Show us your cleaned drive train
#1
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Show us your cleaned drive train
After reading all of the posts on here recommending how to clean a chain, cassette, etc., and realizing my drive train desperately needed some cleaning, I did a bit of cleaning last night.
I also thought I'd start a thread so others can show the efforts of their work too. Cheers.
I also thought I'd start a thread so others can show the efforts of their work too. Cheers.

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Just the chain, but I was blown away at how well the Park chain cleaner works. I always thought these were for lazy people who didn't want to take their chains off to clean them properly, but the first time I used it, I was shocked. The chain was a complete and total mess of grease and gunk, and in just a few minutes running it through the cleaner, this is what came out.

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@cthenn you might have convinced me to purchase the Park chain cleaner...
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Just the chain, but I was blown away at how well the Park chain cleaner works. I always thought these were for lazy people who didn't want to take their chains off to clean them properly, but the first time I used it, I was shocked. The chain was a complete and total mess of grease and gunk, and in just a few minutes running it through the cleaner, this is what came out.
Actually, that's a pret-ty nice result...
#6
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That park chain cleaner works really really well IMO. I bought one last year after reading some reviews and was also pleased with the results. I don't know how some of you guys keep your drivetrains so clean unless you wash extensively after every ride. I wash and lube every 200-300 miles which works out to being about every 2 or 3 weeks.
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Damn @cthenn... that looks like you cleaned, flossed and polished that chain. Ordering a Park chain cleaner in 3... 2...
Cleaned the old fashion way:

I like Simple Green's bike degreaser - it's foamy so it doesn't run as quickly... probably better for bearings, etc... probably
Cleaned the old fashion way:

I like Simple Green's bike degreaser - it's foamy so it doesn't run as quickly... probably better for bearings, etc... probably

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No Park Chain Cleaner or special solvents. Entire bike is wiped down after every ride. I use a Connex chain so I can remove by hand, clean, relube and reinstall. Chain is pulled though my hand using a rag/t-shirt to get big gunk off, then run through my hand in a clean t-shirt and some rubbing alcohol. No need to deliberately degrease chain unless I do something like 100 miles in wet/crappy conditions. The rest of the drive train is wiped down using a clean t-shirt and rubbing alcohol (floss cassette, rings, pully wheels). Discs are wiped down with alcohol. Process takes 30 minutes. Bike stays looking like this I put on average 500 miles a month on it.
Last edited by jadocs; 06-04-19 at 01:42 PM.
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#12
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It's the inside of the chain that needs cleaning the most. Wiping off the outside does little. A park chain cleaner leaves the chain swimming in dirty solvent, unless the whole process is done at least twice.
If you want a really clean chain, drop it in a bottle of mineral spirits and shake vigorously. Repeat with clean solvent.
If you want a really clean chain, drop it in a bottle of mineral spirits and shake vigorously. Repeat with clean solvent.
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I dunno, never heard that before, but it seems to not do that...
I use a two step process, first wiping the chain down with a degreaser soaked rag, to get off most of the external gunk, then run the chain cleaner with undiluted Simple Green (a gallon just is less than $10 at HD). Chain comes out sparkling clean every time, and it doesn't feel like there's gunk or grit lodged inside. Also, it seems important to use the Park brand version of this. I haven't personally used the generic versions, but from things I've read, this is one time where the brand name item is superior. I will note, that I've used it probably 10 times or less, and some of the brushes are already fraying slightly. I think they sell replacement parts, but it seems to be starting to show wear already...

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Wipe down chain - Park chain cleaner with solvent - Park Chain cleaner with water - Dry - Lube and let sit overnight before wiping off.
In between degreasing I like a lube that you can add and wipe that cleans at the same time like rock and roll gold, but right now I am using Morgan Blue race oil and liking it.
In between degreasing I like a lube that you can add and wipe that cleans at the same time like rock and roll gold, but right now I am using Morgan Blue race oil and liking it.
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#18
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Too late. My bike had its annual cleaning last month, and I've ridden since then.
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Wow. I’m going to sub to this thread and then go hide in a corner. I’m not worthy...
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It's the inside of the chain that needs cleaning the most. Wiping off the outside does little. A park chain cleaner leaves the chain swimming in dirty solvent, unless the whole process is done at least twice.
If you want a really clean chain, drop it in a bottle of mineral spirits and shake vigorously. Repeat with clean solvent.
If you want a really clean chain, drop it in a bottle of mineral spirits and shake vigorously. Repeat with clean solvent.
Last edited by jadocs; 06-04-19 at 08:55 PM.
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#25
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Cleaning a chain once every 1500 miles is pretty much worthless too.