Is it actually possible…

[KelOnWheels]

… to get ALL the dirt off a chain?

Instructions for cleaning/lubing your chain always say to just keep wiping the chain until no more dirt comes off… I have never gotten to this point, even with degreaser.

Do these people have an infinite supply of rags or something?

These are the things I ponder at 5:30 AM when I’m cleaning my chain. :confused:

[jabberwocky]

Sure. A jar of mineral spirits and an industrial ultrasonic cleaner will have a chain absolutely completely pristine in about 20 minutes.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Also remember that certain types of lubes attract more dirt/grime than others. I’ve been using a wet conditions lube on my commuter…I use it so that I can ride in the rain and not have to re-lube all the time, but it attracts gunk like crazy. I use a light lube on my road bike and that doesn’t attract much dirt at all…tradeoff is that I have to re-lube if it rains or my drivetrain gets wet.

[KelOnWheels]

@jabberwocky 54206 wrote:

Sure. A jar of mineral spirits and an industrial ultrasonic cleaner will have a chain absolutely completely pristine in about 20 minutes.

OK, is it possible without taking the chain off?

[jabberwocky]

@KelOnWheels 54222 wrote:

OK, is it possible without taking the chain off?

Companies make these wonderful things called powerlinks, Kel.

[83b]

I’ve followed the Eco-Velo guide to chainwaxing since switching to biking in a suit awhile back. It seems to work really well for lubricating the chain and keeps grime off of my cuffs (aided, of course, by a decent chainguard).

http://www.ecovelo.info/2011/10/10/chain-waxing-101/

[txgoonie]

You only have to do a super-duper, mineral spirits soaking cleaning every once in a while. I used my handy-dandy Park Tool chain cleaner once every week or two, and that holds off the need for deep cleaning quite nicely.http://www.parktool.com/product/cyclone-chain-scrubber-CM-5-2 I also wipe and re-lube my chain between every ride or two.

One of my teammates who specializes in 100-mile MTB races swears by chain waxing. I haven’t gone that route yet, but it sounds interesting.

[KelOnWheels]

@jabberwocky 54223 wrote:

Companies make these wonderful things called powerlinks, Kel.

I found the one on my chain today! I was very excited.

[KelOnWheels]

@83(b) 54224 wrote:

I’ve followed the Eco-Velo guide to chainwaxing since switching to biking in a suit awhile back. It seems to work really well for lubricating the chain and keeps grime off of my cuffs (aided, of course, by a decent chainguard).

http://www.ecovelo.info/2011/10/10/chain-waxing-101/

“Remove the chain and strip it using your favorite biodegradable degreaser (my favorite method is to fill an old plastic soda bottle 1/4 of the way with Simple Green, feed the chain in the top, put on the cap, shake like crazy, let it soak for 10 minutes, shake like crazy again, then rinse the chain thoroughly with water).”

I’m already happy

[jabberwocky]

I can vouch that an ultrasonic does indeed get a chain very clean. You need to be very thorough about relubing afterward, because it removes every last speck of lube inside and out. I don’t generally go to that length with chains though; only when they get extremely dirty or they get grit in them that the park cleaner isn’t fully removing.

Ultrasonics are awesome for cassettes. A dunk in some mineral spirits and then 15 minutes in the ultrasonic with some dish soap will have a cassette looking brand new.

[dasgeh]

@83(b) 54224 wrote:

I’ve followed the Eco-Velo guide to chainwaxing since switching to biking in a suit awhile back. It seems to work really well for lubricating the chain and keeps grime off of my cuffs (aided, of course, by a decent chainguard).

http://www.ecovelo.info/2011/10/10/chain-waxing-101/

Ah… this is why my husband wanted me to get a cheap, small crock pot. FYI, if anyone is looking, I paid $3 at a local thrift store.

[GuyContinental]

@KelOnWheels 54203 wrote:

… to get ALL the dirt off a chain?

Instructions for cleaning/lubing your chain always say to just keep wiping the chain until no more dirt comes off… I have never gotten to this point, even with degreaser.

Do these people have an infinite supply of rags or something?

These are the things I ponder at 5:30 AM when I’m cleaning my chain. :confused:

New bike if I’m following things correctly… probably means new chain with factory grease. Sheldon Brown (who gets many more points than I ever will) says it’s the best protectant ever… I can’t stand it. Vile stuff. Attracts filth like nothing else. First thing I do with a new chain is degrease the hell out of it (using a sonic cleaner) and then re-lube with a lube of MY choosing (generally a thin petro lube like Pro-Link).

[rcannon100]

@KelOnWheels 54203 wrote:

Do these people have an infinite supply of rags or something?

Yes. These people are called mechanics. You can buy your infinite supply of rags at an autonmechanic store. You can buy them by the bundle (probably like 20). Or you can buy them by the box.

And if its not obvious, you do not want to leave greasy oil soaked rags around your basement. You might get visited by some other people who have an infinite supply of water coming out of hoses out of fire trucks. Use ’em and toss ’em.

My degreaser of choice…. biodegradable…. vinegar. Works great. I have an infinite supply in my basement (vinegar is cheap – can buy it by the gallon for nothing).

[KLizotte]

@KelOnWheels 54228 wrote:

“Remove the chain and strip it using your favorite biodegradable degreaser (my favorite method is to fill an old plastic soda bottle 1/4 of the way with Simple Green, feed the chain in the top, put on the cap, shake like crazy, let it soak for 10 minutes, shake like crazy again, then rinse the chain thoroughly with water).”

I’m already happy

This sounds like something that requires lots of practice to get it right. You can come over and practice on my bikes any time you want

[KelOnWheels]

@GuyContinental 54231 wrote:

New bike if I’m following things correctly… probably means new chain with factory grease. Sheldon Brown (who gets many more points than I ever will) says it’s the best protectant ever… I can’t stand it. Vile stuff. Attracts filth like nothing else. First thing I do with a new chain is degrease the hell out of it (using a sonic cleaner) and then re-lube with a lube of MY choosing (generally a thin petro lube like Pro-Link).

Yeah, whatever was on there was SUPER sticky. I should give it a good degrease I reckon

[Author]

Posts