Hey all,

I recently purchased a new road bike, and I've noticed that a lot of dirt is sticking to the chain.

Should I be concerned about this?

What's the best way to clean the chain?

Thanks in advance.

While it is on the bike, I have been known to use an old toothbrush, and some simple green.. takes some time, but cleans her up nice..

Another method on the bike is to get one of those chain cleaning box/wheel/brush deals (for like $15 at the LBS). Fill it with cleaning solution, snap it on the chain, then just run the pedals backwards for a few revolutions.

If the chain is REAL bad (I do this one 1-2x per year) get a chain tool, pop out a pin, take off the chain, and put it in a jar of simple green for a half hour.. then just take an old rag, and the grease/grime comes right off.

> lot of dirt is sticking to the chain.
> Should I be concerned about this?
> What's the best way to clean the chain?

Yuck.
Yes.
Many different ways.

I use the Finish Line chain cleaner and their Citrus BioSolvent. Normally, 2 passes cleans the chain extremely well (I clean every 2 weeks or more frequently if needed). Try to get any add'l grit off of pulleys with spray can version of the BioSolvent. Wipe down.

Wipe down chainring teeth (front and back) and in between cassette cogs (use a non-shredding cotton shop towel, get those cheap from Costco).

Apply (per directions) Rock-n-Roll Gold to lubricate drivetrain. I use White Lightning on the Speedplays, Finish Line Teflon on the other parts, but only Rock-n-Roll Gold on the chain.

Chains are cheap (~$20 for a new DA chain on sale). Chainrings and cassettes are expensive. Keep the drivetrain clean will only prolong the life of the more expensive parts and also keep the bike running smoothly.

I also put a new chain on every year or 4000-5000 miles, whichever comes first.
Every once in a while, it is good to remove the cassette, clean, regrease hub, reassemble.

When the chain and cassette are sparkling like new, the bike just looks ... uh, faster.
Best.

Get yourself a SRAM Powerlink for your chain. From there, it's easy to take it off, clean thoroughly and re-install. Best $4 you can spend when it comes to chain maintenance.

55/Rad

Soak it in kerosen , leave to dry overnight and then re oil .

some not too toxic spray degreaser or disc brake cleaner will clean the chain relaly fast and it will dry relaly fast so yo ucan oil it and put it back on in no time. I find this far easier then using the parts cleaer at work.

My LBS suggested spraying the chain with WD-40 and then wiping of excess and reapplying normal chain lube.

I use blue Dawn, dishwashing soap if I'm cleaning the chain on the bike. If I'm taking the chain off (Whipperman stainless w/ power link) I use Simple Green. I never let Simple Green get on my bike. (It can eat bearing seals and brake pads).

I'm also a fan of Dawn. I put a big squirt into a wet sponge and grab the chain as I turn it backwards. The whole thing gets foamy and I rinse it with a gentle (repeat: gentle) spray from the hose. Do this a couple of times and you'll get everything very clean. Let dry and relube.

I've never tried the sponge trick...... but I will. Thanks!

I use WD 40, and poke a thin piece of rag through EVERY link. AAAAGH!!

Are those 'clean the chain on the bike' gizmos any good? They seem to be a bit expensive for what they are. They remind me of those rip-off tape head cleaning contraptions. I once paid 30 bucks for video cassette with a brush in it!!??!!

I use carb cleaner. It's cheap, at 99 cents a can, and evaporates within seconds.

I too was skeptical of these gizmos. I got one of these: https://www.pedros.com/frames/bikecare.html
from one of the online folks for $15, so I said what the heck. It works fairly well as does the degreaser. If you can catch a deal on one I'd say it was worth it. Of course a sponge and a degreaser of choice also work. I'm a victim of marketing. I hate that!!

oooh, thanks

laundry detergent and a toothbrush, with a few squirts of WD40, and then RINSE WELL. Works a treat every time.

Though come to think of it I think a chain tool would be very handy.

I will second what 55/Rad said. You can get a SRAM PowerLink or Wipperman conneX-Link that will fit on any chain and not only theirs. Removing the chain and soaking it in some degreaser in a tupperware container not only gets you the best cleaning results but also allows you to get into your drivetrain easier and better. I place the tupperware container on top of my washing machine while washing my cycling clothes to shake things loose. I also pop off the rear wheel so I can get at the cassette and likewise take a brush to the chainrings with some soapy water. Make sure to rinse everything off as the detergent will prevent the lube from doing its job. Then after everything has dried. I put it all back together and use DuMonde Tech lube on each roller.

For a "quick-clean", I will just shoot Rock'N'Roll on the chain and go. That only takes a couple of minutes.

All good advice. Personally, I have the Park chain gang, I think it is called. I use a solutin called Orange Awesome Degresear I get at the Dollar Store. I clean the drive train, not just the chain, once every two weeks at a minimum. I also use a spray bottle of Awesome and an old toothbrush to clean the chain rings and cogs, plus old socks for cleaning between the cogs.

Your chain will tell you when it needs cleaning as it gets noisy. Nothing is more satisfying than flying down the rode at 25mph+ and nary a sound coming from your machine other than the sound of the tires on the road.

Dental Floss......... No j/k.. found Parks chain tool works good along with Dawn dish washing liquid and VERY hot water in the machine; works quite well for a low effort job. Use LOTS of water after its clean to flush out the chain pieces parts. Then I dry it with a hair blow dryer and get it nice and hot and next, apply Pedro's Ice Wax. I do it after every ride, generally each are at least 50 miles + , and last summer she went about 3,000 miles and LBS says chain shows hardly any wear. Works 4 me...... :-)

Awesome Orange truly is awesome. I gotta get some more of that stuff.

No no no........ they are not a rip off and don't cost all that much. Beats the hell outta trying to do all that by hand, imo. Been using mine for about two years now and it still works and seems to do what they claim. Have the Parks version. but plenty of ways to clean a chain; everyone has their own preference .

I don't line the cleaner gizmo's. They get chain smeg all over your chainrings (and your floor).

I use a powerlink chain, remove it, and clean the rest of the drivetrain while the chain's off soaking in paint thinner.

A much better cleaning, and it takes 2 seconds to take the chain off.

And soap and a sponge? uh-uh. The only water that gets near my chain is rain.