11 Speed Chain Maintenace
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,926
Likes: 253
From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
11 Speed Chain Maintenace
After riding about 200 mile on my"new" built up Serotta with campy it is time for some chain maintenance. I really prefer to remove the chain and clean it in mineral spirits then re-install and lube. But this will ot be practical with the Campy 11 speed chain.
SO what are you guys doing for 11 speed chain maintenance?
SO what are you guys doing for 11 speed chain maintenance?
#3
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,320
Likes: 6,605
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Depending on your riding style and terrain and weather, you might be able to flush dirt out with frequent lubrication. I've had pretty good luck using ATF. My car mechanic tells me that ATF is designed to hold particles in suspension, i.e. away from solid surfaces.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Unless money is no object, don't even think of using a new Campy connector for each removal/ installation and absolutely don't reuse the same pin. The KMC master link referred to by Shimagnolo is one viable option or, better yet, clean the chain without removing it.
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,926
Likes: 253
From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Has anyone had any experience with using a KMC Master link with a Campy 11 speed chain?
#6
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,320
Likes: 6,605
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
This is crazy stuff. All this extra care to have a few more gears? I think I'll stick with 8-speed and similar. The new stuff is so cantankerous.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#8
#9
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin, CA
Bikes: Trek Domane, Soma Smoothie, Surly Big Dummy/Pacer/KM/Ogre, and a revolving collection of vintage stuff
#10
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
It's a road bike so the chain shouldn't need that much service. Dry wipe it to remove as much loose stuff as possible, then lube it with whatever you prefer. Be aware that many of the after market lubes aren't nearly as good as what Campy uses, so you might want to wait a bit longer before using a solvent laden oil.
If you have an ultrasonic cleaner you can thoroughly wash the chain while it' still on the bike. Slip it off the cranks, and let it dangle from the chainstay and wash half the chain. Then advance it and wash the other half. Let it dry completely before oiling it.
If you have an ultrasonic cleaner you can thoroughly wash the chain while it' still on the bike. Slip it off the cranks, and let it dangle from the chainstay and wash half the chain. Then advance it and wash the other half. Let it dry completely before oiling it.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#11
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Park's on the chain cleaner devise, and their cleaning fluid; is convenient,
to use frequently.. a good shop tool..
myself , I use an IGH and use the 8 speed [and less] chain..
For Derailleurs, for myself, I got off the trend bandwagon at 7.
to use frequently.. a good shop tool..
myself , I use an IGH and use the 8 speed [and less] chain..
For Derailleurs, for myself, I got off the trend bandwagon at 7.
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-19-12 at 01:42 AM.
#12
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
7-speed indexing downtube shifters
7-speed brifters
8-speed brifters
9-speed brifters
10-speed brifters
From 7-speed on it was all Shimano and the 10-speed stuff is both Shimano and Campy. Along the way my rain bike saw 8-speed barends, Kelly Take-Offs and the Retroshifts now on it.
The upshot of all of this is that each step "up" was no more difficult to install or adjust then the one before it and no more trouble prone or unreliable. I may never get to 11-speed because of the cost and, as you say, at some point, more gears serve no purpose but 10-speed has been just fine.
#14
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Whether you find that added gearing options is worth the extra dough or not depends on where you live and how you ride. If you live in the plains or along the east coast and ride in flat to lightly rolling terrain 7s or 8s is fine. OTOH if you ride long distances on the road, and/or live in very hilly areas, you'll appreciate every added gearing option.
In any case saying "I'll stick with 8s" is fine, but you may not have any choice in the matter. Eventually parts wear out and top quality 8s is no longer being made. I'm currently riding 7s freewheels on my commuter, and concerned about my future options. Some time soon my rear rim will wear through, and I'll need to decide whether to rebuild on the same hubs, or do an unnecessary and expensive "upgrade" to cassette system with 8s or 9s.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#15
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 7
Depending on your riding style and terrain and weather, you might be able to flush dirt out with frequent lubrication. I've had pretty good luck using ATF. My car mechanic tells me that ATF is designed to hold particles in suspension, i.e. away from solid surfaces.
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,643
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
In any case saying "I'll stick with 8s" is fine, but you may not have any choice in the matter. Eventually parts wear out and top quality 8s is no longer being made. I'm currently riding 7s freewheels on my commuter, and concerned about my future options. Some time soon my rear rim will wear through, and I'll need to decide whether to rebuild on the same hubs, or do an unnecessary and expensive "upgrade" to cassette system with 8s or 9s.
#18
Gone Biking!

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 156
Likes: 55
From: Indiana
Bikes: Cannnondale T2 Tandem, Yamaha Cross Core, Trek Damone+.
Is this about how to take care of an 11 speed chain or a debate on if 11 is too many gears to have? I have had a 11 speed chain since early in the year. Have 3300 miles on it and have not taken it off the bicycle yet. I lube it with a high quality lube and wipe the side plates dry. By wiping the side plates dry I remove any grime or junk. This is the same technique I have used since I started with 5 speeds years ago. For me there is no need to break the chain down.
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,660
Likes: 177
After riding about 200 mile on my"new" built up Serotta with campy it is time for some chain maintenance. I really prefer to remove the chain and clean it in mineral spirits then re-install and lube. But this will ot be practical with the Campy 11 speed chain.
SO what are you guys doing for 11 speed chain maintenance?
SO what are you guys doing for 11 speed chain maintenance?
https://draco.nac.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/8d.2.html
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cooldollar
Bicycle Mechanics
3
02-23-10 04:31 AM





