Best way to clean your drive train?

[Hendo]

What do people recommend as the best way to get your crank, chain and cassette clean?
I have a couple of older bikes that would really benefit from having the whole drive train cleaned up, but I don't think that cracking out an old toothbrush and Fairy liquid is going to be the best bet....!
Any straightforward methods welcome!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I like the famous Mickle method for the chain. The cassette and chainrings just get a good wipe over from time to time. I avoid washing up liquid as it often has salt in (to keep your hands soft) which wouldn't be ideal.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

De-greaser and a brush and elbow grease.

 

[helston90]

elbow grease.

- have you got a link for this grease? I can't find it on evans/ wiggle/ CRC or anything?!

 

[fabregas485]

I like the famous Mickle method for the chain. The cassette and chainrings just get a good wipe over from time to time. I avoid washing up liquid as it often has salt in (to keep your hands soft) which wouldn't be ideal.

That method works one the chain has been cleaned. Its more of a maintenance type clean rather than heavy clean.

 

[Shaun]

I'm thinking of sending mine in the post to @ianrauk (sorry @Hendo - private joke!)

 

[Hip Priest]

Spray GT 85 on your cassette. Give it a good scrub with a brush. Spray GT 85 on it again. Viola! Like new.

Then mickle the chain.

 

[Paul.G.]

Mucoff do an aerosol degreaser, spray on and leave for 5 mins then hose off.

 

[fossyant]

I just use a rag or an old cotton t-shirts.

Make a fold in the rag , and you can run it up and down between each sprocket.

 

[Hendo]

I'm definitely going to try "the Method" with my clean chains (2), but with the others there was a good quote on the Mickle link above, viz:

1. 
   
   Mick Allan says:
   April 29, 2010 at 3:06 pm
   Hi Pete, the key thing about The Method is that it’s a maintenance programme. It assumes a clean chain at the start and regular attention. It can’t hope to process the accumulated gunge of an abused or neglected transmission. Sometimes white spirit really is the only solution.
   
   "Abused and neglected" is unfortunately an accurate description of my other chains.
   
   I'm thinking stiff toothbrush(es), soap flakes solution to get the worst of the grease and grit off, then Mickle them.
   
   Ps. I think elbow grease is in the same section on all the websites as the tartan paint.
   

 

[djb1971]

Quick link, pop into bottle of degreaser, rag between cassette.

Other than that oil, wipe, wipe, wipe, wipe, oil, wipe, wipe, ride

 

[Shaun]

Oh, if you're getting some Tartan paint can you grab me a tin ...

 

[Hendo]

The thing is, on my second hand Raleigh, I think some of the gunk on the chain is now Vintage. It'd almost be like losing part of the family.....

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

That method works one the chain has been cleaned. Its more of a maintenance type clean rather than heavy clean.

The thing is, on my second hand Raleigh, I think some of the gunk on the chain is now Vintage. It'd almost be like losing part of the family.....

Hmm, suppose I should have thought a little more carefully about what the OP is asking. If the chain has been allowed to get into the state where "the method" won't cut it, it would be worth checking for wear and whether a replacement is needed.

 

[boydj]

While you can clean cassettes and chains in situ, it easier - and not really any slower - to do a good job when you dismantle the components. When it comes to chainrings and jockey wheels, disassembly is the only way to get things really clean and gives you the opportunity to clean and grease the bearings on the jockey wheels. With the cassette off, you can clean the individual cogs easily and do a better job on the wheel with no cogs in the way.