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Chain cleaning

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Old 12-10-05 | 10:32 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by 55/Rad
Screw the pins. Here's what you need. Either the SRAM:



Or the Wipperman:

+1
Removing and reinserting pins if not replaced is not conducive to long term chain reliability. I wouldn't do it. I ride KMC chains for my 10 sd Campy rig with a KMC missing link that looks like what Rad posted above. Believe the wise man Sheldon Brown...but certainly others if not him endorse infrequent removal of the chain. In engineering parlance this is referred to as "little value added". I only on rare occurrence remove mine...generally when doing other bigger PM items on my bike like removing the rear cassette and/or freehub etc. A good wiping of the chain with mineral spirits on the bike and fresh WL keeps my driveline very clean...don't see a need to remove the chain.
Lots of ways to skin that cat.
George
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Old 12-10-05 | 10:58 AM
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From: Los Angeles

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With a chain cleaner, spray bottle, and air compressor, I can make my entire drive train completely sterile and bone dry, in about 5 minutes - without removing anything. I use paint thinner in the chain cleaner & spray bottle, and do this once a week (125-150 miles).


Last edited by LA_Rider; 12-10-05 at 11:06 AM.
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Old 12-10-05 | 11:27 AM
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I'm about to place an order with Performance for some other things - things looks like a good addition too.
Any idea if these links can be used with a Campagnolo Record C10 chain (or, alternatively whether that is easily removeable itself?)
Does adding such a link reduce the life of sprockets/chainwheels, and can it accidentally disengage?
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Old 12-10-05 | 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by The_Guru
Does adding such a link reduce the life of sprockets/chainwheels, and can it accidentally disengage?
I use the Wippermann with the Campy chain with no problems. Never a problem either with added wear or reduced life. As for disengaging, some people have claimed that they will, though I've never had a problem. I did have a disengagement issue doing it the old way with pins that had been replaced.

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Old 12-10-05 | 02:08 PM
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As far as on-bike cleaning, I can say that White Lightning and / or an on-bike chain cleaning tool were insufficient to really clean the chain. A lot of gunk remained inside the links and them migrated to the cassette and back on to the chain once I relubed.
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Old 12-10-05 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by SpongeDad
As far as on-bike cleaning, I can say that White Lightning and / or an on-bike chain cleaning tool were insufficient to really clean the chain. A lot of gunk remained inside the links and them migrated to the cassette and back on to the chain once I relubed.
Whatever floats your boat. Some even alternate chains...have one clean in waiting and rotate them. Most like myself opt for a simple cleaning on the bike as they have learned there is little benefit in being more meticulous. I would be if value were realized. White lightening is supposed to exfoliate dirt and contamination and it does a relatively good job of doing so. Of course soaking a chain will liberate internal contamination better than a topical wiping. At the end of the day I think you will find as we learn anecdotally from fellow riders...if you performed a controlled experiment with meticulous cleaning by removing the chain versus running a chain always on the bike and not even cleaning the chain with mineral spirits which does little to purge internal contamination...that the net result would be virtually no difference in driveline wear between either technique. I go big miles with keeping the chain on my bikes and BTW my rear cassettes stay very clean and front chain rings stay relatively clean as well.
Personal preference more than discernible benefit except for time lost to remove a chain and clean it.
George

Last edited by biker7; 12-10-05 at 03:06 PM.
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Old 12-10-05 | 03:38 PM
  #32  
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the net result would be virtually no difference in driveline wear between either technique. I go big miles with keeping the chain on my bikes and BTW my rear cassettes stay very clean and front chain rings stay relatively clean as well.
But the bike looks pretty when it's all cleaned up. I'm anal as hell about my bike and clean it thoroughly about once a week.

I did my 40 mile ride this morning and rode up Torrey Pines. It was a beautiful morning and I feel great this afternoon! I'm enjoying a albacore tuna sandwich on marbled rye toast with sharp cheddar and a glass of water for lunch. Life is good!
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Old 12-10-05 | 03:58 PM
  #33  
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I got a "Missing Link" from KMC at a not so LBS this afternoon. My LBS doesn't sell just the links, so I went to the out of the way store that is about as big as my computer monitor, and they had what I was looking for.

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Old 12-10-05 | 04:22 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by mscycler
I got a "Missing Link" from KMC at a not so LBS this afternoon. My LBS doesn't sell just the links, so I went to the out of the way store that is about as big as my computer monitor, and they had what I was looking for.

mscycler
You can find the missing link on line...what I did..bought a few of them. I had great luck with my KMC X10 chain so bought another....a very nice chain for the money. For a 10s campy set up you need the 6.2mm missing link which is different then the 9 speed missing link width. KMC recommends only using the missing link once...but many report to use them repeatedly. Chain failures can be catastrophic. I like the strength of KMC chains and believe the missing link is a very reliable connection which makes servicing the chain pretty simple. I use the links 2X's and then replace.
George
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Old 12-10-05 | 06:57 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by biker7
You can find the missing link on line...what I did..bought a few of them. I had great luck with my KMC X10 chain so bought another....a very nice chain for the money. For a 10s campy set up you need the 6.2mm missing link which is different then the 9 speed missing link width. KMC recommends only using the missing link once...but many report to use them repeatedly. Chain failures can be catastrophic. I like the strength of KMC chains and believe the missing link is a very reliable connection which makes servicing the chain pretty simple. I use the links 2X's and then replace.
George
Was/is your Missing Link "loose". I mean, I can undo mine with one hand, actually two fingers w/o much trying. Is is supposed to be tighter than it is???

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Old 12-10-05 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by mscycler
Was/is your Missing Link "loose". I mean, I can undo mine with one hand, actually two fingers w/o much trying. Is is supposed to be tighter than it is???

mscycler
Oh no bro. The missing link should have a very tight snap engagement. You can see the C shaped clip insert that snaps into the undercut pin on each side. I cannot undo mine with one or two hands. Best to use a pair of needle nose to press adjacent rollers together and to install...a quick rotation of the crank to snap the link in place. If it is looser than that, I suggest you get a new link as a chain that may come apart due to lack of tension for example between shifts could create a serious accident. Missing links come in different sizes depending on 8-10 speed but this should not influence engagement tightness but important to clearance between cassette cogs.
HTH,
George
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