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Old 05-27-07, 06:28 PM
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mlh122
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NW
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Bikes: Trek 4500

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I just cleaned mine too. I have 2 main methods for drivetrain

quick:
1) with bike leaned up against something that allows pedals to turn, spray drivetrain with lots of wd-40
2)brush cogs and chain and chainwheels while pedaling backwards
3)spray lots of wd-40 again
4) repeat until clean to your liking
5) dry with towel or let air dry
6) lube with bike lubricant

thorough:
1) turn bike upside down
2) remove rear wheel and chain
3) spray cogs with lots of wd-40 and let sit
4) soak chain in jar of simple green or gasoline, wd-40, or whatever degreaser you like (shake/stir for faster cleaning)
5)while chain and cogs are soaking, spray chainwheels with wd-40 and scrub /repeat until clean
6)spray cogs again and let soak a little more, then start spraying and scrubbing while turning the cogs backwards until clean.
7)wipe degreaser off all parts and reinstall
8) lube

using the quick method my drivetrain is clean and smooth for quite a while. using the thorough method i can see my reflection in the cogs
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