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

04-01-2004, 04:11 AM

"Jonesy" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> Back to topic: I also have had poor luck with citrus-based solvents.
> They are good for degreasing clothes, or removing glue residue, but
> not for chain cleaning. I use good ol' paint thinner in a soda
> bottle. Put in the chain. Shake. Pull the chain out and wipe. Let
> dirt settle out. Pour off clear (no dirt particles) supernatant to a
> new bottle, remove dirt from old bottle. Put chain in new bottle.
> Shake. Rinse, lather, repeat until no dirt comes out of chain. Dry
> thoroughly, such that NO solvent is left in the chain.

I find a flame works best for this.

> Soak in
> lightweight motor oil overnight. Pull out, let drain, wipe down with
> solventy rag. Install, let sit, wipe it down again. Ride for three
> minutes until it's dirty again.
>
> After having seen at least one experiment in r.b.t., I think the "wipe
> real good, re-oil, wipe real good again" is the best method for chain
> lubrication. Skip the cleaning, and replace the thing when it gets
> really filthy.

Yes, clean chains are a tool for the poser, and nothing else.

> I run oil in the winter, drier lube (wax-based) in the summer. Seems
> to work OK. Then again, whenever I pull the chain for cleaning, I
> pull the cassette too. While I'm waiting for some of the steps, I
> clean the chainrings and jockey wheels.
>
> But if you Googled, you might have got all that already.

Googling makes me dizzy. All that jumping up and down.

Shaun aRe