cleaning the chain and cassett

kaffenback

What do people use to clean of the grime and dirt? I have been using white spirit, which is very cheap and effective, but maybe too effective; it can't be doing much good for the paint on my frame if it splashes. Any alternatives?

heghog

dude `MUCK OFF`works well for me available every where on the tin ter net

bikeit65

Muck off is fine but don't leave it on the paint work or stickers to long as it will discolour the paint work and cause the stickers to peel.

Monty Dog

White Lightning Metal Prep spray

bobtravers

WD-40 works great... and also helps that dirt doesn't stay on your bike on your next ride... Doesn't affect the paint on your bike too...

Yellow Cliff

I use a Swarfega degreaser that was cheap at Screwfix. It is good for chains etc and is water soluble so nicer to work with, plus you can water it down to suit the job you are doing.

schlepcycling

For quick(ish) post ride clean I use one of those chain cleaning things that clips to the chain filled with some cheap citrus degreaser I got from Halfrauds. For a deeper clean I remove both chain and cassette and soak in white spirit overnight.

noggincp

white spirit

georgee

Swarfega Oil & Grease Remover or bog standard hand cleaner?

am using Park chain cleaner at the mo but you can't help but think there is a more economical way to do it.

kaffenback

Thanks Guys, some good alternatives there to go on. This site is brilliant and so helpful. One question , or perhaps two, how do you remove a cassette, is it simple and while we are at it what about taking off the chainset to give that a good clean?

Thanks

wildmoustache

cassette removal requires chainwhip, lockring and any adjustable spanner. you can get the first two from wiggle. parktool chainwhip is a good'un.

it's fairly obvious hnw to do it once you have these three tools.

wheel off, lockring in end of cassette, spanner round lockring, chainwhip round a middle cog of the cassette holding the cassette with one hand holding the chainwhip handle steady, then apply pressure in the other direction with the spanner. check out parktool's website for illustrations etc.

it is an easy job and one all cyclists should learn.

Yellow Cliff

georgee wrote:

Swarfega Oil & Grease Remover or bog standard hand cleaner?

am using Park chain cleaner at the mo but you can't help but think there is a more economical way to do it.

This is the stuff:
Heavy duty degreaser

Pretty economical because I find it works on my chain when diluted to 1/3 strength or so.

Monty Dog

You don't need to take the cassette off every time you want to clean it, provided you have a regular cleaning regime and don't overdo the chain lube. I find tearing some rags into longish strips and then using them between the sprockets clean out most of the muck, meaning I have have to take the cassette off for a good clean evey 6 months or so.

Ale

I find that baby wipes are exceptionally good for cleaning my drivetrain.

They have lotion on them anyway which has some degreasing properties, although I add a littlewater soluble degreaser too.

Best of all though, they are essentially cloth, not paper, so they can be folded and used between the sprockets to clean out all the gunk.

kaffenback

Thanks again guys, especially Wildmustache.

Dogma Dave

Ale wrote:

I find that baby wipes are exceptionally good for cleaning my drivetrain.

They have lotion on them anyway which has some degreasing properties, although I add a littlewater soluble degreaser too.

Best of all though, they are essentially cloth, not paper, so they can be folded and used between the sprockets to clean out all the gunk.

Absolutely!! Baby wipes are by far greatest bike cleaning tool known to man, and clean any amount of muck, oil, grease and road debris as quick and easy as you like. Until you have tried them you simply would not believe how good they are.

Pampers wipes are easily the best brand for the job in my opinion, as the base material is less prone to shredding when cleaning the sharper chains, cassettes, chainsets etc.

As for cassette cleaning, simply remove the rear wheel and place it on your lap, cassette upwards. Use a folded or rolled up baby wipe and pull it to and fro between sprockets to get that as new finish every time. The cassette will automatically revolve by a small amount one way, but not the other, allowing the whole thing to be thoroughly cleaned. Perfect!

Phil Russell

Grime and dirt: Chain off the bike = white spirit in a jar. Shake jar until chain is clean, possibly helped by toothbrush to get rid of stubborn dirt (wife does not notice as long as her brush is washed in washing up liquid afterwards ). Let chain drip dry over paper towel etc and lube. Let dirt settle in white spirit and reuse clear stuff again.
Chain on bike: chain cleaning machine or a rag with white spirit on.
Components: On bike: rag with white spirit or a spray with GT85 and wipe. Then lube (get rid of dirt/crud build up with an old blunt screwdriver on jockey wheels and thick string in between cassette cogs. Off bike: white spirit soak, often helped by dismantling.
Frame: bad oily grime use white spirit soaked rag e.g under bottom bracket, hubs, inside chainstays. General dirt: car wash/polish, small sponge finishing with a good car wax polish.
Wheels: toothbrush (daughter's this time ) with a soapy solution or mild pan cleaning solution for aluminium rims, rinsing well (I use a pump up sprayer for this).

Sit back and admire the sparkly bike, most likely nursing black eyes from wife and daughter 8)

Cheers, Phil

dynamoduck

http://www.kmcchain.com/index.php?ln=en ... c97e50f278
see the KMC website for good advice.

No solvents- definitely no white spirit. Soapy hot water then clean with oil your are going to use. i like finish line cross country-

Sailing7

Chain off is best - easy job with quick links on KMC or SRAM chains.

Old socks makes great rags for cleaning cassette whilst still on bike!

As for re-lube I've tried Finish Line, White Lightning but am converted to ProGold Prolink - doesn't want to wash off, even with white spirit!

wildmoustache

for rims and brakeblocks... some degreaser on a kitchen towel rubbed into rim and blocks. prepare for improved brakeing with a squeak to begin with.

pieinthesky

Dont let any degreaser or water near your bearings. Careless cleaning can cause more damage than wind, rain and mud!

To clean your cassette without removing it, wrap a piece of cloth round an old hacksaw blade (or something similar) so it is about the right size to fit between sprockets. Spray a little WD 40 or GT 85 etc onto the rag and run it between the sprockets.

Dont spray directly on the cassette as it can run into the feehub and wheel bearings.

All other areas near bearings, use a damp cloth or if greasy a cloth with a little WD 40/GT85.

wildmoustache

pieinthesky wrote:

Dont let any degreaser or water near your bearings. Careless cleaning can cause more damage than wind, rain and mud!

To clean your cassette without removing it, wrap a piece of cloth round an old hacksaw blade (or something similar) so it is about the right size to fit between sprockets. Spray a little WD 40 or GT 85 etc onto the rag and run it between the sprockets.

Dont spray directly on the cassette as it can run into the feehub and wheel bearings.

All other areas near bearings, use a damp cloth or if greasy a cloth with a little WD 40/GT85.

good advice, but also a reason why removing the cassette is a good idea for cleaning.

i also find cleaning individual sprockets therepeutic. I clean with white lightening. nothing else. it takes off dirt and gently lubes!