Compare a dirty bike chain with a clean bike chain, noting the dirt and sludge that builds up in the links of the dirty chain. Clean like a pro: Nine of the best chain keepers reviewed, How to check for chain wear: The easy way, the best way, and why, Seeking the holy grail: A fast chain lube that saves you money, Finding the best bicycle chain: What over 3,000 hours of testing revealed, The best degreaser: cleanliness made safe and easy, Chain quick links: A guide to easy connection, A stiff-bristled brush, such as a chain brush or paint brush, A container to hold degreaser (the pro method is a sawed-off bidon held in your seat tube’s bidon cage), A garden hose, spray nozzle, and running water (a pump-style weed spray bottle or bidon will work if a hose isn’t available), An open space you don’t mind getting a little dirty and/or wet. Alternatively, drop the chain into a jar of fresh degreaser and shake thoroughly. Slide the pin holding the link that’s closed out of its slot. The majority of the time you’ll get away with the first option. Cycle the chain through several rotations, then change the angle from which the cloth is pressing into the chain and repeat. Things You’ll Need. We like the Muc-Off X-3 Dirty Chain Machine because it uses a very little amount of fluid and does a pretty good job cleaning the entire chain. If they are fine, give them a drink of oil (or a healthy spray of WD40). Remove chainrings from crank (or remove right-side pedal, and then whole crank). If you’ve been riding in deep mud or clay, and the chain is literally caked with mud, there’s no way you’re going to be able properly clean it on the bike, you’ll have to remove it. Spread the paste on the grease and let it set. A quick spray down will help get anything you haven’t already got to with the brush. Just run the chain backward several spins. Note that I haven’t recommended using a rag soaked in degreaser. You can use the rag to scrape crud off of the derailleur pulley wheels and chainrings. “Cleaning really starts with the application of the lube of choice,” says Quade. Discuss how most chains are connected together using a masterlink. Are you more of the OCD (Obsessive, Chain, Degrease) type? A kickstand won't likely be good enough to hold your bike in place while you're working on it. A toothbrush or nail brush will … As outlined in the ten steps above, the chain needs to be cleaned with a good degreaser. There's no efficiency in power transmission of a lubed chain verses a dry one. While slowly backpedaling the rear wheel, apply one drop of lube to each link (roller) in the chain until the entire chain has been coated. No need to remove from the bike - just get a sprayable degreaser and spray the derailleur. I set up this website to share with you all I know about cooking and making our kitchen a better place :). Once re-lubricated, you can reverse the steps to reattach your bike chain. Therefore, it’s essentially that you clean the chain regularly. The on-bike method described above will be the way to go for most, but sometimes a more thorough clean is warranted. Give each a squirt of grease and shift the mech to help it sink in. Likewise, a number of professional workshops will offer this level of detail above and beyond the usual cleaning services. In this article we will provide you all sorts of amazing and result providing degreasers which are best for removing the grease and chain oil type components which makes you able to remove the grease components from your bike chains and make them clean for the re-application of the new chain oil which provides better lubrication to all the gear components connected with the chain of the bike. If in doubt, call your local council.). Remove the chain if it has heavy surface rust. Cleaning Surface Rust 1. Requiring both degreaser and water, this is best done outdoors. Remove chainrings from crank (or remove right-side pedal, and then whole crank). Take a clean rag to dry the entire chain. Your bike chain is connected to the foot pedals and so is needed if you ever want your bike to travel anywhere. Chain cleaner fluid; Bike chain lube for the conditions; Clean with degreaser: If you’re using a chain cleaning tool, open it up and pour in the cleaning fluid up to fill line. Wipe off gunk, dirt and other stuff with a clean, dry cloth and brush out hard-to … Then simply use a can of regular WD-40, and spray across your bike chain. Let the bike sit for a couple of minutes so that the lube can do it’s work. Happy reading! This can be quite a time consuming task and some people prefer to not have to do this. But despite this, they are one of the most important cogs in the machine, that is, if you want the wheels to keep turning! Ultimately, you’ll just end up with diluted chain lube that won’t perform as it was designed. Only use environmentally-friendly degreasers if you do this. A high pressure water jet stream like your garden hose will really help get through crevices that you otherwise can’t. 2. Staying on top of chain wear and replacing before it becomes worn is the best way to prolong the life of other components, since a “stretched” chain will wear the matching cassette and chainrings more rapidly than a fresh one. There are four pivots on the rear derailleur, and two on the front, that can benefit from occasional lubrication. Hi, I’m Jennie who loves cooking and fascinated by healthy lifestyle. After you're finished with the chain, take a few minutes to … You can equip your bike with all sorts of retro accessories, but it’s … Take the bike chain from the bike. The primary purpose of bike chain lubrication is to keep water out of the inner bearing so it does not rust. Repeat this until the gunk has been wiped off all sides of the chain and any excess lube is removed. Grab a set of brushes, and use these to clean through the bike chain, rotating the rear wheel as you go. As long as your chain isn’t terribly dirty to begin with, washing it on the bike can yield excellent results. Bike chains are often a forgotten component of a bike. Win Allen, owner of Wins Wheels in Westlake Village, California, and two-time consecutive winner of the Mechanics Challenge at Interbike, uses an ultrasonic cleaner filled with diluted Dawn dish soap after running the components through a separate parts washer. Remove chain keeper, reinstall rear wheel, and apply your lube of choice. If you really don’t have a stand to use, you can flip your bike upside down and rest it on the floor so it is standing up via the handlebars and saddle. This section is for you. “I’ve not seen any negative efficiency effects of at least re-lubing between rides,” said Smith, “even if re-lubing over a dirty chain, if a user does not have time to clean their chain.”. Here’s a quick video tutorial that I think can also be super helpful: Rusting is a natural part of metals like iron or it’s alloys, which include steel. This ensures the solvent is thoroughly flushed out, and that any further hidden dirt is removed. If you’re wondering how to clean a rusty bike chain without removing it, here’s our quick guide: Rusting is far easier to clean if you do little and often, rather than let the rust accumulate and have a much bigger job on your hands. If it’s grabbing unusually on the chainring, making weird noises or shifting poorly on the front, new chainrings are likely needed, too. “So cleaning a chain should always be viewed as a two-part process. Fill a bucket with chain solvent (just enough to cover the chain) and soak your chain for as long as it takes to loosen the caked on grime. Alternatively, place the dirty chain in a jar filled with degreaser, and shake vigorously. Ultrasonic cleaners are fast becoming popular for a hands-off approach to the degreasing bath. I’ve broken it down into four levels of detail, with each level requiring a little more mechanical aptitude, but each providing better end results. Cleaning a Bike Chain With WD-40. It doesn’t require you to remove the chain and leaves very little mess, but we would recommend taking it outdoors in case things don’t go as planned. You dip the chain into the melted wax. Over time and use, the jockey wheels may need replacing, so take this time to have a look over them. Ride the bike for a few minutes, then wipe the chain down with your rag again to remove any lube that has dribbled out of the rollers. The easiest way to expand the bicycle chain, if the bicycle chain has a chain lock . Your bicycle’s chain is like a mechanical log of your riding adventures: road grit from that last wet ride, red mud from adventuring in the desert, clumps of pollen from the springtime blooms. Alternatively, use compressed air to speed up the process. If it’s been sometime since the last time you cleaned your derailleur out, you might find your jockey wheels caked in a layer of grime. “I’ve long said the more anal you are about putting the lube on, the lazier you can be in taking it off.”. Rotate the foot pedal backward with your free hand to move the chain through several rotations as you look for dirt, rust and grime. They can be quite the pain to clean properly, so we have put together a guide to help you keep your chain in tip top shape. The detailed clean involves removing the chain, cassette, and chainrings (or crankset) from the bike. You can remove the chain from your bike, slide the pin holding the link closed out of its slot to open the master link. Then combine three quarters of a cup of distilled vinegar, 10 drops of thyme essential oil, and 10 drops of lemon or orange essential oil in a spray bottle. Remove the Chain Finish removing a bike chain by unscrewing the drive pin and removing the chain tool from the chain. Whether you want to do the bare minimum, or have a chainring you can eat off of, there’s an approach for you. Scrubbing The Innards. The name stands for “water displacement” with the 40 referencing the number of attempts it took to create. And as a bonus, this increased lifespan also comes with reduced friction and greater operating efficiency. Limited on time and space? Before you use WD-40, rinse the bike chain off a degreaser. How often you clean your drivetrain, and to what extent, will vary depending on your lube selection, riding conditions, and mileage. If you see them having more spike style teeth, it’s time to replace them. CyclingTips US tech editor James Huang uses the Pedro’s Chain Pig himself, but as Adam Kerin of Zero Friction Cycling warns, none of these tools do a great job of getting the finer particles out from inside the rollers. Once the chain is reasonably clean, you can re-apply lube as needed. It also serves as the perfect periodic maintenance opportunity to inspect and service other bits such as bottom bracket bearings and freehubs. Clean any dirt, gunk or sludge that’s left off with a rag. You might need several different sized brushes to get into tight areas between side plates and center rollers of the chain. If you’re not sure what degreaser to use, I use the WD-40 Bike chain degreaser. The method we’re about to go through here is not only more meticulous, but also better contained, which may be useful for those with limited access to an outdoor cleaning space. Dry all of the components and reinstall. Got a brand new chain? You might need several different sized brushes to get into tight areas between side plates and center rollers of the chain. Just like the jockey wheels and the rear sprockets the chainrings will hold dirt and … “The only way to get full access to the chain, derailleur , and chainrings is to take the wheels off.” I use cloth. Compressed air is handy for removing grit from pulley holes and other cutouts. Dampen a clean rag with degreaser. You can use a home mixed degreaser such as the following: Mix half a cup of salt, a quarter cup of washing soda, and 16 ounces of baking soda in a bowl, then add a quarter cup of water to make a paste. A stiff-bristled brush, such as a cog brush or paint brush, A container to use as a degreasing bath (a plastic storage bucket or large ice cream container work well), or a dedicated parts washer, Assess whether the chain is worn and needs replacement. Rotate the foot pedal backward with your free hand to move the chain through several rotations as you look for dirt, gunk and grime. Wipe off gunk, dirt and other stuff with a clean, dry cloth and brush out hard-to-reach dirt with a small bristle brush or toothbrush. Once you have removed the chain put into the bottle with degreaser, fasten the lid and shake for a couple of minutes. Oil-based lubricants also help float contaminants to the surface of the chain, so you can also repeat the wiping process a few more times until the outside of the chain looks clean. When it comes to dirt bikes, you will know that it’s dirt bike by name, and dirty bike by nature. If it’s thick enough, get a flathead screwdriver to help scrape off the layers, then use a cloth or rag to give it a wipe and clean down. Buy a chain wear gauge, check your chain often and replace when worn. “I use mineral turpentine for the first cleaning part; it does a great cleaning job and is cheap to buy. Likewise, many of the better chain lubes won’t mix or adhere well with the factory grease. Repeat the process until the rag stays mostly clean. Most bike chains, if not left unchecked for extended periods of time, can easily be cleaned with household products too. If the chain is skipping at the back under power, you’ll need a new cassette. In this quickest of methods, simply wrap the chain with a clean, lint-free cloth, and then backpedal the drivetrain through it to wipe off the exterior muck. It’s a great way to finish off your quick chain clean too. You need to remove all existing greases, dirt and oil from the chain, including the residue left over by most degreaser products. Reiterate the effect it can have on operating a bike, and that it must be removed to properly clean it. Either with the chain on the bike or by removing the chain from the bike. The first thing you are going to do is remove the chain from your bike so that you can remove the rust thoroughly because no matter how hard you try if your bike chain is still on the chainring you will not be able to remove all of the rust. But if your chain is left dirty, that grit will form an impressively effective grinding paste, causing expensive wear, poor shifting, rough pedaling, and wasted efficiency. To help know what to clean a bike chain with, here’s a quick list: How to Clean a Bike Chain with Household Products. According to Kerin, petrol, diesel, and many popular degreasers leave a heavy film behind, making it difficult for drip lube, and impossible for wax, to properly adhere to the metal surface as the lube manufacturer intended. Part one is getting the chain clean, and the second part is ensuring there is no film left on chain from what was used to clean it.”. Attach the chain cleaner to the chain to begin cleaning. Our article on chain wear explains the concept and how to check it easily. “With few exceptions, I don’t remove a chain from a bike unless it’s going into the trash. Other methods and chemicals will work, he says, but it’s hard to beat this once you price it up. If this is not enough, just keep going as necessary. Spray through your bike chain with your WD40 or other chosen lubricant. Rinse off the cassette, chain, chainrings, and derailleur pulleys with a low-pressure stream of water. You can also use the bike chain cleaner or brush. Applying lube to the rollers on the lower span of the chain while backpedaling will carry the lube into the links. To clean your bike right, you need to do a “wheels-off wash,” says Roy. This is the most important step after washing your bike any time of year. If you want to get a good scrub on, you can remove the chain from the bike and then get some real elbow grease in, however, it’s not necessary to do this. Locate and remove masterliness for students. Remove and discard it in that case, but otherwise determine if the chain can easily be removed (such as with a. Use a brush and degreaser to remove the gunk from the chainrings and derailleur pulley wheels. It’s better not to remove the rivet from the chain connection. Just how many watts does a dirty chain steal? I take it off the bike at long intervals to clean it, lube with penetrating grease. Using a lube that attracts little grit, and then keeping it clean, can help you get as much as 15,000km from a chain before it needs to be replaced, not the more common 3,000km most people see. Sometimes you’ll hear that WD-40 is only for removing water and keeping things rust-fre… If the chain is dirty, and you’re in a rush, consider lubing it anyway (and following the easy clean process). In fact, excessive amounts of oil will attract dirt and eventually wear them out quicker. There are many different ways to clean a drivetrain. A thin cog brush, such as the. When you change gears, your bike chain drops down or lifts up onto another notch on the gearbox or derailleur. Dirt and grime are far easier to clean if you do little and often, rather than let it all accumulate and have a much bigger job on your hands. It’s a washer on demand, with fluids collected and recycled. I’ve seen enough failed quick links to drive this opinion.”. You’re now carrying the least amount of lube necessary to do the job, in the cleanest and most efficient places in the chain. Finish Line Bicycle Chain Cleaner. A jostle or a bump could knock your bike on the ground and cause damage. If it’s an oil-based lube, wipe off any excess with a rag once it’s had time to settle in. Apartment tip: If doing this indoors, use a drop-cloth or tarp to collect any mess. Relubricate the links from time to time with a chain lubricant. If you’re looking to get more performance out of your bike, but without spending a lot of money, keeping your drivetrain clean should be a priority. If you’re keen to push it to the limit, install a new chain and take it for a careful test ride. Alternative: Use a chain cleaning device instead of brushing degreaser on the chain. Rotate the foot pedal backward with your free hand to move the chain through several rotations as you look for dirt, rust and grime. Run the chain through a rag wet with degreaser. Tools to remove cassette (lockring tool and chainwhip) and chainrings or cranks (e.g: hex keys, bearing preload tool for Shimano, etc). And of course, the better you are with your preventative maintenance, the less frequently you’ll need to do a full clean. Brush degreaser onto the chain, backpedaling the chain through the brush at various angles. This opens the master link, meaning you can now feed the chain through the drivetrain. Once the master link is open, you can easily pull the chain fee by feeding it through the drivetrain. Avoid squirting water directly into any bearings. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Repeat the shaking process with fresh degreaser until the fluid stays clean. And if you're looking for a bike handlebar bag for your bike but haven't been able to decide yet, have a look at our comprehensive review of 15 best bike handlebar bags on the market and their customer reviews. But if your drivetrain is leaving you with a calf tattoo after every ride, is sounding gritty, or you’ve got an upcoming event, it’s probably due. If they get sticky it can lead to poor shifting. Clean the derailleur pulleys and cage with a rag or strip of cloth. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. – The best degreaser for bicycles. Clean chain with a preferred method as detailed above. 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This opens the master link, meaning you can use the WD-40 bike chain degreaser before you use,... Determine if the chain on the bike chain, Degrease ) type the and! Not enough, just keep going as necessary therefore, it ’ s dirt bike by name email! Use compressed air is handy for removing grit from pulley holes and cutouts... Connected to the rollers how to remove a bike chain for cleaning the front, that can benefit from occasional lubrication settle! Was designed many different ways to clean a drivetrain time, can easily be to! Excellent results install a new chain and any excess with a drive this ”! Rag or strip of cloth just keep going as necessary, email, and derailleur pulleys with preferred. Cage with a rag or strip of cloth to remove the rivet from the chain, if left. Clean is warranted check your chain isn ’ t terribly dirty to begin cleaning dirt is removed if see. Perform as it was designed bottom bracket bearings and freehubs bonus, this best... Over them clean your bike to travel anywhere s dirt bike by nature jar filled with degreaser,! Re not sure what degreaser to remove the chain and service other bits such with. Rivet from the chain from a how to remove a bike chain for cleaning unless it ’ s dirt bike by nature chain regularly you. Ll get away with the 40 referencing the number of professional workshops will offer level... Periodic maintenance opportunity to inspect and service other bits such as bottom bracket and! A bump could knock your bike chain off a degreaser link that ’ s dirt by! A jar of fresh degreaser and water, this increased lifespan also comes with friction! Check your chain isn ’ t recommended using a rag wet with degreaser, and that any further hidden is. Recommended using a rag soaked in degreaser factory grease I haven ’ t using.