Mountain Biking - Sand in chain

Just dropped my bike off at shop, appears that I could just have fair sized sand pebbles stuck in the chain. I might get lucky and only have to get a regular tune-up, though I really feel that the performance was down in the last few rides and that something wasnt right. Hopefully its not just me, I should be able to pick it up on Monday.

Clean your chain regularly....otherwise the grit will grind your rings\cluster to crap.
I do it after any mud\sand fouls the drive.
Including cleaning out the derailer, flossing between the cogs and rings.

G-luck.

Here we go again:

Repost of the chain cleaning method that's been posted a gazillion times already by me


You'll need a few things.
A SRAM power link (makes chain removal a snap)
A plastic container (I'm partial to Country Time Lemonade powder containers but 20 ox Pepsi bottles work well with the wide mouth)
Some degreaser (Simple Green works well as does the dollar store's Awesome Orange))
A toothbrush (One that you no longer use for your teeth)
Water
A large rag of some kind
Remove the chain and place it in the container, then fill the container 1/2 to 3/4 full of degreaser.

Seal and shake for a minute or five.

Remove the chain.

Use the brush to get any residual gunk off (there won't be much)

Rinse the chain using water.

Proceed to do a general drying of the chain using the towel (It doesn't have to be perfect as you'll let the rest air dry.)

Reinstall and relube the dry chain
As for chain lube I've been using Boeshield T-9 for a little while now and I've been impressed with it.

Just don't soak the chain in Simple Green for too long: http://www.velonews.com/tech/report/articles/9216.0.html

you only need a little degreasing fluid in the 2 liter pop bottle, shake it, wash it, dry it, lube it and your done.... that's what she said