Recommendations for oil removal/degreaser for chainset etc

Hey everyone,
I wondered what your opinions on the best degreaser for cleaning a bike chain and rear cassette etc are. I'm tempted to try the Muc-Off degreaser, but wondered if there's anything that's meant to be much better than other products. I even watched a video of somebody using diesel, but don't think I'll go down that route!
I wondered what your opinions on the best degreaser for cleaning a bike chain and rear cassette etc are. I'm tempted to try the Muc-Off degreaser, but wondered if there's anything that's meant to be much better than other products. I even watched a video of somebody using diesel, but don't think I'll go down that route!
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fwiw i've got a few chains so i just swap over when one gets covered in cack, then use citrus degreaser in a small ultrasonic tank, works well, you need to follow up with a couple of zaps in water to get rid of the degreaser
dry out (over on low) before applying new oil to the chain, leave it in a chain box to seep in
Not as good as dismantle and ultrasonic of course.
Absolutely brilliant stuff.
Just pour a bit in an old yoghurt carton and brush it on with the Morgan Blue chain cleaning brush.
Will be like new again..!
Oh and I believe it's what a lot of the pro teams use too
Why not? A litre of diesel (or petrol) is just over a quid at the moment. How much will your 'proprietary' degreasers cost you?
Some variation on that (Finish Line is equally good IME). Run it through with just water first then with degreaser, leave it on while you do the rest of the bike then finish up at the end. Let it all dry then relube. Done...
- @ddraver
Totally get the point of bike specific grease and lubes but for degreasing, you just need something to strip grease and not leave residue. Doesn't need to be expensive at all.
I poured some into a cut down bidon and added some water to dilute and apply with a paint brush and let it soak in a bit, I clean with a nail brush, rags and a sponge then wash off any other residue when I clean the rest of the bike, let it dry and then re-lube the drive chain.
I am happy with it
Try the same thing with petrol or diesel - it's the same result, but much, much cheaper. £11.95 for 600ml - you can get around 10 litres of diesel for the same price...
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How do you avoid breathing in the fumes and splashing it around? You shouldn't be spilling ANY petrol or diesel on the ground.
Yes, quite serious. I would guess that you'd be exposed for longer using it to clean your bike than sloshing some into a lawnmower. You probably get closer into the area where you're applying it too with the bike. Maybe you are careful with it, I hope so
I avoid breathing in the fumes by simply not sticking my nose directly into the petrol can. Apart from that, there really is no risk whatsoever - no more so than filling up your car at a service station. As for not spilling any on the ground.....
Fair enough. Not wanting to dismiss what works for you, just suggesting caution where hazardous chemical are involved. I spent many years in a research chemistry lab and we wouldn't use petrochemicals or solvents outside of enclosures with proper air extraction. It sets alarm bells ringing for me.