I hear mixed advice, some say WD-40 is bad, some people say to use citrus based degreaser... Im looking for a common, cheap, good quality degreaser that i can use in my chain cleaner. I dont need a spotless chain, but WD-40 only works so well.

Any suggestions?

Everyone's got a different idea about this one. Every Friday night before bed, I saturate the chain with Tri-Flow & wipe clean 2-3 times, until I've completely filthed-up one paper towel, then finish it off with a light coat of thicker, Phil Woods tenacious oil, wiping off the excess, but leaving some on the link plates for the front derailleur.

I've used cirtus degreasers and they work well, but have used WD-40 to clean my chain when I've been out of degreaser. I think it is mainly recommended not to use WD-40 as your sole chain lubricant. It seems to work well as a cleaner while leaving behind a bit of lubrication. I then put on Finish Line Dry Teflon lube, or whatever lube I currently have.

I use a Park Tool chain cleaner loaded with charcoal lighter fluid. Then I toss the fluid in my plant bed, let the residue on the chain evaporate, then apply White Lightening to to chain.

Is this the best? I dunno. Is it environmentally responsible? I dunno. But it does a damn good job cleaning the chain, you betcha.

I don't. I use Pro-Link. Put a drop on every roller, wipe it down with a rag, and ride. Repeat ad infinitum.

I use White Lightning. It's okay until you ride in the rain. They do have a wet weather chain lube though.

I spray some Simple Green on a rag and wipe down the chain several times.
Then apply some Finish Line dry teflon lube to each pin and wipe off excess.

You are supposed to clean your chain???

Nah you are just supposed to buy a new one every time your's gets dirty.

Everyone has an opinion about cleaning chains. Do what makes you comfortable. You can be like me, I clean my drive train about every 100 -150 miles and relube. Or be like some of the other low effort types that will wipe off the bigger chunks of crud ,and then splash on some fresh lube, wipe it down, and go ride. Its your time, bike, and money do what makes you happy.

But to answer your question I use a park chain cleaner with degreaser and water and relube with rock and roll lube.

I don't get how just re-lubing and wiping down helps. Road grit mixed with any lube is like lapping compound. If you don't get a degreaser of some kind in there to wash out the grime, you are just asking for that mixture to polish your chain loose.

I've also heard not to use WD-40 to wash your chain, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of the chain cleaners are exactly that, or very close to it. Seems to me that if you use a good lube after the WD-40, or any other grease cutter, it should be fine.

If someone can point me to why that line of thinking is a bad idea, I'd love to read about it.

Some are self-cleaning

you got me curious too, umd

Used to buy WD 40 in the gallon can for $10, but now it is double that. So, I now use kerosene. When I ran out of WD, it was the only thing I had on hand to put in my Park Cain Cleaner, besides gas. It dries quickly, cost $3/gallon, does not affect the chain, and is not too smelly. After the chain is dry apply your favorite lube. I do this every 2 weeks.

This was recommended to me by the BF brain trust. It works well.

Pedro's Ice Wax every other day - ie. put bike on stand, apply to chain liberally, run it through all the gears by turning the cranks by hand, wipe off thoroughly with a clean rag. Now the chain looks clean and is well lubed. It takes me about 2 minutes.

I get 4000 miles at least on my Ultegra chains using only this technique. I replace the chain when my chain length tool tells me it is time for a new chain. End of story.

Actually it's dont LUBE with wd 40, you can clean with it provided you follow up with a lubricant that suits your riding environment

Yes, but I only use WD-40 in the winter when the roads are really salty and grimy. Otherwise it's lube/wipe/done.

I use the mineral spirits/motor oil in a 3:1 mix. Two separate cleaning tuperwares, one the first cleaning, and the second the final cleaning.

Wipe chain down, and let dry ( acetone evaporates and leaves the oil ). Wipe down afterwords and re-install.

i use the park tool chain cleaner with a citrus degreaser, then prolink progold or pedro's synlube for each link. turn the crank a few times and then wipe off excess...voila!

I use Pro Link. It works well as both a cleaner and lube. I try to do it every 100 miles or so, but this never ends up happening. On the bright side, when I finally get around to cleaning my chain I'm always pleasantly surprised to have a quiet drivetrain for the first couple of days. And it makes me faster!! ;D

+1 to the mineral spirits. I do the entire drivetrain once every two months or so, or about 600 miles. It was a pain the first couple of times, but once it becomes habit, it's a piece of cake.

mineral spirits, followed by simple green, followed by pro lube............... as often as I can remember.

I use a citrus degreaser or just plain soap and water. Usually i let the chain soak for about 10min. then I use paper towels to wipe down the chain and remove all the gunk still left. I also clean my cassette and chain rings when i clean my chain. Then the chain goes back on the bike and a drop of finish line wet lube on every link.