Re: What's the best chain cleaner & degreaser? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

03-31-2004, 11:54 PM

It depends on what you used to lubricate the chain. I use butter. It may
be a bit more costly than margarine but sometimes paying for quality is
worth it. Cleaning the chain is then quite easy: my neighbor's dog licks
it off, usually at the end of the ride. Sometimes he doesn't like to wait
that long and I get his companionship during the ride. Perhaps you may
think this sounds a bit odd but, have no fear, dog saliva is antiseptic.

Two hints:
1. Sweet, not salted, butter.
2. Rather than melt the butter and drip it onto the chain, I wait until it
softens, spread it generously onto a slice of bread, and wrap the buttered
bread around the chain as I turn the crank. White sandwich bread is best
for this; whole wheat works in a pinch. Baguettes or bagels? No.