Cleaning your chain

ross_mcculloch

I know some people use a chain bath, some people remove the chain and others simply use a hard bristle brush..how do you clean yours?

MarvintheAndroid

Well I think this could be original -

I have some small plastic boxes with hinged lids, about 10 inch x 7 inch x 1 inch high. Chain goes in with enough concentrated bike wash (fenwick F1) just to cover it, close the lid, then I use a black and decker sander (with just the rubber pad, no actual sandpaper) and press down on the lid and switch on.

Bzzzzzzzz.

Empty and repeat.

Gets the thing pretty clean and ready for a lube.

Marv

ross_mcculloch

Ingenious!

So do most people remove their chain when cleaning it then?

Sir HC

Every few rides I'll take the chain off and pop it in a jam jar with white spirit. GIve it a shake and it comes out looking like new, rince under a tap to remove the white spirit and then lube.
Otherwise it just gets scrubed with a brush with the rest of the bike.

If regularly clean the chain, it doesn't get too bad and will last a lot longer.

Vivid

I remove the chain, place into a waterbottle, add citrus degreaser and shake. Works well and is recommended by Sheldon Brown.

All that is left to do is rinse in water and lube the inner side of the chain.

zeroseven

Steam cleaner.

Northwind

I use a paintbrush and toothbrush, and kerosene. Shifts basically ANYTHING, though it's very messy if you do it on the bike.

stumpyjon

Most rides just brush with normal cleaner, every couple of rides into the cahin bath with citrus degreaser. Occaisionally off altogether and into an old plastic takeout container to soak. The containers are great, just the right size and minimises the degreaser needed to fully submerge the chain.