Chain cleaning
paulus69
Posts: 160
I am kind of winging it with looking after my bike, I do have a question about cleaning the chain on my bike.
After each ride I give the bike a quick wash and a squirt with GT85 (i prefer the smell of it to wd40)
About once a week I give the chain a rub with a cloth and some heavier wet lube
I plan on about each six weeks degresing the chain with come petrol and a little nyon brush and then drying i completly and relubing it
Am I on the right track? I don't use one of those spinny gadgets as they are the price of a new chain and I love the smell of the alternative (petrol)
After each ride I give the bike a quick wash and a squirt with GT85 (i prefer the smell of it to wd40)
About once a week I give the chain a rub with a cloth and some heavier wet lube
I plan on about each six weeks degresing the chain with come petrol and a little nyon brush and then drying i completly and relubing it
Am I on the right track? I don't use one of those spinny gadgets as they are the price of a new chain and I love the smell of the alternative (petrol)
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Posts
Everyday Commuter
I was thinking the exact same thing, the powerlinks don't weaken the chain or cause any issues do they, I only bought them as a repair if my chain broke.
My cycling blog
Specialized Secteur 2012 / Carrera Vulcan v-spec
I haven't had any problems with the power links but always carry a spare in my mule. As a rule I prefer to use a "little" light oil. Too oily and the chain will carry grit/sand and effectively create a grinding paste. Less is more as they say.
<touches wood> Not had an issue with Powerlinks, either, and always carry a spare.
+1 for taking the chain off and soaking it after a long ride. I tend to soak mine in FS-1.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."
As for "strips the internal lubes from the chain", these are not motorcycle Xring/Oring chains we're talking about - Where is this "internal lube" on a pushbike chain?
Not having a go at you, but there is a lot of old flim-flam talked about regarding bike chains.
Personally I degrease mine on a regular basis (using powerlink to remove) with whatever's to hand (normally white spirit) and then lube with some sort of oil (wiping off any excess very thoroughly).
The most important point (in my opinion) is not to over lube as you're simply giving something for grit to cling to.
Personally I don't soak chains, but prefer to keep them clean preventing the need. WD-40 or GT85 to clean via a cleanish rag then once the chain runs clean a bit of lube, then leave and wipe dry.
Carbon 456
456 lefty
Pompino
White Inbred
I'm said I'm not a chain expert. I use citrus degreaser because it came with the chain cleaning tool. As regards WD40, just do an internet search for "WD40 bike chains".
OP posted which to me implies that if he didn't prefer the smell of GT85 to WD40, then WD40 would have been an acceptable alternative. If he'd said that would have been different. I'm just pointing out that using WD40 as a lube is not considered a good idea for those riders who may not realise that WD40 is a solvent, not a lubricant.
Finally regarding internal lube, where do you think the lubricant ends up when you oil the chain???
Edit: Just searched for GT85 as well. Interesting results.
My point is that on a very "open" chain there is no real "internal" or "external" to lube. Anything you put on/in the chain will be internal/external/generally all over the place - Whether it be something to degrease, or something to lubricate.
It's just metal linked together, with pretty big gaps everywhere.
My cycling blog
Specialized Secteur 2012 / Carrera Vulcan v-spec