How do you clean your chain?
I've just acquired one of those Park Tool chain cleaning thingo's and you have to fill it with some degreaser then spin it around...
I'm interested to give it a go but anyone got any recommendations on some sort of non toxic, relatively environmentally friendly, citrus or similar degreaser? All the bike specific brands seem uber pricey.
How do you normally clean your chain? Must admit I've never degreased before, just a good wipe and re-lube...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matt Jones on -
Not sure, its something my parents had for jewellery making
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Permalink Reply by Matt Brennan on -
you can get them from those magazines they periodically leave on the doorstep - the danoz direct type.
they are made for cleaning rings gold chains etc....who would have thought to stick a bike chain in one?!
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Permalink Reply by Big Block on -
the ultrasonic cleaner is a loaner from a mate. It is not a small one for cleaning jewelry. It is industrial grade.
I was cleaning chains by putting one into a jar of kero, shaking, then repeating with fresh kero, then washing in water and detergent, then lubing each link. I had the chain spotless.
Then as a test I put my 'clean' chain in the clean kero and my mates ultrasonic cleaner. The kero turned black. The ultrasonic cleaner shakes all the crap from inside the chain rollers. This is where the wear occurs.
Next best is to wipe the outside of a chain regularly (after each ride) with a clean cloth, trying to limit the crap from working its way in.
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Permalink Reply by Martin Turner on -
A quick wipe with a rag after each ride and then a lube with Rock 'n Roll...and thats it. No taking off of chains and no degreaser. Every few weeks during the winter I run the Park Tools chain washer with hot water and detergent.
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Permalink Reply by Richard on -
Rock n Roll - is that the same sort of stuff as White Lightning? ie, a wax in a lot of solvent.
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Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on -
Rock and Roll is superior to White Lightening as it doesnt leave a residue on the chain
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
as I understand there are several flavors of "rock and roll"
if it doent leave a residue on the chain how does it lubricate?
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Permalink Reply by Richard on
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That's how I understand the White Lightning works - it leaves a waxy residue that protects the two metal surfaces rubbing against each other, but also flakes off taking the road grime with it.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Brennan on
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@ Don Rock n roll lubricates by getting into the rollers (so the bottle says)
Its different from the oils and wax based ones.
You squirt a heap on so it is dripping wet - then spin and keep wiping the chain until the crud disappears.
I was using squirt - but I found that built up, and particularly on the mountain bike in winter caked onto the cassette.
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Permalink Reply by Richard on
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(so the bottle says)
Ooo cripes, you don't want to believe what the bottle says. Blimey, even reading the things can do horrible things to your mind. Best just make it up as you go along.
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