

Mickle method works for me - which is basically wipe it with an oily rag and re-oil it.
And repeat till it's at least somewhat clean and well oiled.
No solvents, no degreasers - which remove the lubricant and wash grit it, and dilute any oil you then put back on.

Which oil? Dunno, but what matters is some oil rather than no oil

 

[Sniffer77]

Thanks for the replies, so do I hose the chain and rings down first? And the frame when I want to clean it or do I just wipe with damp cloth?
Never heard of that method, but seems pretty easy . I presume I clean the cogs with a brush or toothbrush?
Sorry for more questions as I've never had a bike since I was a child and never maintained anything mechanical myself

 

[smokeysmoo]

All you need to know to keep your chain tip top is how to MICKLE

 

[Sniffer77]

Thanks all, Mickle it is this weekend then .

 

[ianrauk]

Chain cleaners are the devils work.

 

[Cuchilo]

My chains get baby wiped and Mickled . Although the Defy needs a good Mickling !

 

[400bhp]

Chain cleaners are the devils work.

My OH cme back from the shop with a chain cleaner and some degreasant or other yesterday. Cost - 20 odd quid.

9:30 am, the stuff was back in the shop and I was 20 odd quid better off.

Cheeky fecker in the shop asked (rhetorically) do you not clean your bikes then?

I left a particular webpage open on mickleing the chain at home last night.

 

[ianrauk]

My OH cme back from the shop with a chain cleaner and some degreasant or other yesterday. Cost - 20 odd quid.

9:30 am, the stuff was back in the shop and I was 20 odd quid better off.

Cheeky fecker in the shop asked (rhetorically) do you not clean your bikes then?

I left a particular webpage open on mickleing the chain at home last night.

They are 'use once-never again' type things..

 

[zacklaws]

To clean my chain, chain rings and cassettes, I used to use, whatever I had on hand, petrol, parrafin, white spirits etc.....but now I just buy a cheapo bottle of supermarket own brand washing up liquid, about 50p and brush it in well neat and then wash it off with water, dry it with a rag, and then a drop of oil on each link using Chain-L applied with a small artists paint brush, and after the first ride just wipe the chain with a dry rag to move any excess oil which may have spread onto the sides of the links

But never put petrol in a plastic chain cleaner, they warp and drop to bits eventually, as I found out

 

[Milzy]

Washing up liquid has salt in & rots your bike though.

 

[uclown2002]

Washing up liquid has salt in & rots your bike though.

 

[User6179]

Washing up liquid has salt in & rots your bike though.

Quite , I learned my lesson after giving my wheels a wash with Fairy Liquid

 

[Citius]

Washing up liquid has salt in & rots your bike though.

Lol. Yes it has salt in. No it doesn't rot your bike. Love this forum.