Bike chain question

  
  1. Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:51 AM Reply  
chrisman

Joined on 01/14/2009

Posts 3
 Aside from regularly lubricating your bike chain, what is a good method for cleaning the trail grit and dirt out of it?
  2. Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:43 PM Reply  
SDRider

Joined on 12/31/2008
San Diego, ca
Posts 20
 Cleaning your bike chain is one of the most important things you can do to keep your bike running smooth. It is amazing how much better a clean, lubed, chain will pedal and shift.

There is much debate over the proper way to clean and lube a chain. Here is what I do.

If it’s not too dirty I just lube it good with Pro Link Chain Lube. I usually squirt it on the inside of the chain between the rear derailleur and front sprocket. I then hold an old rag around the chain and back pedal wiping off the lube and dirt. I find it works best to have the chain on the big sprocket in the front and the middle sprocket in the back. I then re-lube like I did the first time and lightly wipe off excess chain lube. I realize this wastes some of the lube and also as the oil comes in contact with the dirt it carries it into the chain… maybe, I don’t want to over think this stuff.

If my chain is real dirty I use a plastic chain cleaner. It clips on the chain and has a bunch of scrubbers that scrub the chain as it passes through the cleaner. I used to just use dish soap and water, now I use Simple Green. I use to have the Park Tools cleaner and it worked great but broke after 3 years of use. It had a small magnet in the bottom to collect the dirt (good idea). I now have the Spin Doctor Clean Machine Chain Cleaner and it seems to scrub a little harder than the Park Tools one. I have read that you should not use water based cleaners on your chain, one site recommends kerosene. They also recommend Chain Saw oil instead of expensive Pro Link. I did have some problems with one of my single speed chains getting very sticky… maybe it was because of the Simple Green. I will try the kerosene method and let you know how it works.

Here are a couple of guys who know way more than me:

http://www.nordicgroup.us/chain/
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html
  3. Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:59 PM Reply  
chrisman

Joined on 01/14/2009

Posts 3
 Great! Thanks for the pointers.
  4. Tue Sep 01, 2009 5:31 PM Reply  
spdjunky

Joined on 06/29/2009
Richmond, vi
Posts 30
 Chrisman,
Remember that you are the engine and your cogs and chain are the transmission. You want to keep the oil and dirt from building up on your trans parts.
What I do to keep things smooth and free is after about 3 or 4 good rides ( lubing chain of course between each ride and toweling off dirt and excess oil )I use white lightning dry degreaser and I spay down the cogs and chain to remove all oil and dirt biuld up.
use plenty of raggs to keep the oil and dirt from getting all over your spokes , rims ect. but when you are finished your transmission will be fresh as new and ready for a new lube job and a good ride.
Remember your transmissions worst enemy is grit and grit sticks to oil so after a good chain lube is applied use a towel and run the chain through it to remove the excess.

Ride Hard and Long
Spdjunky
Richmond Va.