Road Cycling - New bike chain question

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TriDevil
09-09-03, 10:03 PM
I remember seeing a little while ago, can't find it, a thread about what to do about the facotry grease/oil on new chains. Do shops take this off only on request? Should I ask them to? If they dont how do I eventually get it off? Just wears off then start lubing?

RD Warrior
09-10-03, 07:16 AM
Hey Tridevil,I removed my chain and soaked it in acetone.Let dry,apply Boeshield T9.Best way I've found.
shokhead
09-10-03, 08:04 AM
It wears off.

Cyclepath
09-10-03, 10:35 AM
Acetone is highly toxic & best avoided. Paint thinner will do just as well without as much health & environmental hazard. You can submerge the chain, let dry overnight & relube, or just wipe off the excess grease with a clean rag wetted down with paint thinner.

Best done outside or in a fan-ventilated space. Wear rubber gloves & goggles.
OregonBound
09-10-03, 11:34 AM
Full strength Simple Green or most citrus based degreasers will take it off.

Paul
TriDevil
09-10-03, 11:57 AM
Could I ask the shop to do this for me? Is removing the factory grease a must do, a should do, or personal preference?
Cyclepath
09-10-03, 12:08 PM
Tri, it's not a must but the excess grease will quickly pick up a lot of crud & also transfer it to your gears, chainrings, & pulleys, leaving you with a bigger cleanup job down the road.

I don't know if your LBS would accept such a minor job - you can ask them. But note, any "roadie for life" is expected to at least clean his/her own chain.:->

I don't like the proprietary degreasers/detergents. They are more environmentally friendly but then you have to remove them with water, getting a head start on rusting your chain.
F1_Fan
09-10-03, 02:12 PM
OK here's the easy way. Don't remove your chain... that's just nuts and potentially creates a weak spot. Given the stress on chains and the diaster of breking one in a sprint I prefer to only remove the chain when it's absolutely necessary.

Get a rag and spray it with WD-40. Before the solvents evaporate grab/rub the chain and backpedal. Repeat as necessary.

Oil the chain with any good chain oil (I like Pedro's) and ride.

The residual packing grease inside the links will work its way out so a second cleaning and oiling wouldn't be a bad idea after a few weeks.