Cleaning cassette with disc brakes
10-12-16, 01:37 PM
#1
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Cleaning cassette with disc brakes
On my road bike I simply spray Simple Green on the cassette, let it soak, wipe down the cassette and between the cogs with a rag and then use the air compressor to ensure all the cleaner is off.
But my CX bike has disc brakes and i'm concerned about run off getting on the rotor and possibly contaminating the pads.
The simple solution is to remove the cassette.
Other options?
But my CX bike has disc brakes and i'm concerned about run off getting on the rotor and possibly contaminating the pads.
The simple solution is to remove the cassette.
Other options?
10-13-16, 08:57 AM
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I take the wheel off the bike then use a plastic grocery bag and wrap/cover the rotor while cleaning the cassette. I haven't had any contamination issues cleaning my cassette this way.
10-13-16, 09:15 AM
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Take the rear wheel off, coat cassette in simple green/bike solvent, scrub with brush, spray off with hose, and clean the rotor with rubbing alcohol before putting back on the bike.
10-13-16, 09:36 AM
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I would never spray anything, especially a solvent/cleaner on the cassette. There is a possibility of getting some in the free hub bearings. Don't use any cleaner. Take the wheel off put it on your lap and run a rag between each cog and get most of the dirt out.
It's better to have some uncleaned out gunk way down in the cogs where the chain will never go, than it is to risk a cleaner getting into the bearings. It's very easy to do and fast. If you have a MTB and the thing is totally covered in dirt, take the cassette off if you must get the cogs really clean. Don't spray simple green on anything. Don't spray the wheel with water either. I have a few road bikes with over 10,00 miles on the cogs and chain, this method works perfectly.
It's better to have some uncleaned out gunk way down in the cogs where the chain will never go, than it is to risk a cleaner getting into the bearings. It's very easy to do and fast. If you have a MTB and the thing is totally covered in dirt, take the cassette off if you must get the cogs really clean. Don't spray simple green on anything. Don't spray the wheel with water either. I have a few road bikes with over 10,00 miles on the cogs and chain, this method works perfectly.
10-13-16, 09:51 AM
#6
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I agree with the others; the major issue here is not so much disc contamination as the risk of cleaning agents getting into the free hub. When I clean the rear wheel with the cassette insitu, I don't use anything more aggressive than soap/water and I don't direct any high-pressure water towards the bearings. If I feel I need to use anything more aggressive, I pull the cassette off the hub.
- Mark
- Mark
10-13-16, 01:34 PM
#7
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pffff I spray simple green/one of the clones right on my calipers lol. I also don't worry about a miniscule amount getting into the freehub.
10-13-16, 03:13 PM
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I got sealed bearing back there, After cleaning my chain with the Park Tools rig the cassette gets a scrub down with dish soap and the appropriate brush. then I rag clean the brake disk. At the end a little brake disk cleaner goes on and gets wiped off.
So far, four years now and have never had a contamination problem.
Never had a Free Hub problem.
I get good service out of my chains, cassette, free hubs and brakes, The brakes remain noise free.
So far, four years now and have never had a contamination problem.
Never had a Free Hub problem.
I get good service out of my chains, cassette, free hubs and brakes, The brakes remain noise free.
Last edited by osco53; 10-18-16 at 05:28 AM.
10-13-16, 04:32 PM
#9
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Well, I have almost 11,000 miles on my road bike and never had a problem with the freehub.
The CX bike has Sram Rival so i'll just remove it every now and then to clean. Replacement is much cheaper than the Sram Red on my road bike.
The CX bike has Sram Rival so i'll just remove it every now and then to clean. Replacement is much cheaper than the Sram Red on my road bike.
10-13-16, 05:17 PM
#10
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I only do a full clean the cassette when a new chain is going on, so the simplest method is just to remove it. I think it takes less time to remove it completely and clean it in the sink than any of the other options. This is for a full clean, mind you. Otherwise, it just gets shot with the hose and dried off with the compressor. Brakes have never once complained.
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10-13-16, 05:58 PM
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If you're reluctant to remove the cassette, you should check out the Abbey Bike Tools Crombie and chain whip. They let you remove the cassette without removing the quick release and you won't need to search through your toolbox for three separate tools.
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10-16-16, 10:35 AM
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I use a mix of dishwashing detergent and water (~2 tbls to a 1/2 gallon) in a spray bottle and brush/hose it down (with the chain off). I've been washing my disc braked MTB this way for years and never had any issues with freehub, rotors or pads. I do the same on my 2 year old GG and no problems either.
