cleaning the chain

[Dale]

#36611

It boggles my mind that a cleaner can damage steel but it appears to be the case.

Rock and Roll lube is my favorite. I’ve got a hold-dozen bottles of other brands that I’m too cheap to throw out or give away. I sue those when the conditions are crappy and I know I’ll do a full blown chain scrubbing afterwords.

[Cosmic Kid]

#36612

Sonic cleaning is not a major pain if you happen to have the gear or know a guy. And it really works, but frankly is overkill on bicycle parts.

There is nothing better than showing up on a group ride with a sparkling, silver drivetrain that is completely silent when pedaling. That alone means it is not “overkill”.

[longslowdistance]

#36613

Fair enough.

[6ix]

#36614

What CK said. It’s one of the simple joys in life. I barely ever ride with anyone let alone a group but take great pride in having all of my bikes – almost – always sparkling clean and silent. It allows you to hear that “whoosh, whoosh, whoosh” of your tire’s contact patch against fresh asphalt when putting the hammer down. Pure bliss.

[Dale]

#36615

What is this fresh asphalt you speak of?

#chip&seal
#gravelgalore
#lowgastax=crap4roads

[79pmooney]

#36616

Dale, every new development in Oregon gets fresh asphalt. All the new streets and driveways and all the utility trenches into the old streets. We get to ride the utility trenches while looking at the driveways.

[Orange Crush]

#36617

Posted By Cosmic Kid on 04/01/2020 02:38 PM

Sonic cleaning is not a major pain if you happen to have the gear or know a guy. And it really works, but frankly is overkill on bicycle parts.

There is nothing better than showing up on a group ride with a sparkling, silver drivetrain that is completely silent when pedaling. That alone means it is not “overkill”.

My low budget low tech infrequent cleaning approach is silent.

[smokey52]

#36618

Coming back to this, and not as a fool, have any of you used diesel fuel as a chain cleaner/lubricant? It’s higher in carbon number than mineral spirits so is less volatile than gasoline or kerosene. The coffee can/shake method has been described using mineral spirits with 10/30 oil added in the old VN forum. Would this work with diesel?

[longslowdistance]

#36619

IIUC, diesel is the go to for Europe pro mechancis. Cheap, plentiful, easily available, and has some staying power in Euro wet. They even degrease the bikes with it. The Euro peloton may have a distinct fragrance.

[Nick A]

#36620

Who knew there were so many methods? LOL.

I use an old “disposable” tupperware”. I put chanin in it, laying flat, but kind of wound into a spiral, so it fits. I put an inch of orange citrus degreaser (by the gallon at big box Home Depot, etc.). Clean with an old tooth brush. Let dry on onld rags or paper towls. Lube.

Nick

[longslowdistance]

#36621

Endorsement here.
With additional applications and wiping off excess for the first few rides to follow.

[Orange Crush]

#36622

Now I’m curious about that Euro wet. Apparently Euro has some redeeming qualities but we had a European barista in our office once and quite frankly the brews it produced were terrible. I would say undrinkable.

I seem to recall we had some petrol based stuff to clean our greasy hands (that’s probably why we have that peculiar smell) but don’t recall using it on bike chain. Anyway KMC recommends taking it easy on degreasers and the like or at least not soak your chain in it. They should know a thing or two about chains.

[smokey52]

#36623

Nick, what’s your lube of choice?
longslowdistance, which treatment are you endorsing? Orange citrus or diesel? (not sure of the antecedent)

[Orange Crush]

#36624

Smokey… https://www.kmcchain.eu/MAINTENANCE

[Nick A]

#36625

Pro link Chain Lube by ProGold Lubricants.
progoldmfr.com

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