Bicycle Mechanics - Help a noob. 2 easy questions.

Hi there,

I've got two possibly stupid questions: :D

1. What's the best way to clean chain while it's still on the bike - without using one of those chain cleaner thingies.....

2. Hubs. Just by riding a bike, how does hub quality affect the quality of the ride.

Excuse my ignorance, but these things have been bothering me for a long time, and basically, I'd just like to know.... :rolleyes:

Thanks in advance for any responses.
p.s. I've already searched the forums.... :p

1. What's the best way to clean chain while it's still on the bike - without using one of those chain cleaner thingies..

A quick way is just to give the chain a good spray with WD40 and then clean the chain with a rag. WD40 is not a good chain lube however so it would be a good idea to then apply your favourite chain lube afterwards.

Personally, I detest WD-40.

I prefer to saturate the chain with a bio-degreaser. I use Pedro's products, but something like Simple Green works as well. I then take a clean rag and loosely wrap the chain with the rag in my hand between the jockey pulleys on the rear derailleur and the chainrings and back peddle until the chain is clean.

If the chain is really grimmy, I'll scrub on section at a time with the degreaser saturated rag, wiping each of the sideplates of the chain.

I then rinse the drivetrain with a hose.

I'll let it dry overnight and then lube it the next day. If you don't let the chain dry sufficiently, you'll trap water in between the links/rollers as you lube it.

There is an easier way. It's called a Sram Power-link. It's a master link for your chain. I remove the chain off the bike. Drop it into a 2-liter bottle filled with degreaser, tighten cap, soak for 10-15 mins, then agitate. Remove chain, wipe down with a cloth and hang to dry.

L8R

Regarding the hubs.

Smoother rolling hubs equals less rolling resistance which in turn equals more speed.

Also, higher cost hubs sometimes/usually equals sealed bearings which equals less maintanence.

Hi there,

I've got two possibly stupid questions: :D

1. What's the best way to clean chain while it's still on the bike - without using one of those chain cleaner thingies.....



ok, what i do with my chain: i have a can of aerosol pedro's extra dry chain lube. after a ride, i spray the chain with the pedro's. it seems to have some evaporative solvent in it. while its still wet, i turn the crank and run the chain thru a clean rag until its dry and clean. voila, i have a clean, lubed chain ready for the next ride.

hope that helps some :)

-- michael

1.Put bike in stand or somehow off the ground. Then fully saturate each link with Simple Green. THe force of the spray will drive out some grit if you spray each link/roller.

2. Let chain soak for 10 minutes, then use some form of a scrub brush to press firmly against the chain/cassette/rings while you pedal the bike. THis will loosen much of the debris. THen hold chain with dry rag while pedaling. Repeat as needed until chain appears clean.

3. Sometimes i also use an air compressor to blow out the grit from the chain. Use care not to blow into hubs or other bearing type areas. Blow in outward direction.

4. Once chain is dry, relube.

Ive just started running two chains. When one is dirty I remove it (with a SRAM master link), and put it in a jar of solvent. I take the clean chain and put it on. This separates the cleaning time from your bike maintenance time. Often, I really dont feel like cleaning a chain, and let it get dirty which wears the transmission more quickly. Two chains seems to be a good solution for the lazy/busy cyclist.
Hubs make less difference than you might imagine. With cup and cone bearings, there is a lot of tolerance. If you fit good quality ball bearings and keep them well adjusted, then even lowish end hubs will spin well. They will be heavier, less well sealed and the cones will wear out more quickly.
I defy anyone to tell Dura-Ace from Altus from a blind-tasting ride.

<snip?

There is an easier way. It's called a SRAM Power-link. It's a master link for your chain. I remove the chain off the bike. Drop it into a 2-liter bottle filled with degreaser, tighten cap, soak for 10-15 mins, then agitate. Remove chain, wipe down with a cloth and hang to dry.

L8RI do it similarly, but I prefer using a 29 oz Country Time Lemonade container as the the wider opening at the top makes removal of the chain easier. As an added bonus, the lid makes a great small parts washer for bearings and the like.

You can't really clean a chain while it's still on the bike - it will always pick up more gunk from the derailleur pulleys and chainrings. (I'm also an SRAM fan so this is a non-issue for me).

I sometimes spray some Triflow into a clean cloth and grab the chain for a few revolutions to get the nasties off and apply a little lube (When I'm lazy and putting off a cleaning for one more ride).