Can't get my head around degreasing drive chain

[helston90]

This is technically a 'know how' question but is a complete nooby one so thought it more suitable for here.

Say you buy a can/ bottle of degreaser, and spray your chain/ cassette/ rings as part of your cleaning- what's to stop the degreaser going into your rear hub and bottom bracket and stripping out all of the grease?

I can understand relubing the chain but why won't these bits be knackered?

Also I mickle my chain at the moment- should I degrease after every ride/ wet ride or only degrease as part of a weekly mini service?

(see I said it was a noob question)

 

[Dusty Bin]

Just keep the chain clean and adequately lubed - and assuming it is clean and lubed, there should never be a need to degrease it anyway.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

If you're cleaning using the Mickle method there is no need for degreaser. It's just a case of thoroughly wiping the gunk off the outside of the chain and relubricating.

For what it's worth I don't like putting my bike away with a wet chain so it's getting a wipe down after every ride at the moment and more oil every couple of rides depending on how wet and gritty it's been. (very at the moment )

 

[Fab Foodie]

Never degrease unless the chain is sooooo manky or their's seizing going on that there's little choice.
Regular Mickling should be fine, lock the WD40 away

 

[ScotiaLass]

My MTB is 9 years old and the chain has never been de-greased!
It's always been looked after...mickle, mickle, mickle!

 

[BSRU]

This is technically a 'know how' question but is a complete nooby one so thought it more suitable for here.

Say you buy a can/ bottle of degreaser, and spray your chain/ cassette/ rings as part of your cleaning- what's to stop the degreaser going into your rear hub and bottom bracket and stripping out all of the grease?

I can understand relubing the chain but why won't these bits be knackered?

Also I mickle my chain at the moment- should I degrease after every ride/ wet ride or only degrease as part of a weekly mini service?

(see I said it was a noob question)

You could always remove the cassette/rings to give them a good clean.

 

[Fab Foodie]

You could always remove the cassette/rings to give them a good clean.

Or use a baby-wipe, remove the wheel and use the wipe as a 'pull-through' between each ring. Do it right at the cassette revolves as you go back and forth. A small squirt of WD40/GT85 ON A RAG, will do much the same, but don't spray it around.

 

[benb]

Or use a baby-wipe, remove the wheel and use the wipe as a 'pull-through' between each ring. Do it right at the cassette revolves as you go back and forth. A small squirt of WD40/GT85 ON A RAG, will do much the same, but don't spray it around.

I find if I use a baby wipe, it leaves little bits of material in the cassette. Maybe I'm using too cheap wipes.

 

[Biker Joe]

Just keep the chain clean and adequately lubed - and assuming it is clean and lubed, there should never be a need to degrease it anyway.

This is good advice. Do that and you can't go wrong.
But if I may add:- If the chain is really bad and you want to start afresh then remove the chain altogether and give it a good degreasing and remove the cassette rings and do like wise.
Once you've reassembled then follow what Dusty Bin said.
I hope Dusty Bin doesn't mind me adding this.

 

[Dusty Bin]

Don't mind at all..

As above - if the chain is being removed for any reason (with the intention of refitting it) then I would normally give it a thorough degrease anyway. But as long as it is on the bike, there is no practical need.

 

[Widge]

Yup...not a good idea to get degreaser/or WD40 near your wheel and BB bearings.
I WIPE down the chain sometimes with GT85 on a rag or paper. Leave to dry/evaporate and mickle. Resist temptation to spray GT85 or WD40 willy-nilly!

 

[jay clock]

pipe cleaners for the cassette. Or once in a while, remove and whitespirit

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Or use a baby-wipe, remove the wheel and use the wipe as a 'pull-through' between each ring. Do it right at the cassette revolves as you go back and forth. A small squirt of WD40/GT85 ON A RAG, will do much the same, but don't spray it around.

Yes, I do the same for cassettes, but instead of baby wipes, I use general-purpose cleaning cloths (Chux brand). As for the chain: if it's really filthy (not that I let it get that way very often), I'll push cotton buds through each link. I'll typically use about 8 or so cotton buds to get around the whole chain, but it looks a lot cleaner when I'm done.

 

[helston90]

I'll push cotton buds through each link.

Thanks for all your replies- reassured me about why it is I've not used degreaser before- I do like the cotton buds though, I've attempted to clean with baby wipes between the pins to a slow effect.
This chain has only had 400 mile or so- I'll keep mickling for now.

 

[tincaman]

A baby wipe wrapped over an old CD makes a great cassette cleaner, just shove it in between the cogs and run it backwards