SharpStone30888

From the chain/drivetrain the whole seciton of the bike including the chain stays and seattube area are covered in a black greasy mess.

I wash my bike and drivetrain using car wash liquid, and if I move from the drivetrain area to anywhere else, this black grime follows.

I don't know how to get rid of it; degreaser? (which type), WD-40? plain rag and wipe. It makes my bike look crappy when its pretty much still brand new.

veloboy971

Well, I usually keep my bike really clean, so I don't ever usually have to deal with that, when I ever have greasiness on my frame I usually use paper towels or a different rag from the rest of the bike to get just the grease.

rollin

Baby wipes.

mmmdonuts

Use WD-40 to remove it and baby wipes for upkeep.

Steev

Consider a different lube and use less. Especially ensure you wipe the excess off the chain after applying lube.

BOHICA

Simple Green for the clean up and then a good wax based lube for the drive train will keep things clean and running well.

2manybikes

You're not lubing your chain right. Put the lube on, let it sit and soak in for as long as you can, then wipe the chain carefully with a rag before riding. If that still makes a mess use a different lube. Don't wash your chain, just wipe the outside with a rag.

AngryScientist 

too much lube, as mentioned here. use less and wipe the chain down good after you lube, lubricant does no good on the outside of your chain. there are lots of solvents that will remove that, including any degreaser, wd40, mineral spirits.

garethzbarker

You clean the drivetrain and then use the same rag to clean the frame?

Garfield Cat

There might be too much lubricant on the drive train. Then when you ride, the lube becomes a dark grey color. The excessive amounts gets splattered onto the frame, spokes and rim. Incidentally, this is the way, the trial and error way to determine if you are using too much lubricant.

You might have to remove the rear wheel off the bike to get that rear triangle cleaned up. I hang the bike up on hooks that are fastened to the studs of the garage wall. That makes cleaning and changing tires all that much easier. I use a rag, dampen, then spray on a generous amount of cleaner like Simple Green. That will clean the frame. Make sure you rinse out the rag. What you don't want happening is leaving a residue of Simple Green on the frame, spokes and rim. So that rag has to be rinsed out and a wipe off with a clean wet rag need to be done.

Since the rear wheel is off the bike, you need to inspect the rear cassette for grease and gunk build up. I use a Park Took with long brush bristles to clean the large chunks off. I also spray on some Simple Green right onto the rear cassette, then brush and rinse with water from the garden hose. Some claim that applying water directly to the rear hub is a recipe for disaster to the hub's inners. But I do not apply water pressure and try to keep the wheel slanted so that it minimizes any water flow towards the hub.

The two pulleys are small and I clean them with the rag soaked with Simple Green. Then I rinse the rag and wipe the pulleys.

I use two products for the chain. The lighter lube acts as a cleaner and lube and the other lube is a bit heavier. I don't use WD40, even though it could act as a cleaner. I use an industrial type lube called LPS 1. This lube alone acts pretty good. But it doesn't really deliver any long lasting lubrication. Therefore, I use Boeshield T-9.

The key is how I use these two products to keep the drive train clean and at the same time to avoid over lubricating.

carpediemracing 

I find that my drivetrain gets dirty no matter what lube I use. It's a matter of keeping it clean, which sometimes means cleaning the drivetrain weekly or even more frequently. I have to admit that when it's winter I tend to wash the drivetrain less since icy greasy water on the driveway is usually a bad thing. Plus it's cold outside.

https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...lustrated.html
https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...your-bike.html

Basically car wash will wash off dirt and slightly oily stuff. You need solvent/degreaser to get rid of the stuff that has more oil in it (like lube).

If you use Simple Green or another water soluble degreaser, rinse well.

Hope this helps,
cdr

clausen

Clean/lube chain. throw rag out
GET NEW CLEAN cloth and clean frame. I only use soap and water if the frame is Paris Roubaix muddy. Usually wipe with furniture polish/cleaner.

Velo Dog

Second the motion for furniture polish--you can buy a can of fake Lemon Pledge in dollar stores for a buck and it works as well as anything. Actually I don't keep my bikes any cleaner than they have to be, but back when I did, that's what I used.
As for the source of the problem, there are plenty of excellent chain lubes out there that work great, wipe off the outside easily and don't hold dirt or sling off onto the frame. I've been using ProLink for a year or so and I'm happy with it. Application is the key: As somebody else said, it doesn't do any good on the outside of the chain. Flow it on as thick as you want, but then rotate the chain backward to spread it and wipe the whole thing down with a towel or rag as you spin the pedals backward.

SharpStone30888

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Hmm, the general consensus is that I am using too much lube/or not wiping it all off. I use triflow, drip it on as I turn the crank backwards. Then shift through the gears, then wipe off. Then repeat a few times.

Taking the rear wheel off sounds like a good idea. hmm, thinking how I could still keep the bike upright.... no hooks, or ropes or stand, hmmm.

mechBgon

If you use Tri-Flow, try applying just a minimal amount directly to the rollers and where the inner & outer plates swivel, link by link.


Wipe it down thoroughly when you've made a complete circuit of the chain. If you happen to ride mostly in dry conditions, try Rock & Roll's gold chain lube for a change, too. It runs quite clean.

doctor j

I have used GOOP hand cleaner successfully. Place a dab of GOOP on the greasy area, and rub it in very gently with your finger. Let it stand for 15 or 20 minutes. Wipe the area with a rag, and the grease should be gone. This product does not damage paint or CF. GOOP does not contain any abrasives. I would not suggest using any of the hand cleaners with abrasives.

SharpStone30888

Got some spray degreaser, degreased the hell out of the chain and cassette, whole drivetrain area. Flossed the casette Wiped the frame down with a damp (degreaser) rag. Washed of with water. Been siting in the hot sun for about an hour.

May go out soon and lube the chain and pivot points on the derailleurs. hmmm, looks like a storm forcast this evening, may not do that metric century

RacerOne

I've picked up a few tips here.. thanks!

SharpStone30888

I just realised that I have never posted any photos of my bike since I got it in August.

Here is a shot I just took in my room. The bike usually lives in the guest room so that it doesn't get in the way.

hmm, I don't know how to add the photo. I've got a file on my desktop of the photo. When I try add image it says enter URL, what?

Basil Moss

Wash it off. And use less lube next time.

rollin

Click the insert image icon (the one that looks like a photo in the quick reply box) then select "from computer" tab

SharpStone30888

hmm, there is no 'from computer' tab in the insert image thing. It might be coz I run safari, hmm.

garethzbarker

whatever, the dog is pretty cool anyway

SharpStone30888

lol, yea can't be bothered anymore. Yea thats my old dog, she passed away last November, its a great pic of her though.