Chain cleaning

[JackStraw]

Hi All,
I want to ask you how do you clean your chain properly. What is the most effective way?
I can see some people use these chain cleaning devices that are filled with some degreaser I presume.

Is it better to clean it with degreaser/water risking the corrosion or better wipe with kerosene/white spirit/petrol/diesel?

As it comes to brushes I reckon you can only use plastic not steel wire to cause abrasion. I was just wondering if steel wire can be used as this will last longer than these plastic ones that go bad pretty quickly and then it goes to the landfill.

Am I also good in thinking that it is better to have a silver rather than black cassette sprocket to spot the filth accumulating?

Thanks

 

[si_c]

The best way to clean a chain is to remove it from the bike and run it through an ultrasonic cleaner - other methods won't come close - but a stiff bristle brush and a degreaser bath is a good low cost alternative.

Failing that ongoing preventative maintenance is your best bet - keep a microfibre cloth on hand and run the chain through it at the end of each ride to clear the gunk off - you can use an aerosol degreaser and spray the cloth to make it a bit more effective. Similarly use the edge of the cloth to clean between the sprockets on the cassette.

If you regularly clean your bike the colour of the cassette matters not.

 

[FrankCrank]

I don't exactly clean any of my chains, but I like to dribble some bacon fat on them, shame to discard the stuff after a decent fry-up.

This might explain why the local dogs follow me down the road when I go for a ride

 

[CXRAndy]

The most effective way, is to drop in a container of solvent, gunk, white spirit, petrol, etc. Run in a ultrasonic cleaner for 5 mins to loosen all the grime, do it again in clean solvent.

Dry with cloth , drop in tub of oil any type old or new. Remove and drip dry.

Refit to bike

 

[T4tomo]

use the search function, this topic has been done to death

 

[Drago]

My chains are usually worn to the limit before they get bad enough to require a deep clean, so a dose of Mickling (tm) does me.

 

[Paulus]

White spirit, a rag and 5 minutes worth of rotating the pedals and chain backwards.

 

[Vantage]

Run it through an oily rag for a quick clean and once in a while dunk it a tub of white spirit. Don't forget the jockey wheels, cassette and chainrings too.

 

[JackStraw]

use the search function, this topic has been done to death

I did but nothing came up
There could also be some changes in the cleaning technology. I can see people use some ultrasonic technology to clean their chains which sounds futuristic to me.
I use to play that old computer game UFO XCOM and remember the aliens had the ultrasonic guns on them what gave them the edge.

I can see white spirit being mentioned frequently but without the ultrasonic cleaner the chain cannot be 100% cleaned so the particles are still there and wear the chain. I reckon some people don't bother and just change to a new chain.

Someone else on another thread mentioned the old school mud guard. I reckon this is a thing of the past but this would prevent the dust getting onto the chain and reduce the need for cleaning. I don't cycle off road so there is less mud on the bicycle + considering the dry season in Britain but the dust will definitely bind to the chain in this season.

Thank you for you answers.

 

[si_c]

Someone else on another thread mentioned the old school mud guard. I reckon this is a thing of the past but this would prevent the dust getting onto the chain and reduce the need for cleaning. I don't cycle off road so there is less mud on the bicycle + considering the dry season in Britain but the dust will definitely bind to the chain in this season.

You'll still get quite a bit of dust and grime adhering to a chain even in completely dry conditions, choice of lubricant can make a huge difference here - a dry lube will collect much less than a wet lube. Wax is the best overall. In wet conditions however it'll wash out very quickly leaving a dry chain.

Mudguards make a huge difference - all but my best bike have them and defintely keep the drivetrain much cleaner, but you need full length ones not those that just keep your arse dry.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Ultrasonic cleaning is probably the best but if you don't have the kit then removing the chain and soaking it in a bath of dgreaser (such as the Screwfix one) with shaking regularly and using an old toothbrush on it. Rinse under the tap and hang up to dry. Obviously you only do that every 1,000 - 1,500 miles or so at most, and wipe it down in between and relube (but not with the devil's lube, ie wet lube).
My last chain lasted almost 15,000 kms. (di2 helps longevity I think, but have regularly got 10,000 kms out of a chain in the past.)

 

[Vantage]

You'll never get the chain 100% clean even in a clean room. The metal will grind down over time no matter what you do so all we can do is try to keep it from getting really filthy and lubricated whether it be dry or wet lube. Both have their pros and cons.
A sonic cleaner is an expensive piece of kit so I wouldn't get one simply for the chain. It's just not worth it imo.

 

[steverob]

If I clean my chain (as well as the rest of my bike) after coming back from a ride, when should I re-lube the chain? There and then, or should I wait until just before my next ride which will probably be about a week later, or does it not make a difference?

 

[Punkawallah]

Run the chain through a rag in your hand to get the crap off. Ditto with WD40 on the rag. Drop of lube on each link. Run though the rag again.
As has been said, chain rings, cassette cogs, derailleur cogs need keeping clean as well.

 

[Alex321]

If I clean my chain (as well as the rest of my bike) after coming back from a ride, when should I re-lube the chain? There and then, or should I wait until just before my next ride which will probably be about a week later, or does it not make a difference?

There and then. If you leave the chain damp from cleaning, without lubing iut, then you will get surface rust.