How to clean a cassette?
 

Is it ok to use petrol to clean away the gick from a cassette. I used to soak them overnight after scrubbing with a toothbrush when I was younger and can't remember if it damaged them. I think it would be ok but just wanted to make sure. Also there is a rivet on the Dura-ace chain that is different to the rest. I am guessing this is the one to remove to take the chain off. Would I be right?

i use spray-on auto degreaser, a good brush, then gently spray clean with water and dry with shop towel (using the 'floss' method) when it's on the wheel... would do the same if soaking, but don't know that i'd let it soak for long, much less overnight... just would not be necessary imo...

Simplegreen on the cassette and chain. Let it sit for a few minutes. Grab a brush that will fit between the cogs and scrub away. Rinse with water but no high pressure.

Probably safer to use a less explosive alternative. I use varsol (cheap paint thinner) in a plastic container large enough to allow for some jiggling of the parts. Leave the cassette to soak for a few minutes, shake the container around for a few seconds, repeat a few times and presto! super clean cassette. You can reuse the varsol many times for other parts too.

Simple green in a plastic container for cleaning. As for the chain link, do NOT remove the pin that is different. That is where the chain was assembled to begin with. Use any other pin, and make sure to use a new Shimano pin to replace it.

I just take my cassette off, and let it soak for a bit in some citrus degreaser.....then rinse. Works like a champ.

That is one benefit of getting flats. If you replace your rear tire at home, that is a great time to really get into the drive train and make it sparkle.

will my shimano cassette come apart when I take it off the bike? Is it hard to re-assemble it?

Depends which stuff you have. The higher end stuff will come apart. No worries though. Just re-assemble largest to smallest!

The sprockets are mistake proofed so you can't mess it up. There's a larger slot on the freewheel that matches a larger tab on each sprocket. The stamp showing the number of teeth points outwards... but it's unpossible to put them on backwards anyhow.

I wash my bike after every ride or so. Simple liquid soap with a degreaser, and two cheap 4 inch paint brush. Mist the bike, run some liquid soap over the chain as I circle the pedals backwards, then use one of the 4 inch brushes held lightly against the chain as I continue to circle the pedals backwards. I use the other brush to wash the rest of the bike with a bit of liquid soap. Mist the soap off, then dry as best as possible with a towel. I leave the bike in the sun for the rest of the afternoon so it bakes the moisture out of the hard to get spots. Re-lub the chain and hang it till the next ride. About a 5 minute process not counting the drying time.
If the chain gets really crusty, I use a bit of WD 40 on a brush, then the liquid soap process.

just take the cassette off, spray it with your favorite degreaser (simple green, oil eater, etc), wait a few minutes, rub off the rest of the dirt with a brush of some sort (I use a nylon wheel brush from Pepboys), rinse off and dry.

As for the chain, do yourself a favor and get a masterlink (wipperman or SRAM) - then you can take it apart and put it together for as many times as you would like.

Lather, rinse, repeat as needed.










Seriously I use a citrus degresser and use a toothbrush, rincse in water and done. Takes les than a couple of minutes, and I am thourough(sp).

I'll assume petrol is gasoline and is "dangerous" to use as it's extremely flammable.

I use diesel fuel and a stiff brush and it works great.

If you remove the Shimano chain pin you will need a new pin to replace it.

+1
Citrus works pretty good and seems more gentle.

Besides citrus tastes yummy. If I have to get more serious I'll pop it in my mouth with a little coke and swish for a while, spit, then follow with a chaser of water. ...Antifreeze sherbet for dessert.

Degreaser is overrated. Try kerosene, it's cheaper. (soaking in it, i mean)

How about this?:D

Same here. Only difference is that I use a 50/50 mix of simple green and HOT water. The heated mixture dissolves the grease, and then a vigorous shake in the container they've been soaking in removes pretty much everything.

Floss with 1/4" rope from home improvement store. Try it, you'll be amazed.

*sound of running footsteps, car door slamming, engine starting, wheels peeling out...*
BRILLIANT! i hate how the towels catch and snag on the cog teeth....

i have to try that, never even thought of it..

Don't use gasoline on your bike, much too dangerous.

and the Mechanic's world conquest has begun ... :roflmao:

Better using cotton rope than nylon.....

Pop the cassette, zip tie it together, toss it in the parts washer. With the 9 & 10sp chains I now don't remove 'em to clean. Carb cleaner in derailuer innards AFTER the jockey wheels are removed. Be warned: that stuff is harsh on rubber/finished surfaces.