General Cycling Discussion - Cleaning the chain?

My chain is real black and needs a good clean, it doesn't squeak at all its just that I'd like it to be the original silver colour. I haven't got a chain cleaner so I've been using an old toothbrush with washing-up liquid. From reading the forums I now know that this can damage the chain.

The problem with the toothbrush method is that it is ineffective when the chain is on the bike. So I've bought Pedro's Ice Wax and some degreaser, and hope this will allow me to do a decent job.

Basically what I'm trying to get at is, if I take the chain of so I can soak it overnight in degreaser, can I use the same pin from the chain which was taken out to get the chain off (make sense).

I also bought a powerlink but don't really understand its use, I mean do you put it on the chain so that is easier to take the chain off for cleaning, or is it used for when you take the chain off and want to reattach, or something else entirely?

Thanks in advance, Portent.

Originally posted by Portent
....snip....., can I use the same pin from the chain which was taken out to get the chain off (make sense).

I also bought a powerlink but don't really understand its use, I mean do you put it on the chain so that is easier to take the chain off for cleaning, or is it used for when you take the chain off and want to reattach, or something else entirely?

Thanks in advance, Portent. Reusing the pin is NOT a good idea on Shi*No chains as they use a "step riveting" process that spot will be weaker than the rest of the chain and prone to breaking. As for the powerlink: Yes all of the above.

From reading the forums I now know that this can damage the chain.


Ohmygawd!!
Somebody actually does an item search???

Imagine that!

I break my shimano chain on my commuter all the time to clean it. 2700 miles so far, no breaks. I don't however break my shimano on the mountain bike, since it sees more abuse and more severe torque at times. That being said, I am going to by SRAM for my next replacements anyway.

You do however use the replacement rivet instead of reusing the old one right?

i take it to the presure wash and spray it down real good, take care not to mess with anyother parts. then i dry it and lube it immidately

This is just an idea, others might not like it.

I bet some acetone or gasoline would work really well. Of course if you get any on plastic parts it could/would damage them.

Acetone can often be found in nail polish remover.

CranialCrusader

I like the Powerlink, because it enables you to get the chain off quickly and immerse it in solvent. While the chain is off, you can more easily clean the cassette with a toothbrush and a rag. The Powerlink is much faster thaan using a chain tool to break a link and get the chain off.

i've never taken the chain off to clean it. the real trick is applying your choice of lube. a technique that places emphysis on the part of the chain that actually touches the cogs is the best. i take an old sock, make a chain cleaning puppet on my hand (wierd, huh?) put the bike on a stand, spin and clean. a shoelace dipped in degreaser to floss the cassette and i am set.

. a shoelace dipped in degreaser to floss the cassette and i am set

Why did I never think of that!!!!! That has to be the tip of the year for me !!!