Chain & Casette Cleaning

[Beebster]

 

Hi Guys,

 

What do you use, or how do you clean your chains?  Do you have to break the chain to clean it properly?

 

I clean my chain with a normal engine degreaser, and I scrub it with a medium brush, but I can't seem to clean everything out.  2 rides later, my chain, that was sparkling clean, is black with dirt/muck/old grease type crap again, and so is my casette.  I don't ride offroad that often because of the rain and mud and I have to cycle in the early mornings, so it can't be dirt that is going in there, it looks like old grease that is black. 

 

How can I clean it properly and avoid to have to clean it after every 2nd or so ride?

 

Thanks

 

Silverbackman2010-05-06 06:16:02

[AndreZA]

Don't look further then Red Hot product's Chain and Cassette Cleaner http://www.redhotproducts.co.za/mountainbike.php

 

 

 

You spray it on, leave it for 5 minutes and wash it off. I get mine from Dunkeld Cycles. Sorry, I can't remember price. It last quite a while.

[Beebster]

Thanks Mampara, will ask my LBS shop if they have, or will go find it.  I hope this works, really, getting really peed off with this "drack"....

[_freak_]

go to you local bike shop and get the entry level chain cleaner, no more than R100, then use normal parafin as the cleaner, works 100%

[stewie911]

What lube do you use?

 

I sometimes use a parktool chainscrubber and for the casette the parktool casette brush thing.

 

 

[Beebster]

Stewie, I use Finish Line X-Country. 

 

Thanks for the tips guys, really appreciate it

 

[Guest Frail4Life]

 

Hi Guys' date='What do you use, or how do you clean your chains?? Do you have to break the chain to clean it properly?I clean my chain with a normal engine degreaser, and I scrub it with a medium brush, but I can't seem to clean everything out.? 2 rides later, my chain, that was sparkling clean, is black with dirt/muck/old grease type crap again, and so is my casette.? I don't ride offroad that often because of the rain and mud and I have to cycle in the early mornings, so it can't be dirt that is going in there, it looks like old grease that is black.?How can I clean it properly and avoid to have to clean it after every 2nd or so ride?Thanks

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

The other problem may be the Lube.

 

 

 

I use White Lightning ( clean ride) white mix.

 

Still riding through dirt sand or mud leaves my chain clean.

[stewie911]

 

 

Hi Guys' date='What do you use, or how do you clean your chains?  Do you have to break the chain to clean it properly?I clean my chain with a normal engine degreaser, and I scrub it with a medium brush, but I can't seem to clean everything out.  2 rides later, my chain, that was sparkling clean, is black with dirt/muck/old grease type crap again, and so is my casette.  I don't ride offroad that often because of the rain and mud and I have to cycle in the early mornings, so it can't be dirt that is going in there, it looks like old grease that is black. How can I clean it properly and avoid to have to clean it after every 2nd or so ride?Thanks

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

The other problem may be the Lube.

 

 

 

I use White Lightning ( clean ride) white mix.

 

Still riding through dirt sand or mud leaves my chain clean.

 

That's why I asked what lube is being used.

 

I use Squirt wax based dry lube.  Will be trying something different next time, but it works good.

 

After every second/third ride I apply new lube and wipe the chain.

 

[_freak_]

finishline or whitelightning for me thanx

[Guest Big H]

Clamshell type chain cleaner with normal dish washing soap ..... the lemon one smells better..... but they all work. Scrub the derraileur and cassette with a long handled dishwashing brush with stiff bristles. Let it dry and lube with Squirt.

 

or......

 

Fit a Sram Quick Link and remove each time. Put in a old cycling water bottle with hot water and the same dishwashing liquid. Shake rinse and hang to dry. Cassette and derraileur in the same way as above. Lube with Squirt.

[robmac]

There is only one proper way to clean a chain:

 

http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

[Goose1]

 shelbro rules..........

[Genesis]

go to you local bike shop and get the entry level chain cleaner' date=' no more than R100, then use normal parafin as the cleaner, works 100%[/quote']

 

I gotta agree. This way works for me as well.

I finish the job with "Squirt Long lasting Dry Lube - wax based"

 

Seems to work for me