City Guy

Greetings from a newbie, back cycling after many years.

Great information here, so much to learn. I have a question about chain cleaning. I have an 11 speed Trek road bike and the Shimano Ultegra chain really needs a thorough cleaning. I have really been riding a lot this spring.

I looked at the Park Tool video demonstrating their chain cleaning device, which looks well designed and useful. However, it seems to me that it may be better to remove the chain and clean it in a container filled with degreaser/cleaner of choice. This would require removing a chain pin, and after the cleaning and lube, the chain could be installed and reconnected using a KMC missing link. Seems a lot easier to me.

So, are there any disadvantages to "breaking" the chain and reinstalling using one of the KMC Missing Link connectors or equivalent. Would the chain become more failure prone? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

xenologer

MasterLinks are re-usable
and are a more reliable way to rejoin a chain than re-pressing a pin.

nfmisso

soaking a chain removes the factory applied grease, which is impossible to re-apply without taking the chain completely apart - and no-one but the factory has the capability and tooling to re-assemble.

Best practice is to thoroughly clean the chain with a clean shop rag, then apply the lubricant of your choice, run the drivetrain through all the gears, and wipe down with a second clean shop rag.

HerrKaLeun

+1000

I had the Park tool, totally messy and not sure it actually cleaned the pins (the part that actually wears). I also once soaked in a jar. I assume it got all dirt out. But also got the grease out from the pins. I tried to re-lube a lot. But ultimately you would have to soak it in oil to re-lube at the part that actually needs lube.

Even if this whole cleaning would help: if you add the cost for cleaner and excessive oil you need to re-lube, you could just buy chains more often. Not even counting your time.

Clean and re-lube like nfmisso suggested frequently and you have the least work, long chain life and lowest cost.

Doug64

You don't repress the pins on Shimano chains. A new pin is needed; don't ask me how I know

noglider 

Soaking a chain in a container such as a glass peanut butter jar can work well, depending on the nature of the dirt. If it's grimy but not too grimy, the solvent can encourage the grime to fall off, leaving a fairly bare chain. Then you have an opportunity to oil it.

But sometimes there's so much grit that you can't get it out, and whether you clean it or don't, it's going to wear out. When my chain gets like that, even if it's not worn out, I replace it, because there's only so much I'm willing to do on my chain.

Generally I just add oil and wipe with a rag.

I like heavy oils such as Chain-L, since they go on easily and stick around a long time.

City Guy

Greetings all,

And a huge thanks, you all provided some very useful information. I was not aware that the chain had grease applied at the factory.

Seems like the simplest method will be the most effective: wipe with a rag to clean, lube, wipe with rag.

noglider 

Yes, that's about it. There are eternal debates about which lube is best. Basically, nearly anything will work. The thinner it is, the more often you should apply it.