Originally Posted by
rousseau
Numerous people in this thread appear to be cleaning their chains with water after degreasing with a chain cleaner. That's interesting. How exactly are you washing the chain? With soap, sponge and bucket? Or are you putting water into the chain cleaner and running the chain through it again?
I've never washed any part of a bike with water in my life. After using the citrus degreaser on my chain I wipe it down with a shop towel and let it dry for a couple of hours before going back and applying the lube to it.
Am I doing it wrong?
The citrus degreaser is water soluble. In effect it is a detergent. You just rinse it off with water from a hose. No soap necessary.
Based on "training" BITD with steel bikes and unsealed bearings I too have never taken soap and water to my bikes, even as they have become more impervious. I wipe my frames with a dry rag or a rag wet with Windex if necessary. When a drivetrain part screams for a cleanup, I remove it and use a rag. Petroleum solvent only when absolutely necessary. The soapy brush thing is totally outside of my experience.