Which products to degrease and lube chain?

[cycle_bug]

Okay guys, I'm new to serious cycling and still learning a tonne from the forum.. one on maintenance..

Moved my bike in to the house to fit a pannier, and heard this noise like sand / grinding coming from my chain / rings. Definitely aware that its non-rideable in this state.

Upon closer inspection, the bike's chain is absolutely submerged in a sludge of oily, gritty substance.

Now, since the bike was new in March, its been oiled once in April and since then I've been using a £1 shop 'bike chain lube' spray thinking this was fine but it seems to be picking up dirt and not performing very well, lesson learnt...

I'm going to get into Halfords this week to get some cleaner and lube for the chain and drive train components. Out of these two sets, which do you advise I buy? I know they'll both probably do the job, but if this was your money. Also, my chain is probably beyond the normal level of dirt given that crap I used and shouldn't have :-(

Muc-Off Kit - these guys must have a large marketing budget! see their products everywhere.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/bike-cleaning/muc-off-wash-protect-and-lube-kit

Bikehut Cleaning Bundle
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/bike-cleaning/bikehut-cleaning-bundle

I've also realised to get between the cassette I'm going to need one of these brushes, thought this would be sufficient: http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/bike-cleaning/bikehut-gear-cleaning-brush

I have promised myself the chain will never get this bad again. Raging as its stopping me from my evening cycles during the week!

 

[Garry A]

I use this and an old toothbrush. I take the cassette and chain off and clean them in a foil dish. Rinse, re attach then lube the chain.

 

[cycle_bug]

I use this and an old toothbrush. I take the cassette and chain off and clean them in a foil dish. Rinse, re attach then lube the chain.

Looks powerful and industrial, would it definitely be fine to use on my bike chain and not too strong?

 

[Garry A]

You can dilute it but I use it neat and the chain is fine. Don't think I'd get it near my frames paint work though I'm sure there are others on this site that use the same stuff.

As for lube I use Finish line dry (red label) when its dry and Finish line wet (green label) in rainier times. Derailers get a spray of GT-85 being careful to avoid the braking surfaces.

 

[Danny B]

I use the Muc Off chain cleaner and this works very well, spray on and leave for 5 mins then wash with warm soapy water and sponge rinse off and spray water repellent on leave, to dry and lube. Then rag off the excess lube which helps stop the chain getting dirty to quickly again.

 

[cycle_bug]

Thanks guys, i'll collect the opinions of anyone else who comments then on tomorrow or Friday I'll make my purchase. Might get some before and after pics on the go, it's in some state!

 

[wonderloaf]

Re the cleaning brush, go into Poundland and buy yourself a couple of washing up brushes for quid, I find they work just as well. Also clean in between the cogs of the cassette with the edge of a rag. With the money you save put it towards the lube, I've just bought some Muc-off dry lube and am quite impressed how well it works, the mech is running very quietly now!

 

[mjr]

I mostly use degreaser, household brushes and rag, but I do like having a fancy £2 one of those claw brush things for hoiking dirt out from between the cogs and around the jockeys without breaking bamboo skewers so much.

Then to lubricate it, I either use common-or-garden TF2 or finest Italian extra virgin dry lube depending on the bike and the mickle method (use the search).

 

[mjr]

Was the pound shop spray lube the little 3 in 1 things @cycle_bug? If so, then it's not that bad, but you still need to clean the chain sometimes if it's not in a case and I think most liquid lubes are better. The spray lubes can be good for putting on wet chains to expel the water after a rainy ride.

 

[raleighnut]

Once you've got the chain clean use the 'Mickle' method (sorry @mickle but 'the old cloth and oil way' doesn't have the same ring) just search on here.

 

[Drago]

White spirits, toothbrush (the Wife's will do fine, sneak it back before she notices), and HP gear oil. You won't clean better, you won't lube better, and it'd be hard to get even cheaper.

 

[RoubaixCube]

I use some degreaser made by mucc off - Id recommend buying a chain cleaner made by mucc off or parktool just to make life a little easier. all you need to do is run the chain through a few times after spraying it with degreaser and let the tool do the work.

 

[raleighnut]

White spirits, toothbrush (the Wife's will do fine, sneak it back before she notices), and HP gear oil. You won't clean better, you won't lube better, and it'd be hard to get even cheaper.

Swap that for Chainsaw oil and you're OK (Hypoid 80/90 reeks)

 

[cycle_bug]

These are the two culprits of the damage caused already, will get one showing the sludge..

 

[Ajax Bay]

Maybe you could measure the amount of chain stretch and decide that a new chain is required. Then start afresh with the @mickle method quoted above.