Drivetrain degreasing in situ?
reaperactual
Posts: 1,183
First time I've done this. Got some engine degreaser spray, sprayed liberally on chainring, chain and cassette then washed off with water and happy with the results.
Is it safe to do this without taking them off the bike first? Will the degreaser make its way into the bb and rear bearings? Should I take some precautions to try and protect the areas where the degreaser could get into the bearings or would it be advisable to remove parts from the bike first and not risk it?
Is it safe to do this without taking them off the bike first? Will the degreaser make its way into the bb and rear bearings? Should I take some precautions to try and protect the areas where the degreaser could get into the bearings or would it be advisable to remove parts from the bike first and not risk it?
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And it all promised so so much”
Giant Trance 2 27.5 2016 ¦ Sonder Broken Road 2021¦ Giant Revolt Advanced 2 2019 ¦ Giant Toughtroad SLR 1 2019 ¦ Giant Anthem 3 2015 ¦ Specialized Myka Comp FSR 2009
Then neat on the gears and chain. I agitate with a brush and then rinse if off.
I use white spirit. Small plastic dish. Tesco's cheapest paint brush. Angle the cassette downward so that said white spirit flows towards the 11t not into the hub. turn wheel a couple of times with brush against cassette. Wash with a *low pressure* dribble of water (white spirit is not very mechanically robust) and bingo.
General approach, even with grotty looking black spirit, works for chain rings, f & r mechs.
White spirit is bad. It is from fossil fuels, right? But you can use such a tiny amount that (a) your gel wrapper is much, much worse and (b) we are all doomed anyway so just drive less if it bothers you.
I used Astonish Engine Degreaser from the local D.I.Y. shop and worked so well that I thought it might be too aggressive for bike parts compared to cycle specific or foam versions. Will take note and only do a deep clean/degrease every few months, good to know how often.
Did faff around with covering the rotor with a plastic bag before hand but not knowing if it will be disc safe I suppose better to err on the side of caution for now.
Looks like my next purchase should be a chain cleaning device for next time. Will make this part of my cleaning regime instead of flossing cassette with rags as never really seemed to get good results with that method.
Will give a light but thorough sprinkle with the hose, dry and look forward to adding lube to a nice clean chain for a change!
Not too fussed about the environment we're all saving the world by riding our bikes!
Thank you everyone for your helpful advice, very much appreciated. 😎👍
It seems that I am either unlucky or just not careful enough. So I just use a bucket and a brush, no hose, no jetwash, no problems.
And it all promised so so much”
Giant Trance 2 27.5 2016 ¦ Sonder Broken Road 2021¦ Giant Revolt Advanced 2 2019 ¦ Giant Toughtroad SLR 1 2019 ¦ Giant Anthem 3 2015 ¦ Specialized Myka Comp FSR 2009
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/bike-cleaning/bikehut-chain-cleaning-kit-164289.html
You have to run the chain through it at quite a rate of knots to get the chain good and ‘foamy’ but it’s really effective. I’ve been using it on my 12 speed recently, and it brings it up like new. I’ve done about 700 miles on it since about June, and I’ve got practically no wear on the chain at all. Decent cleaning, decent lubing, it’s worth the effort.
Seeing as I have a £20 Love To Shop voucher that Halfords will accept I reckon that's the winner!
Another new step in my cleaning regime but worth it. Thanks for the recommendation brundonbianchi! 👍
Avge rides/week = 0
Avge distance/week = 30 miles
Avge time/week = 2 hours
Total distance 2020 = 2,842mi
We can only hope you're not doubling up on those totals, cos they're bad enough as they are...
We are in week 35 of 2020. Average mileage is 81.2 per week, so at 2 hours on average is 41 mph. That is awesome.
Which, divided by zero rides means that each ride is infinitely long. This is even more awesome.
I know I have a PhD and all that, which means, if I understand the PhD/common sense Venn diagram correctly, that I have no common sense, but I just wonder whether there might be some perturbation to these data depending on what rides are public or not.
Just saying...
Your choice though, obviously...