Chain cleaning - how often?

[RegG]

How often should I be looking to clean the chain on my road bike and what is the best method? I am currently doing around only 50-60 miles a week, generally in dry weather but hope to increase this mileage as I become fitter. I was looking at the Park Tools chain cleaning tool and wondered if it is as good as the reviews suggest. Any advice gratefully received.

 

[G3CWI]

I clean mine after every ride. ...and I commute on my bike. Nothing so nice as a clean chain.

As soon as I get in, I put the bike on a work-stand and clean the chain with a paper towel dampened with white spirit. I oil the chain about once a week and wipe off any surplus oil.

 

[arch684]

Search on here for the Mickle method

 

[helston90]

Varies depending on the conditions in which I've been riding- if it got wet/rained on then every ride, if it didn't then just mickle method with fortnightly clean.

 

[martint235]

@ianrauk has been known to pause mid ride with the baby wipes out.

 

[G3CWI]

[QUOTE 3862839, member: 259"]My experience of chain cleaning systems was bad[/QUOTE]

Fiddly and messy. I do have one and I use it maybe every 6 months. It does do a good job but I dont find it really suitable for regular use.

 

[DWiggy]

Once a week (100-140 miles) for me.
Dry lube in the summer lasts okay unless its really wet, or the teflon wet in deep winter works for me both usually see the week out with no problems.

 

[winjim]

@ianrauk has been known to pause mid ride with the baby wipes out.

@Fnaar

 

[Robeh]

clean chain after every ride and once a month i soak chain in this..http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsen...earch-_-SearchRec-_-Area3&_requestid=1385#_=p

 

[bpsmith]

I use Halfords own Chain Cleaner which was a gift. Works very well indeed. Can't see how it's messy in any way. In fact, my hands are cleaner than using a rag on the daft mickle method. Chain cleaners are just so much quicker and leave a properly cleaned chain on inside and out. What's not to like.

 

[Cyclist33]

Ummm... pretty much never, then I squander twenty quid a year on a new one.

 

[Drago]

Every ride on my bikes, except for my commuter which gets done weekly.

 

[oldfatfool]

When it looks black instead of gold.

 

[mjr]

Where do people find time to clean after every ride? Cleaning sucks because it's time spent not riding! So I do it only as much as helps.

Chain cleaners are just so much quicker and leave a properly cleaned chain on inside and out. What's not to like.

It shoves degreaser inside the chain and it's hard to get it out again, so it depletes the first load of lube and leaves it prone to wear just where the chain is most vulnerable, at the rollers.

The mucky Mickle method seems superior, especially if you only clean every week or so.

 

[bpsmith]

Where do people find time to clean after every ride? Cleaning sucks because it's time spent not riding! So I do it only as much as helps.


It shoves degreaser inside the chain and it's hard to get it out again, so it depletes the first load of lube and leaves it prone to wear just where the chain is most vulnerable, at the rollers.

The mucky Mickle method seems superior, especially if you only clean every week or so.

Mickle method cleans the outside of the chain only. Leaves the crap on the inside.

Thorough washing out of the citrus cleaner and leaving it to dry is the way to go, followed by fresh lube.

I don't do this after every short ride btw.