what degreaser do you use when cleaning your chain and casse

[arand18]

Hi there need to clean my chain and cassette just wondering what degreaser you guys use to clean them.

thanks

[Ozkaban]

Lots of different opinions on this one... I use citrus degreaser from the auto store - a big 5l bottle that didn't cost a lot.

I only use it when it's really gunky. Normally a wipe and re-lube is enough.

[Ross]

Kerosene and rinse off with water

[Abby]

Kerosene and rinse off with water

I use a small bucket, take the chain off (I have a Wipperman connex link so its easy) and cassette off, pur a small amount of kero into the bucket, and wash the chain and the cassette (seperately).

Give them a quick wash in soap & water after (using what I've just washed the rest of the bike with). Rinse them in water, and let them dry...

Takes a couple of minutes...

Cheers,
Abby

[greyhoundtom]

A thorough spray with WD40.......a quick hit with the hose.......a wipe with a rag and re-oil the chain.

Takes about 2 minutes

[gururug]

I've been on kero....... will make a move though to something more environmentally friendly though....something like this http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Cleaner-D ... B005OK4QII in spray bottle.

[Crittski]

Citrus cleaner with ParkTool chain cleaner. It cleans the cassette if you run the chain through the full range of the cassette from high to low, then hose off, towel off, wait to dry and relube. I do this after every ride for fun...

[il padrone]

I used to use kero, rinsing the chain in an old soft drink bottle. I have also used WD40 - spraying it closely onto the chain as you rotate it - surprisingly very effective. I would still use the kero wash if the chain was very dirty, but since I've used Purple Extreme lube this rarely happens.

In the past year I have been running the chain with the original manufacturer's lube then wiping it down and reapplying PE, then wiping off any excess. This seems to have worked very well - the chain has stayed clean and well-lubed. I've been rotating a couple of chains on the drivetrain.

[tallywhacker]

an interesting page on chain cleaning and lubing here. Like the idea of using a chain cleaner for lubricating

[igstar]

A thorough spray with WD40.......a quick hit with the hose.......a wipe with a rag and re-oil the chain.

Takes about 2 minutes

WD-40 is a big no-no for bike chains in my books. It will reduce the ability of the chain lubricant to properly stay on the metal whe it's applied and unless you can control where the WD-40 is sprayed, any inadvertedly affected area will also be impacted.
http://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/

[gururug]

A thorough spray with WD40.......a quick hit with the hose.......a wipe with a rag and re-oil the chain.

Takes about 2 minutes

WD-40 is a big no-no for bike chains in my books. It will reduce the ability of the chain lubricant to properly stay on the metal whe it's applied and unless you can control where the WD-40 is sprayed, any inadvertedly affected area will also be impacted.
http://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/

In theory that's true. In practice, better to have the gunk out than in, and impact of WD40 is minimal in the larger scheme of things. It is not the best product for the job and i'm glad you reminded us of why it may be a poorer choice for most.

[missinglink]

I use kerosene. Goes back to the days when I was on the spanners where it was the cleaning agent of choice for mechanical parts, including automotive timing chains. Kerosene also had mild lubricating properties.

I put about a litre in an ice cream container and let the chain soak in it for a while. Then use an old toothbrush to scrub off the chunky bits and allow the chain to hang dry for a couple of hours or wipe down with a clean, lint free cloth to get the bulk of the fluid off.

The dirty kerosene can be poured back into a bottle and allow it to sediment out over a period of time for reuse later. If it gets to dirty for reuse I let it sit in the open container to evaporate off over a couple of weeks leaving just the gunk to scrape out once it’s all gone.

[RonK]

Supercheap Autos Koala Kare degreaser. Biodegradable. Washes away with water. $12.99 per 5l.

[so blue]

Diesel

[birdbrain]

I use turps with a soft brush on the chain then wash the bike, chain and cassete. I lubricate the chain sometimes with rock n roll and sometimes with sewing machine oil. Sometimes I just wipe the chain over with a rag to get the gunk off when it's been raining. I also have some citris degreaser and use it on the odd occasion.

[logancalder]

Australian Export from Supercheap Auto. $2.20 a can.

[greyhoundtom]

Australian Export from Supercheap Auto. $2.20 a can.

I did try that stuff and accidentally sprayed a little on the rear alloy rim, and when I wiped it off it left ugly black blotches that were a pain to polish out again.

[RonK]

By the way, any of you budding bike mechanics out there who are lucky enough to have shed, and have a few bikes to maintain, might be interested in one of these parts cleaning machines. Pretty good value for $77.

[Mulger bill]

Kero. Filter, settle then reuse. If I'm in a hurry to get moving again, rinse in metho to remove last traces of kero so it dries quicker. Purple Extreme on top and all's quiet again...

[il padrone]

Australian Export from Supercheap Auto. $2.20 a can.

You use beer ??

[Aushiker]

Australian Export from Supercheap Auto. $2.20 a can.

Damn carbon tax Last lot I got was $2.00 a can.

Andrew

[bychosis]

Rock and roll lube. Clean, lube in one. Put it on, spin the chain, wipe off excess nothing more. The only chains I've ever cleaned are those off restoration bikes, ie old, filthy and stiff, then i will use what ever is lying around, usually petrol. All regularly used bikes get the rock n roll treatment.

[master6]

Pay attention, I have told you this one hundred times:-


GELIGNITE

[durilium]

Export degreaser and a 40mm paint brush, i spray the degreaser onto the paintbrush and clean the cassette with it and then use rock'n'roll red for the chain, i get comments all the time how disgusting clean my drivetrain looks

[gorilla monsoon]

I must ask the fellow at the bike shop what he uses on my bikes.....