Clean a chain

jobseek

Hello,
Is this something i should do often.
I can notice the chain beginning to get black,
I see cleaners with a brush within in them on crc, are these any good.
What do you recommend?
Thanks

torydiver

jobseek wrote: »

Hello,
Is this something i should do often.
I can notice the chain beginning to get black,
I see cleaners with a brush within in them on crc, are these any good.
What do you recommend?
Thanks

For value, lidl had ones in stock recently including degreaser and oil.....
Does the job fine....
Couldn't go wrong for less than 5 euros...

casion3

check out 5 minute bike clean on Global cycling news

funnights74

Yes you should clean your chain fairly regularly, especially after a cycle on a mucky day. Cleaning your chain prolongs the life of your chain and cassette and avoids any gear slippages that may occur. At the very least wipe the chain down with degreaser on some kind of rag. For a proper clean purchasing the gadgets mentioned in previous posts should do the trick.

Iranoutofideas

torydiver wrote: »

For value, lidl had ones in stock recently including degreaser and oil.....
Does the job fine....
Couldn't go wrong for less than 5 euros...

Bought one. They're rubbish

jamesd

Iranoutofideas wrote: »

Bought one. They're rubbish

Using one for the last few months and do the job perfectly, chain does be shining.

crosstownk

I use the Lidl chain cleaner but with a different degreaser (it's in the shed an I can't remember the name). It does the job. Gets the chain clean. The Lidl contraption doesn't work as advertised and your hands can get messy holding it in place. My metal watch strap gets degreased regularly!

Not as good as removing the chain for a good soak.

Then I put a drop of oil on each link. I probably don't clean it often enough but so far so good.

nak

Haven't used degreaser in years, just wipe the chain down with a rag, apply some lube, and wipe off excess with a tough plastic bag. Looks a lot cleaner than most and my components last longer.

triggermortis

I put a quick link in my chains so I can remove them and clean them properly

Beasty

funnights74 wrote: »

Yes you should clean your chain fairly regularly, especially after a cycle on a mucky day

During the winter I'll tend to give the chain, cassette and chainrings a good clean ever couple of weeks. Over the summer maybe every couple of months and I can sometimes get away with leaving it until I'm going to replace the chain anyway. I find the cassette is the thing that gets dirtiest and will transfer a lot of crap onto the chain. However I do swap my wheels over occasionally keeping that part of the drivetrain relatively "fresh" anyway (and then will every few months do a proper clean of a load of cassettes that may not have seen service for a while)

jamesd

I clean my chain and cassette after every wet cycle or if not wet then after every 3rd dry cycle.

Colonel Panic

I wipe my drive train down every week or two, put on some lube and wipe all but a thin film off. I've been using the same chain since November 2013 and it's only at about 0.5 wear on one of those Park Tool wear checkers now.

I don't put in serious distance though. I just commute by bike. 15 - 20km round trip and leisure cycles at the weekend.

slow

The Park Tools one is worth the money. Put in degreaser. Turn the crank 30 revs. Hose off the chain. Dry it and put on some lube. A two minute operation to keep a chain looking like new.

Iranoutofideas

jamesd wrote: »

Using one for the last few months and do the job perfectly, chain does be shining.

It wouldn't stay on the chain for me. The loop that goes over the rear deraileur kept coming off so I had to hold the thing in place. Pain in the ass

jamesd

Iranoutofideas wrote: »

It wouldn't stay on the chain for me. The loop that goes over the rear deraileur kept coming off so I had to hold the thing in place. Pain in the ass

I put on rubber gloves, hold it in place and it spills some but not too bad.

jimm

I go through one of those Lidl chain cleaners a year. Great piece of kit for €5. Use diesel in it first, then bike wash stuff, hose down, then lube.

Viper_JB

jimm wrote: »

I go through one of those Lidl chain cleaners a year. Great piece of kit for €5. Use diesel in it first, then bike wash stuff, hose down, then lube.

Diesel you say, what's the benefit of the diesel?

For me anyways I mainly just go mountain biking so before and after every cycle I'll run the chain through a rag until there's very little dirty being left on the rag, unless it's raining, in which case when I clean the bike after the chain will get a full clean using chain cleaner and greaser followed by a lube.

G1032

Viper_JB wrote: »

Diesel you say, what's the benefit of the diesel?

For me anyways I mainly just go mountain biking so before and after every cycle I'll run the chain through a rag until there's very little dirty being left on the rag, unless it's raining, in which case when I clean the bike after the chain will get a full clean using chain cleaner and greaser followed by a lube.

Cleans the chain really well and is also a lubricant....

May sound excessive but I'll spray a small amount of diesel on a rag after each spin and run the chain through it. Then hold the rag against the cassette and spin for another 20 seconds or so. Also give jockey whels a quick wipe. All in all, it'll take me 2 - 3 minutes tops to give the lot a wipe. Re-lube after and it's ready to go for the next day.
I'll clean then with the Park Tools chain cleaner every month or so.
None of this takes up any significant time and keeps the drive train clean.

jimm

Viper_JB wrote: »

Diesel you say, what's the benefit of the diesel?

Just cuts through the all the oil/crud nicely. I've also been known to scrub jockey wheels with a diesel loaded toothbrush.

dancrowley

I take my chain off the bike, chuck it in a plastic bottle with hot water and washing up liquid. Then i shake the sheeeiiiiiiite out of it. Dump out the water, rinse the bottle and repeat. When the water in the bottle stops being filthy, remove the chain and make sure to rinse it thoroughly with boiling water. Rinsing with boiling water has 2 advantages:

1. it removes all the left over washing up liquid (which contains salt - obviously bad for your chain)
2. it will evaporate quicker, leaving the chain in a good state to have your choice of lubricating oil/wax/compound applied.

Easy enough job to do every couple of weeks. My drivetrain gets incredibly dusty out here, but this process sorts the chain out nicely. With the cassette, i use a sponge and soapy water, rinse as i did the chain and apply lubricant once dried.

Viper_JB

Ah cheers, gotta give that a try next time, currently using GT86 for it.

BoardsMember

When you say lube it afterwards, is there any particular lube that is preferable? I got this (what seems) very light/thin spray, like WD40 but lighter, when I bought my OH a bike recently. Think it is this stuff: http://www.eurocycles.com/proddetails.aspx?pid=8182

djfattony2000

A tooth brush is better than the cleaning machines. Cheaper too.

jobseek

Thanks for the replies, i am going to go with the following,
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/park-tool-chain-scrubber-cm5-2/rp-prod8207
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/weldtite-citrus-degreaser/rp-prod32389
This is going to work out cheaper than the set which includes the degreaser with the cleaning tool

Once clean what oil should i put on the chain.
Thanks

Colonel Panic

BoardsMember wrote: »

When you say lube it afterwards, is there any particular lube that is preferable? I got this (what seems) very light/thin spray, like WD40 but lighter, when I bought my OH a bike recently. Think it is this stuff: http://www.eurocycles.com/proddetails.aspx?pid=8182

That stuff's grand. I use it on my bikes.

crosstownk

Use rubber gloves if you go down the diesel route. That stuff can cause dermatitis and dry out your skin in a big way.

jinkypolly

The best chain/bike cleaning tool I've used is this, just add warm soapy water.

countrykid

Every 2-3 spins I wipe the chain thoroughly with....BABY WIPES!!
Remove every kinda ****e known to man..
Then relube each link with MUC OFF DRY LUBE..
Excellent product

jobseek

Received the cleaner today, great job,would recommend it to any one,

tom_tarbucket

countrykid wrote: »

Every 2-3 spins I wipe the chain thoroughly with....BABY WIPES!!
Remove every kinda ****e known to man..
Then relube each link with MUC OFF DRY LUBE..
Excellent product

When you wipe with baby wipes, do you completely Dry the chain afterwards ? I.e. Before you put on the lube ?

cajonlardo

countrykid wrote: »

Every 2-3 spins I wipe the chain thoroughly with....BABY WIPES!!
Remove every kinda ****e known to man..
Then relube each link with MUC OFF DRY LUBE..
Excellent product

In fact, the baby wipes do such a good job that you'd worry what they do to the baby

countrykid

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

When you wipe with baby wipes, do you completely Dry the chain afterwards ? I.e. Before you put on the lube ?

Yeah... Dry with a piece of kitchen paper and lube up..
Good as new.
Diesel is the only other thing I've seen to clean so well but a lot messier

slap/dash

countrykid wrote: »

Yeah... Dry with a piece of kitchen paper and lube up..
Good as new.
Diesel is the only other thing I've seen to clean so well but a lot messier

Mind blown

tom_tarbucket

countrykid wrote: »

Yeah... Dry with a piece of kitchen paper and lube up..
Good as new.
Diesel is the only other thing I've seen to clean so well but a lot messier

Are you doing long cycles or only short ones. Every 2-3 cycles seems alot

eclectichoney

cajonlardo wrote: »

In fact, the baby wipes do such a good job that you'd worry what they do to the baby

I wonder would those kitchen cleaning dettol wipes do instead or would they be too harsh and have too many chemicals?

coastwatch

It might wipe away the germs but I cant see it removing grit as good as a chain cleaner gadget.
I haven't tried it , but the like the suggestion on sheldon brown of removing the chain and putting it in a plastic bottle with some citrus degreaser and shaking it for a while.

countrykid

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Are you doing long cycles or only short ones. Every 2-3 cycles seems alot

nowadays i dont normally get over 70-80km's..
but doesn't mean im any less pedantic about my ridiculously expensive 11 speed chains..
the chain in my view is one of the most important components on the bike ( apart from good hubs)...if its clean it'll be buttery smooth..
no friction...no drag...easier smoother peddling for me..

tom_tarbucket

countrykid wrote: »

nowadays i dont normally get over 70-80km's..
but doesn't mean im any less pedantic about my ridiculously expensive 11 speed chains..
the chain in my view is one of the most important components on the bike ( apart from good hubs)...if its clean it'll be buttery smooth..
no friction...no drag...easier smoother peddling for me..

Thanks.

I'm new to the whole bike cleaning business and only recently found out about degreaser, muc off, wet lube, dry lube etc AND the order in which to apply them.

How does this sound for a FULL bike clean



- wet bike with water
- apply degreaser to chain and front and rear cassette only and leave it do its thing for couple of minutes, use a brush to brush in around stuff.
- rinse off bike
- wipe off chain with a rag
- apply muc off to everywhere on the bike
frame, front and back gears, chains, wheels, brakes, just everywhere really........spray on and leave it do its thing for a few minutes
.- Whilst muc off is still doing its thing, use a brush to clean the bike
- then rinse off the bike with water
- Dry bike down with a cloth
- Dry the chain with a rag
- leave air Dry for an hour
- spray gt 85 on chain and leave overnight
-clean chain next morning by running it through a rag.
- then lube the INSIDE of the chain only with oil
- wipe off excess lube from chain with a rag

countrykid

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Thanks.

I'm new to the whole bike cleaning business and only recently found out about degreaser, muc off, wet lube, dry lube etc AND the order in which to apply them.

How does this sound for a FULL bike clean



- wet bike with water
- apply degreaser to chain and front and rear cassette only and leave it do its thing for couple of minutes, use a brush to brush in around stuff.
- rinse off bike
- wipe off chain with a rag
- apply muc off to everywhere on the bike
frame, front and back gears, chains, wheels, brakes, just everywhere really........spray on and leave it do its thing for a few minutes
.- Whilst muc off is still doing its thing, use a brush to clean the bike
- then rinse off the bike with water
- Dry bike down with a cloth- Dry the chain with a rag
- leave air Dry for an hour
- spray gt 85 on chain and leave overnight
-clean chain next morning by running it through a rag.
- then lube the INSIDE of the chain only with oil
- wipe off excess lube from chain with a rag

Sounds like you've got the hang of it to me!
A+

tom_tarbucket

countrykid wrote: »

Sounds like you've got the hang of it to me!
A+

: )

Thanks.


what do you think about the gt 85 step and leaving it on over night before lubing, I'm not sure on this part

iamtony

I used to race karts and the chain maintenance was a very important ritual. First off I can say don't use washing up liquid. It gets inside the links which is where your trying to protect and its full of salt.

For a quick clean Carb cleaner is great to use to desolve grit and residue and then lube it up.

Off the bike soaking in petrol is good then rinse or let it drip dry then soak in motor oil that will absorb into the links before cleaning any access off and spraying with lube.

It's important to note that chain wear happens internally so wiping it to a shine with a baby wipe will do nothing to prolong the life of the chain and your only cleaning the outside of the chain.

tom_tarbucket

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

: )

Thanks.


what do you think about the gt 85 step and leaving it on over night before lubing, I'm not sure on this part

Anyone on this

tom_tarbucket

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Thanks.

I'm new to the whole bike cleaning business and only recently found out about degreaser, muc off, wet lube, dry lube etc AND the order in which to apply them.

How does this sound for a FULL bike clean



- wet bike with water
- apply degreaser to chain and front and rear cassette only and leave it do its thing for couple of minutes, use a brush to brush in around stuff.
- rinse off bike
- wipe off chain with a rag
- apply muc off to everywhere on the bike
frame, front and back gears, chains, wheels, brakes, just everywhere really........spray on and leave it do its thing for a few minutes
.- Whilst muc off is still doing its thing, use a brush to clean the bike
- then rinse off the bike with water
- Dry bike down with a cloth
- Dry the chain with a rag
- leave air Dry for an hour
- spray gt 85 on chain and leave overnight
-clean chain next morning by running it through a rag.
- then lube the INSIDE of the chain only with oil
- wipe off excess lube from chain with a rag

also I'm wondering. Should I even bother with degreasing at all seeing as I'm doing the muc off step ?

MysticMah

Iranoutofideas wrote: »

Bought one. They're rubbish

I use in everyday,not bad

Cee-Jay-Cee

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Anyone on this

Don't really see the point to be honest. GT85 is a cleaner not a lubricant. Spray it on, wipe it off, job done.

tom_tarbucket

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Don't really see the point to be honest. GT85 is a cleaner not a lubricant. Spray it on, wipe it off, job done.

I don't get ya. are you saying I shouldn't bother at all with gt 85 ?

BoardsMember

Are people using lube/oil interchangeably? if not, what product for oil.

And why only the inside of chain?

Are people not oiling/lubing the chainring and cassette?

Hunterbiker

I suppose the theory is that oiling the insude links means there is less oil in the outside casing (that would attract crud to stick on).

You can take it further and lude the chain on the bottom links (inside the chain loop) as this means as you spin the oil is drawn into the chain whereas if you lube the top it just flicks off as you spin the cranks.

mikeyjames9

BoardsMember wrote: »

Are people using lube/oil interchangeably? if not, what product for oil.

And why only the inside of chain?

Are people not oiling/lubing the chainring and cassette?

Don't think lubing chaining /cassette is needed

tom_tarbucket

hi. see the attached files. I seen this product earlier in aldi for a euro. Was wondering if it could be used as a degreaser ?

Anyone ever use this type stuff before

tom_tarbucket

Any comment