cleaning a chain and sprockets,,whats the best way?

[jim55]

my road bike chain and sprockets are filthy ,,whats the best way to clean them?im thinking one of those chain cleaner type machine (plastic case and brushes ,,fill it with degreaser )but as far as the chainring goes iv no idea ,,a paint brush and some parrafin/degreaser again?and the same for the rear sprockets ?i really need to do this as every time u brush against it i get a oily gungy mess up my calf !!!iv got proper oil for the deraileur and the chain once its clean from decathlon ,,but as it looks like i need a fair bit of degreaser il prob need to buy a bigger tin than they sell ,,anybody online do something like that ,i need the whole shebang

 

[edindave]

my road bike chain and sprockets are filthy ,,whats the best way to clean them?im thinking one of those chain cleaner type machine (plastic case and brushes ,,fill it with degreaser )but as far as the chainring goes iv no idea ,,a paint brush and some parrafin/degreaser again?and the same for the rear sprockets ?i really need to do this as every time u brush against it i get a oily gungy mess up my calf !!!iv got proper oil for the deraileur and the chain once its clean from decathlon ,,but as it looks like i need a fair bit of degreaser il prob need to buy a bigger tin than they sell ,,anybody online do something like that ,i need the whole shebang

I just wet the rear cassette and use baby wipes, stretched tight, between the sprockets. Same for getting in between the front chainrings. Works a treat. I use baby wipes all over the bike, chain included.

 

[lulubel]

Baby wipes here too. I tear them into strips, then roll the strips into thin tubes and work them in between the sprockets. It takes a bit of time (especially if it's really dirty), but it's my favourite bike cleaning job because it's so rewarding.

 

[HLaB]

+ 1 For Baby Wipes

 

[What's that clunking?]

If they're that bad, it's easiest to remove the cassette and chainrings and give them a proper clean off with a degreaser and some rags. For the chain, some people take it off and dunk it in white spirit to clean it, but this can remove the oil from the bearings. Personally I'd rather fit a new chain...

 

[jpb]

With my chain I just pop it off, stick it in an old plastic coke bottle with degreaser, put the lid on and give it a vigorous shake for 5/10 minutes. Works a treat and saves on buying those chain cleaners that do the same job!

 

[jim55]

With my chain I just pop it off, stick it in an old plastic coke bottle with degreaser, put the lid on and give it a vigorous shake for 5/10 minutes. Works a treat and saves on buying those chain cleaners that do the same job!

i will take the back wheel off to clean the cassete ,,but to remove the chain id need a chain splitter wouldnt i ??and re the baby wipes thats a good tip but i think i could use them after its fairly clean and as a kinda gen maitenance cleaning thing ..but for an initial clean i need something a bit more intensive

 

[HLaB]

i will take the back wheel off to clean the cassete ,,but to remove the chain id need a chain splitter wouldnt i ??and re the baby wipes thats a good tip but i think i could use them after its fairly clean and as a kinda gen maitenance cleaning thing ..but for an initial clean i need something a bit more intensive

Depend the type of chain; SRAM 6-9spd and and all KMC chains have quicklinks but shimano type chains require a tool and its not something I'd want to mess with; I think I'd weaken the chain or get stiff links when rejoining. I find babywipes are fine for that initial clean just bin them when they get to grubby and use another.

 

[Alun]

You can get a special brush for between the spockets, but I use a Park chain cleaner tool and then a small paintbrush and degreaser for the cassette, chainwheels and derailleurs, wash off with water, job done!

 

[jim55]

thats what il do ,,thanks ,,ive just ordered degreaser (a gallon-iv got two bikes )il get a chain cleaning plastic thingy and tiv got a brush i can use

 

[Davidc]

Mickle method for the chain.

Cassette, rarely needed but take off the back wheel, take off the cassette, dunk it repeatedly in white spirit until clean, leave it to dry, put it back on.

Chainrings, even rarer, but if needed piece of rag between them, and if really vile in winter take them off first.

Jockey wheels, baby wipes.

 

[jim55]

mickle method ,,eh,,,whats that???

i havent got the tool for removing the cassete so prob the best i can do is just take the wheel off,,iv just ordered a degreaser ,,(while i can get white spirit free from my work ,,doh)il get busy with the brush eh

 

[slowmotion]

Mickle......

http://www.cyclorama.net/blog/advice/51/

 

[coffeejo]

I use the Mickle method but on the subject of baby wipes ... is there a less use-n-throw alternative? I assume they're not particularly biodegradable.

 

[jim55]

sorted now ,,wheels off and ..er.... i put the bike in the bath lol

and back together ,,much better

il can just keep on top of it now
thanks all ,,good old white spirit eh lol