Mountain Biking - Chain Problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, Ive got a GT Avalanche 3.0 and when i bought the bike, it had factory lubricant on all the chain and spockets, and after a week of having the bike, I put my own TF2 lubricant over the factory. STUPID ME!!!! what ive heard is thats a big problem. When i go into 5th gear it feels really gritty, i think this is from what i did. Can anyone tell me if this is the problem, and if so, how can i take the chain off the bike (its not a powerlink)

Thanx

Probably...that would definately cause issues. Taking the chain off requires a chain removal tools.

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQchnRe.shtml

Clean it properly and put some lube on. Also remember to clean out the cogs on the cassette as well. Another idea would be to clean the derailuer. If you still have problems it may be a symptom of worn chain or cassette

Get Lennard Zinn's "Zinn & The Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance" and you'll get the answer to this and all your MTB maintenance questions. A very thorough and readable book (as is his road bike book). If you have questions that are not answered in his books you can simply send him an e-mail and get the answer. He is very good at responding. And his books are great.

Goto your local hardware store and get a jug or spray bottle of "Oil Eater" (comes in a white jug with a red label).

Spary some of that on your chain, let it soak for a few.. then lightly hose it off with a spray mist from your garden hose. It'll pull every last DROP of the crap outta the chain.

It's what I've been using on my chains for about a year & a half now... I've been trying to avoid those heavily overpriced $10 bottles of "degreaser" from the bike shop when a GALLON of this stuff costs like $5.00. It works too..

then after it dries (or you can blow it dry with an air-compressor.. which is what I do) then apply a good 5-7 drops of lube throughout the chain... spin the cogs a little while, and whipe off the excess lube.


Enjoy

Chain needs to be cleaned.