Originally Posted by
Hydrated
+1
I think of that every time I see one of these chain cleaning threads.
It amuses me when people swear that doing this thing or that thing will irreparably wreck your chain. C'mon folks... a bicycle chain is not exactly high tech gear. It's a consumable item that's going to wear out, no matter what you do.
Maintenance is simple:
Remove chain.
Swish it in some mineral spirits until clean.
Dry it.
Lube it.
Install it.
Quit obsessing over your chain.
Just for curiosity... why exactly should we never ever remove our chain for cleaning?
The theory is that cleaning in solvent will remove the lube (especially the factory lube) deep inside the chain. When you put it back on the bike, it takes a while for the new lube to penetrate the chain and you damage the chain by essentially running it temporarily with little or no lube.
The wipe method I use leaves the chain visually clean and working perfectly.
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1