Chain Cleaning?
forcutty
Posts: 1,055
It seems apparent that I'm the only one out of my riding friends, that takes their chain and cassette off to clean them.
Am I being Ocd or is this normal too have chains hanging on the radiator drying after cleaning and before lubing
Am I being Ocd or is this normal too have chains hanging on the radiator drying after cleaning and before lubing
0
Posts
The only time a cassette comes off is when a new one is needed.A chain can be cleaned perfectly with a chain cleaner,no need to remove.
Why waste time?
Boardman CX Comp
It's just as fast to take it off, and easier to lube after too, not to mention cleaning better. Oh and no need to buy a chain cleaner o'course.
I used chain cleaners previously until I removed a 'clean' chain. Unbelievable how much muck was in the bottom of the milk bottle when I'd finished
Squirt*insert preferred cleaner here*quick brush and spray with water.....done 8)
Boardman CX Comp
To get all the dirt out between cogs that could transfer on to the chain. :roll:
I do at times strip the rear derailler and cranks down as well, normally twice a year.
Boardman CX Comp
Doesnt take long but absolutely essential and leaves the chain looking brand new again.
Merida
Austria 2012
cassette comes off when it needs to be replaced and at no other time
I do clean it briefly if it's really dirty but just use a fat shoe lace or equivalent to get in between the sprockets, couldn't be easier or quicker with the chain off.
Need to clean, dry and apply a little oil asap.
However, if you've got a fairly new chain you want to avoid cleaning it as the manufacturer grease on there far exceeds any third party oil you can apply. Cleaning it will just remove it, especially if you use Muck Off etc.
I generally give it a wipe if it's a little mucky but don't clean it much, just keep it lubed.
When it comes to a full clean I just use soap & water in chain cleaner device (Park Tools thingy), dry with cloth and lube.
Cassette gets an occasional clean, but I don't usually take it off. Just a bit of scrubbing. Have used Muck Off recently and whilst it shifts the dirt fast I'm concerned what harm it may be doing to components, especially if it gets into bearings.
So SHeldon said but I'm really unconvinced, all my recent KMC chains came with a really sticky, heavy grease that was more like a rustproofing packaging grease than a bike lube- chainsuck central in the slightest bit of mud. So I cleaned the second one off before using it, relubed, and that was fine and lasted just as long.
But yeah, I am going by what Sheldon and co say.
it VERY good, useally took me ages to clean chain now it a simple as:
put degreaser into the tool, cycle chain, wash off sorted. 5mins easy.
really must say it saved a lot of time and hassle, i never go back to manual chain cleaning again
http://www.justgiving.com/broxbourne-runners
I borrowed one of those park chain cleaners and had a go, chain seemed nice and clean but just out of curiosity I threw it in a jar of paraffin and a load more grit and grime came off it. It was like a razor advert
In fact the only time my chain and cassette are cleaner that this is when they're new
Boardman CX Comp
He doesnt want to listen and his cassette etc is a total state, just black.