Quick and effective way to clean chain/groupset

coolbeans

Hey all,
Gonna go for a spin today, my second proper one on the road bike and considering the weather the drivetrain is gonna get pretty mucky. Just wondering what technique you employ to clean the chain/groupset. I heard that diesel is good but I really don't know. Is using bike wash a bad idea? I've purchased bike wash and teflon lube and that's it really. I'm really dumb when it comes to the practicalities but realise that if I'm to keep costs down I'll have to get my hands dirty.
Thanks in advance,
CB.

ROK ON

Try this link.

http://www.worldwidecycles.com/s-11-bike-washing.aspx

stuf

and another

http://worldwidecyclesblog.com/2007/06/11/tip-of-the-week-bike-washing/

EDIT - ok it's the same bloody one with a different URL - doh!

Captain Havoc

I use: Pink cleaner, a chain cleaning machine thingy which is super and a gear cleaning brush

ednwireland

i bought one of these
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=NP08360

park tools great quality and works well

on special as well (sorts out the chain anyway)

Chips Lovell

Toothbrush and degreaser on the chain and cogs, then wash down with hot water.

Bambaata

First i use an old rag to run the chain through until almost all the grease is off, the same for the cassette. then i wet both with hot water and use a hard brush and scrub the chain in my hand. i then dry it and use another dry rag to clean out between the cogs. once dry i just add some lube and take her for a 2 min spin going through all gears. she only gets this treatment when she's particularly dirty. i dont mind her a little dirty you see ;-) but she was really filthy last time! took me ages but its satisfying once done

bcmf

let the dirt dry and it will be a lot easier. Diesel/Kerosene is a great degreaser but only on cassette when off the wheel and if you use it on the chain you will need to really lube it well after.

martyc5674

Ive one of these for my MTB
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=12709
Couldnt recommend it enough
Marty.

DualFrontDiscs

I use one of these:



http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Chain_Cleaning_Kit/5360024028/

It (or something similar) is your best bet for getting the drive chain back to new.

I used to have a Park one, but decided one day to clean it out with boiling water. Not a good idea, plastic warped.

At less that €20, it's a great investment.

If you're considering buying some tools for home maintenance, the cleaner comes as part of this kit: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Professional_Tool_Kit/5360031530/

Seems good value to me at €110. Any thoughts anyone?

DFD.

Ryaner

martyc5674 wrote: »

Ive one of these for my MTB
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=12709
Couldnt recommend it enough
Marty.

I've one of these as well. Great thing. I would recommend getting one with removeable brushes although it was cheap enough to replace the whole thing. Make cleaning the change a 5 minute job.

coolbeans

Thanks everyone. I've just purchased a chain cleaning kit with a bath similar to the ones described. I'm a bit paranoid about the chain and gears because I went through so many blocks and chains on my commuter mountain bike. I'm hard on chains for some reason...