Chain cleaning
 

Well,I've given up on passive cleaning treatments (White Lighting), and I finally got tired of trying to clean my chains using one of those Park Tools thingamabobs. Bought a pin remover and took the chains off. The difference is HUGE. My chains are spotless now. Pin removal and replacement was a snap. As long as I don’t get stranded 30 miles from home when a chain fails this weekend, I’m converted.

Got so motivated I cleaned Bibi’s bike too. I’d never seen two inches of clay stuck inside a cassette before. Am I complaining though? Nope. I figure I did at least $50 worth of work on her bike today. Ten more times and I can rationalize a new CX frame and fork. (Shhh, it’s our secret.)

SRAM Powerlinks on the 9 speeds and Wipperman Connex link on the 10's. Best $5 a guy can spend on keeping his chain clean.

55/Rad

What's a pin remover? Can you post a picture/link? I cleaned my chain today with a scrubbie and was a little frustrated because I couldn't get it really clean. But I don't know how to take the chain off or put it back on. Thanks!

Pin remover: chain tool
http://parktool.com/products/detail....=5&item=CT%2D5

Get one, take out a link and replace it with a SRAM or Wipperman master link. As Rad said, it'll be the best five bucks you ever spend on drivetrain maintenance.

Screw the pins. Here's what you need. Either the SRAM:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/I...s/Full/871.jpg

Or the Wipperman:

http://www.performancebike.com/produ...00/50_1528.jpg

I actually went in looking for SRAM or Connex links, but three (!) LBS didn't have any. Figured it couldn't hurt to have a pin remover anyway.

I'm sure I'll install an SRAM or Connex link when I'm allowed to shop on the internet again. (Technically, I'm not allowed to buy any more bike stuff until after Christmas, but these chains needed cleaning.) For now, it was fun to do it the old fashioned way.

I find it very suprising that out of three shops, none had any master links. Both of the chains I use have a Connex link in them, but I still carry the Park CT-5 and an extra Connex link in my saddle bag because some day, it will mean the difference between somebody in my group walking and riding home.

Yes, listen to Rad. I use 2 old peanut butter jars. 1 is the "grunge" wash, the other the finishing wash. Chain comes out remarkably clean with almost no effort. Wipe off, hang dry ... by the time I finish cleaning the bike, the chain is ready to be remounted and relubed. Also, I found that using #4 coffee filters, I can strain the cleaning solution and it looks pretty good (a lot of the junk is caught in the filter).

Wippermans! +1

- simple removal and re-attachment; stainless steel; you can sometimes find 'em for $40 or less on sale

- btw, i use Simple Green, then ProLink...

- keeping the cassette debris removed is good!

:-)

Man, this is why I like BF so much. Rad, I did a quick search for a Wipperman Connex link. Can you recommend a internet site that sells these?
Regards,

Performance Bike - here's the 10 but they also have the 9's.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slitrk=search#

Edit - I'm sorry I didn't notice they were out of stock. Had them at my local store last week.

Here is the SRAM 9 speed version:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5134

55/Rad

Ok, so if I get one of those Wipperman's, Do I just throw that link on my Shimano chain as is? Add it to it? Dooooo tell.

Does the wipperman Connex 10-speed link work on the Shimano 10-speed chain?

Thanks Rad, best advice I've had in awhile. :D

Ditto, does it work with a Shimano 10 spd? Performance says it's compatible with the campy 6.2 but doesn't mention Shimano.

+1 i've never heard of them. taking the chain off is enough of a pain that i rarely do it. this will make it easy. woo hoo!

Wippermann link works with Shimano just fine. SRAM used to say their's was ONLY for SRAM chains but many people, including myself, used them on Shimano chains with no problem.

Rad's right about the quick removable links. They are a Godsend. I love all of mine. I'm going get a few extras just in case any of mine break. Although it hasn't happened yet.

I have a jar of solvent I use for my chains. I take them off, and toss them in the jar while I wash the bike. After a few mins, I shake the jar a few times, dry it off, reattach, and spray with some teflon lube. Good to go, and super clean. Well worth the investment.

Patriot,
What kind of solvent do you use?

I have the pedros chain cleaner and use simple green in it. I clean often. never have a problem. never tried the removeable links.

cheers

I need a link for my Shimano 10 sp. Anyone recommend a site for one?

The LBS guy gave me a sample of Purple Extreme today while I was in there. They also siad they would clean my chain in their ultrasonic cleaner if I would bring it up there. He also said that I needed a special 10 sp chain tool to remove my chain...Does this sound correct?

mscycler

So there's no problem using the 6.2mm Wippermann Connex with a Shimano 10 speed? Because it looks like the Campy 10 speed is a slightly different size.

mscycler, if the Connex works for Shimano, you might try here. Price is higher than Performance, however.

Mark V industrial. I get it from work. Not the kind of stuff you can dump down the drain. I take the leftovers back to work for turn-in. The stuff gets it clean as a whistle, garaunteed.

Nice tip! My bike came with a quick release link and I just removed the chain to clean it (this is after cleaning it with one of those chain cleaning devices with the internal brushes) and I still had quite a bit of grit and grime in the cleaning solution after. It also gave me a chance to wipe down the rear triangle and clean the cassette.

Thanks! I'll enjoy my ride this morning even more knowing that there is very little grit in my drivetrain! :)