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What can I use to clean my chain rings and cassette?

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What can I use to clean my chain rings and cassette?

Old 11-26-15, 06:59 AM
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Many of these suggestions appear to be more difficult and less effective than removing the cassette which is very easy to do. I remove the cassette from the rear wheel and immediately put a tie wrap through it to keep it in order. With the cassette off of the wheel your cleaning options are wide open. I realize that the OP stated "without taking them all apart."
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Old 11-26-15, 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by nfmisso
If it is a cassette - pull it off the wheel, and run it through the dish washer on the top shelf. Chain rings can go on the bottom. Take it easy on the dishwasher soap.
You're single.
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Old 11-26-15, 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Ronsonic
You're single.
no, our 16th anniversary was this past summer. I have a very understanding wife.
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Old 11-26-15, 10:27 AM
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Call me old-school but I can't picture using Simple Green for cleaning moving parts. It's not simple, due to the need to avoid contamination, and it's not green, because the rinse water is contaminated by petrochemicals anyway, and fresh water is no longer an infinitely renewable resource in all parts of the country. For leaning a cassette on the bike I think WD-40 is fine - enough kerosene in it to loosen things up, but mineral spirits will work a bit better. I would spray it, let it sit for a while, brush with a bit more solvent and then clean off with a shop rag or similar (the mop suggestion looks good).
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Old 11-26-15, 10:34 AM
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I like to lick it clean. Honestly, if there's one subject that everyone can be correct about, it is cleaning your chain.
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Old 11-26-15, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by cale
I like to lick it clean. Honestly, if there's one subject that everyone can be correct about, it is cleaning your chain.
Back in basic training, we used to take the M-16s into the shower with us at the end of the day. It got rid of the dust and grit, but you still had to use bore cleaner on the insides. Then you oiled it. We didn't own the rifles, and we weren't depending on them to be in perfect working order. Just clean, so you could turn them in.

There were parts that you couldn't disassemble. I doubt that they were completely dry when stored, kind of like the pins and rollers in a chain that's been "de-greased" with a water-soluble cleaner.
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Old 11-27-15, 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by nfmisso
no, our 16th anniversary was this past summer. I have a very understanding wife.
Congratulations!!!!! Ya done good.
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Old 11-27-15, 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Phlorida
With the cassette off of the wheel your cleaning options are wide open. I realize that the OP stated "without taking them all apart."
Didja know .... you can fill one of those cheap ultrasonic cleaners from harbor freight with mineral spirits and it won't (IME, don't try this at home, I'm a professional abuser of equipment, etc.) blow up. And it will clean the heck out of greasy, grimy metal parts.
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Old 11-27-15, 10:04 PM
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Small pieces of corrugated cardboard also work well as cassette floss. Cheap too.
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