Cleaning bike chains.
cchapman
Posts: 545
I know this must have been asked before, but would somebody point me in the right direstion,or just give me general advice:
What is the best way to clean and maintain a bike chain?
thanks in anticipation.
Chris
What is the best way to clean and maintain a bike chain?
thanks in anticipation.
Chris
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I'm inclined to go with the KMC method esp. as I now have a KMC chain. One of my training buddies thoroughly degreased his chain at the end of last year and despite numerous re-lubes it will not stop squeaking...
- 2023 Vielo V+1
- 2022 Canyon Aeroad CFR
- 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
- Strava
- On the Strand
- Crown Stables
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jashburnham wrote:I'm inclined to go with the KMC method esp. as I now have a KMC chain. One of my training buddies thoroughly degreased his chain at the end of last year and despite numerous re-lubes it will not stop squeaking...
I'm not sure they give the best method, after all they want to sell more chains.
My KMC chain doesn't squeak after the degreasing treatment, although it rattled alot before it got lubed.
(Perhaps I just don't hear the squeaking over the noise of my mudguards.)0 -
In my experience soaking chains in degreaser shortens their life by 25-30%.0
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I soak mine overnight in diesel and it never squeaks!!0
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Leave your chain in place. Wipe it with a cloth soaked in degreaser. That way you leave the important internal lube well alone, whilst keeping the outside reasonably shiny.
I've used chain baths in the past but have now seen the light!0 -
I've used chain baths in the past but have now seen the light!
What's wrong with chain baths?
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ellieb wrote:I've used chain baths in the past but have now seen the light!
What's wrong with chain baths?
A lot of people claim that they remove the lube from the inside of the chain. Its difficult to replace it and therefore although you have a nice shiny chain, it wears much more quickly. This is why KMC for instance, discourage their use. I began to feel that I was needing to replace chains far too regularly.
I will admit though that this is a contentious area!0 -
How often should you degrease the chain & lube it?
How many miles can I expect from a chain?0 -
I would not recommend degrasing a chain at all, soaking in diesel will lube and clean the chain. A narrow campag 10 speed chain should be replaced every 1000 miles or so to prevent wear on other components.0
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Soaking in diesel totally degreases chain and this should not be required if you look after the chain properly.
It is better to wipe chain after wet ride, then lube it a bit when totaly dry.
I do sometimes us chain bath and re lube if gunged a bit after really bad ride and chain looks a bit too much gunged up.0 -
musto_skiff wrote:How often should you degrease the chain & lube it?
I tend to go by what's on it - if after a ride your chain, or more obviously your chainrings have got grit on them wipe the grit off with a degreaser and brush possibly, both chain, chainrings and cassette, then dry off with a rag, then lube your chain with something like Finish line Cross Country - it's basically just about getting most of the grit off, as and when needed really.0 -
Are you kidding!?Campy King wrote:I would not recommend degrasing a chain at all, soaking in diesel will lube and clean the chain. A narrow campag 10 speed chain should be replaced every 1000 miles or so to prevent wear on other components.
Run the chain through a clean rag on which you've sprayed WD 40, maybe a couple of times depending on how dirty, then through a dry clean part of the rag. Then apply a drop of high quality lube to each link roller. I use SFR. I also buy a bag of rags from a cleaning supplies shop - real cheap and my bag's lasted 5 years so far!
My "thin" campag chains last 10,000+ km.
Trick is to do it regularly (every 150-200km at least) and esp if there is any water on your ride or you sweat a lot. Then clean/lube as soon as you get home.
Clean any gunk from dereilleur rollers and chainrings and cogs.0 -
ok dont know how effective the above methods are but this one works a treat for me.... Just need a can of degreser (or a cloth with diesel, whatever you awnt to use)... Get it nicely on the chain and scrub the chain with a brush. either a nail brush or something a little bigger.. but plastic bristles so it wont damage the chain.
Works a treat for me, and doesn't take long.
I guess it depends how much time you have... It doesn't do a perfect job but it gets rid of a majority and you can also scrub the dirt out of your casette etc.
Does anyone disassemble their casette and soak that too?0 -
Are you kidding!?Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:Campy King wrote:I would not recommend degrasing a chain at all, soaking in diesel will lube and clean the chain. A narrow campag 10 speed chain should be replaced every 1000 miles or so to prevent wear on other components.
About what???0 -
become a pro and get someone to do it for you!
Thats my plan anyway10 -
I took Sheldon Brown's advice and haven't touch my chain for the first couple of hundred dry, road miles on my SCR2.
Going to clean the chain and re-lube tonight and do some regularly now that the factory lube is probably depleted.2007 Giant SCR2 - 'BFG'
Gone but not forgotten!:
2005 Specialized Hardrock Sport - 'Red Rocket'0
