[- seb]

Stupid question since I've been riding for 10+ years, but what's the most effective way to clean, say, a chain?

I normally spend ages with hot water, washing up liquid, and a scrubbing brush, and it's still a bit gritty/oily by the end of it. Is there something I can use that will make the oil just fall off of it? I've never tried any of these pink bike cleaning liquids, are they any good or just a waste of money?

 

[jonKranked]

Pedros degreaser works well for me. The orange peelz stuff. Also non-toxic, which is a plus. Just don't get it in your eyes. It burns like a mofo. I learned this the hard way.

 

[frango]

0,5-0,7L PET bottle with big "intake" + petrol. Shake it very hard for few minutes, dry it well and it's done. Pour back into bigger container, coz You'll use it next time.

 

[djjohnr]

Any citrus degreaser (I buy the bulk generic at Home Depot) + a Finish Line chain cleaner (the green plastic one). I've never found anything that gets stuff off better/faster.

 

[Stoked]

if its really that bad, remove the chain and soak it in the degreaser. then run it through the finish line chain cleaner.

 

[- seb]

0,5-0,7L PET bottle with big "intake" + petrol. Shake it very hard for few minutes, dry it well and it's done. Pour back into bigger container, coz You'll use it next time.

I'd be secretly terrified that the chain was going to knock on itself hard enough to spark.... probably totally improbable, but I don't think I'd enjoy shaking it nonetheless!

 

[BigHitComp04]

Citrus degreaser does work well. I usually just take off my chain when washing the bike and throw it in the bucket of soapy water that i am using to clean the bike and let it soak while i wash the bike. After im done and the bike is dry the last thing i do is pull it out and scrub it real quick with a brush and then rinse it off. Works really well for me. I clean my bike often though so the buildup on the chain usually isnt too bad.

 

[coldawg]

For most regular cleans, I just leave the chain on and use a Park Tool chain cleaner with standard citrus degreaser (just buy a gallon of it at OSH/Home Depot for cheap). If it's really gritty, I'll sometimes use a brush first to get some of the big stuff, but since I clean almost every ride that's not usually necessary. Also, make sure you clean your cassette/chainrings with a brush and some degreaser!

For a while, I tried taking the chain off and shaking it around in a 32 oz gatorade bottle with about 4-6 oz of Dumonde citrus degreaser (really strong). It worked quite well, and you could use that same 4-6 oz for 10+ cleanings, but I got tired of taking the chain off and fishing it out of the bottle, plus occasionally just a bit of friction (brush, chain cleaner) was all it needed to get super clean

 

[slyfink]

have you considered using different lube? I run the Rock n' Roll blue stuff, re-apply it every third ride, and just brush the chain off between rides once it's dry. The chain stays nice and clean, as do the chainrings and cogset. And yes, I ride it in very muddy conditions.

 

[frango]

I'd be secretly terrified that the chain was going to knock on itself hard enough to spark.... probably totally improbable, but I don't think I'd enjoy shaking it nonetheless!

Well, I've never torched myself But, it's the best and cheapest way to clean the chain I know, however, not very eco-friendly

 

[Bike Whore]

Rock'n'Roll lube, no need to degrease, just drizzle on spin through the gears and wipe off the excess - leaves it clean as

 

[davep]

The beverage bottle method works great! This is the number one reason that I run a quick link on all of my chains, it takes no more than a couple seconds to pull the chain and throw it in the cleaner. WAY cleaner, easier and faster than trying to clean the chain on the bike IMO...

As for the solvent, I have used several different types with good success. Bio de-greasers, petrol solvents, and simple green...

Just remember that anything water based can lead to rust/oxidation (so can simple ambient humidity with a completely bare chain) so make sure to rinse and immediately apply a penetrating/water displacing lube..

 

[zebrahum]

spraying some WD-40 on a rag then wiping the chain down works well and is cheap. Citrus works well too, but I typically use WD, wipe it dry off and put the lube on.

 

[al-irl]

being that ur in the Uk seb give Fenicks FS1 a shot. It a great degreaser and if you dilute it you can use it on the whole bike.

 

[cableguy]

Diesel fuel (or kerosene). Just soak it overnight (or better yet, 2-3 days), and all the old lube/junk just falls off like magic, without even scrubbing. Cheap too. The only problem is getting rid of it in a safe way.

 

[joelsman]

I use finish line wet lube. I clean with a park gear brush, then a rag, and then lube. I like to wait till the dirt/mud is dry so it is easier to remove, falls off. I clean the cassette and chain ring(s) at the same time.

i have heard good things about the clip on chain cleaners, just fill with cleaner, attach, back pedal, and re lube.

 

[Biffff]

I use realease-all.......let the dirtiest nastiest chain sit for 20 minutes or more........rinse with warm water and maybe a little scrub with a brush and its like new. I love this stuff.

 

[Serial Midget]

Gasoline or kerosene both work well - Simple Green is also good if you're a greener.