Bicycle Mechanics - What should a clean chain look like?

Well, maybe I'm asking question that's been answered a million times before. To tell the truth I didn't do a search . . .

Ok, so I've had this MTB for about six weeks, and I'm getting the idea that I should be cleaning the whole transmission system maybe once a week (I ride about 12~15 hours a week). Till now I haven't actually wiped the chain or anything, I've just sprayed on some normal household-use oil I found in the garage.

But if I actually wipe it down and take care of it, should it not be black? I mean, should a properly cared-for chain be silver?

Ermm... you sprayed oil on your chain? You'll probably want to use some sort of bicycle specific lube i.e prolink, tri-flow etc.

A clean chain should look...umm....clean?

Seriously though...if you can read the lettering on the side of the chain without rubbing it...its clean enough.

household oil, being a wet product, attracts dirt and dust. The capillary action of the liquid then draws this dirt into the bushings of the chain, increasing wear. It also gunks up your entire drivetrain. A better idea would be something like Finish Line dry formula, or ProLink, which have a liquid carrier that evaporates. This way the lubricants are carried into the internal surfaces of the chain, and coat the outside of the links. But since the liquid base disappears, nothing but a film of teflon based lubricant is left on the chain. To clean the gunk you already have, you can use Simple Green or any other solvent, including WD-40, which should NEVER be used as a lubricant, and a small brush- nail brush or even and old toothbrush work well. Spray on whole drivetrain, being careful not to spray directly into any bearings, scrub, rinse off, again being careful about the bearings. Let dry and then lube with proper stuff, wiping off any excess- spray chain while moving pedals backwards, let sit for a few minutes, then hold a rag around the bottom run of chain, and pedal back again to remove excess.

Clean chain should look like the one sold at the store but it doesn't have to be that way on the bikes that you frequently use. In my opinion, as long as the chain doesn't make noise and work smoothly, it's a good chain. Besides weekly lublication, I dip it in paint thinner once in a while in a container like a jelly jar, it comes out looking like brand new.
I have used WD-40 for many years for the purpose of partial cleaning and lublication at once and have been very happy with it. I haven't had negative effect yet. I have tried one bike specific lublicant and didn't get a good impression. The experience made me skeptical of those expensive lublicants.
All my opinions are based on my road bike. MTB chains may require different care.

Cool, thanks for the info. I'm gonna go to a bike store today and pick up some of that ProLink and give it a try, after wiping off my entire transmission with Simple Green.

Pretty clean, eh?

Depends on the chain finish. Some are silver, some are black, and I've seen some with a brass-like finish.

Clean the drivetrain once a week. Lube it with the chain lube of your choice. About twice a year, have it tuned up.

Cool, I cleaned off all the household oil, and sprayed it with water, then threw on some ProLink stuff. Hmm, and you know it actually seems to have made a difference. Now the shifting is a bit smoother on the rear derailler.

Clean chain should look like the one sold at the store but it doesn't have to be that way on the bikes that you frequently use. In my opinion, as long as the chain doesn't make noise and work smoothly, it's a good chain. Besides weekly lublication, I dip it in paint thinner once in a while in a container like a jelly jar, it comes out looking like brand new.
I have used WD-40 for many years for the purpose of partial cleaning and lublication at once and have been very happy with it. I haven't had negative effect yet. I have tried one bike specific lublicant and didn't get a good impression. The experience made me skeptical of those expensive lublicants.
All my opinions are based on my road bike. MTB chains may require different care.


If your satisfied with WD-40 then use it. But I was told early on by the superiors that WD-40 does lube the chain as much as it cleans it. You'd be better off with a chain lube. I prefer Pedro's Ice Wax.