After a ride in the wet i give my bike a good soapy wash down and rinse off,bounce the bike gently on the back wheel to get as much excess water off the bike as poss then put it away in the shed.However my chain and cassette has rust on them now.How can i stop this happening after a wash or ride out in the wet without drying each individual link and tooth? Also what product/s do you use to clean and degrease the chain?
Tips on Chain cleaning.
- Thread starter Chris-H
- Start date
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Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
Search the forum for 'the Mickle method' 
Followed up with some proper chain lube after it has all dried.
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
Pedrosanchezo
Veteran
- Location
- Perthshire, scotland
If you have terribly neglected your chain though and it is looking like a big clean job.................
Someone once mentioned to me that you could get a milk carton with some white spirit, drop the chain in and give it all a good shake. Leave it to sit in there whilst you clean up your badly neglected cassette.
Remove from the carton and dry everything off. Apply some gt85, wd40 etc etc then wipe off excess. Dry off.
Finish by adding some proper chain lube. Or something a bit thicker than these ^^^ lubes.
It will require a quick link but if you don't already have one fitted then it's as good a time as any!
I agree with the "Mickle" method btw. This method is for chains that were metal coloured and are now stained black.
Someone once mentioned to me that you could get a milk carton with some white spirit, drop the chain in and give it all a good shake. Leave it to sit in there whilst you clean up your badly neglected cassette.
Remove from the carton and dry everything off. Apply some gt85, wd40 etc etc then wipe off excess. Dry off.
Finish by adding some proper chain lube. Or something a bit thicker than these ^^^ lubes.
It will require a quick link but if you don't already have one fitted then it's as good a time as any!
I agree with the "Mickle" method btw. This method is for chains that were metal coloured and are now stained black.
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Wot they said. The problem with 'shaking the water away' is that it didn't get the chain dry. In anything other than bright sunshine, you need to use a rag and dry the chain. Won't take long.
Biker Joe
Über Member
- Location
- Nr Harlow, Essex.
I have two identical chains with quick links for both my bikes.
When a chain becomes dirty I take it off,clean up the bike cassette and chain rings and put on the fresh spare chain. Quick and easy. The bike is then ready to go.
At a time that is convenient, I soak the dirty chain in solvent,rinse in soapy water,rinse in clean water and pop it in the oven to dry out. Once the chain is dry I then lubricate it and wipe off excess lub. The chain is then hung up in the shed for the next time. This way I always have clean, lubricated chains ready any time I need one.
It works for me.
When a chain becomes dirty I take it off,clean up the bike cassette and chain rings and put on the fresh spare chain. Quick and easy. The bike is then ready to go.
At a time that is convenient, I soak the dirty chain in solvent,rinse in soapy water,rinse in clean water and pop it in the oven to dry out. Once the chain is dry I then lubricate it and wipe off excess lub. The chain is then hung up in the shed for the next time. This way I always have clean, lubricated chains ready any time I need one.
It works for me.
the_mikey
Legendary Member
- Location
- South Gloucestershire
When servicing my bike, I use the 'Mickle Method' on the chain, and clean the cassette firstly by brushing degreaser on it, then washing it all off in warm soapy water, and then rinse it again in cold water. Allow the cassette to dry before refitting. Then refit the chain. Try to avoid degreasing the chain.
Pedrosanchezo
Veteran
- Location
- Perthshire, scotland
Sounds like a man with a plan!!!
I have recently bought one of these and it makes all bike work so much easier. Even enjoyable actually. Can't believe i didn't get one sooner.
Andrew_Culture
Internet Marketing bod
- Location
- The People's Republic Of Suffolk.
I Mickle my chain at least once a fortnight and find that most crud comes off with a hearty rag wipe.
antnee
Guru
- Location
- Weston Super mud, North Somerset
Without appearing like a numpty i know its sounds daft , but what the difference between wet chain lub and dry chain lub? Ok I think perhaps ones more like a wax silicon type? so is the wet one more in the traditional vain of a simple oil? I see after all this wet that the chain on the Trek has become rusty looking and as it has no quick link? not sure I quite get what that is, Though remember ones on the old BSA m/Bike were an elongated spring clip that spanned two rivet pins of a removable half link you took that of and then could remove the chain for cleaning, can't remember if any of my old push bikes ever had that type of split link though.
regards Antnee
regards Antnee
Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
I think that dry is er... dry and washes off when it rains but doesn't pickup as much cr*p from the roads. Wet picks up more grime but doesn't need re-application quite so soon... I am prepared to be corrected though (as I have only ever used Finish line green top).
Peteaud
Veteran
- Location
- South Somerset
I use Finish Line Dry on the roadie.
Finish Line DRY Lube goes on wet, but then sets up in a dry, ‘paste-like film so it will not attract or absorb grit and grime. Teflon fluoropolymer and specialized synthetic oils run silky smooth and provide excellent durability. Perfect for on or off-road riding – especially in dry, dirty, dusty conditions, while still providing adequate wet weather performance. Holds up to extreme pressures and resists water wash-off. A very versatile all-weather chain lubricant. Also, use on derailleurs, brake and shifter pivots. Features superior penetration qualities. Finish Line DRY Lube provides incredible drivetrain efficiency without attracting an excessive amount of contaminants
Not sure if i would use it on the winter bikes?
Finish Line DRY Lube goes on wet, but then sets up in a dry, ‘paste-like film so it will not attract or absorb grit and grime. Teflon fluoropolymer and specialized synthetic oils run silky smooth and provide excellent durability. Perfect for on or off-road riding – especially in dry, dirty, dusty conditions, while still providing adequate wet weather performance. Holds up to extreme pressures and resists water wash-off. A very versatile all-weather chain lubricant. Also, use on derailleurs, brake and shifter pivots. Features superior penetration qualities. Finish Line DRY Lube provides incredible drivetrain efficiency without attracting an excessive amount of contaminants
Not sure if i would use it on the winter bikes?
