If you want to get more performance out of your bike, you can clean your bike chain without spending a lot of money. You don't need a lot of time or a professional bicycle repair shop. With some practical cleaning techniques, you can prevent expensive wear, poor shifting, rough pedaling, and wasted efficiency. In addition, with such preventative maintenance you ensure that you have to carry out complete bike maintenance less often. Follow these steps and instructions to keep your drivetrain clean and pristine on a regular basis.
Before you clean your bike chain
The chain on your bike says a lot about the adventures you had with it on your last ride. Stones, mud or pollen clumps from the spring blossoms can quickly make the mechanics dirty and significantly reduce the performance of your bike. Therefore, keeping your drivetrain clean should always be a priority. Not only will your machines look good and function properly, but you will also save money by preventing premature wear and tear. So there are easy ways to keep your chain and related components clean and lubricated. The best part is that with the right accessories and some basic knowledge you can do everything yourselfBicycle at homecan do.
Additionally, remember that your bike chain affects more than just your performance and efficiency. It also weaves through a number of components throughout the drivetrain, including chainrings, chain catchers, cassette sprockets and jockey wheels. What's more, a dirty chain can do more than just wear down your performance numbers, it could also ruin your drivetrain, which with the global shortage of bike components means staying on top of cleaning is more important than ever.
Use the appropriate cleaning products
The first step in cleaning your bike chain should be choosing a cleaning agent, such as dishwashing liquid or a bike-specific degreaser. You don't actually need anything special to get the job done. Accordingly, you can even use dishwashing detergent from the supermarket. However, some commercial degreasers can remove all of the lubricant from inside the chain rollers. This cannot then be replaced without removing the chain and immersing it in a lubricant bath. So you shouldn't clean your bicycle chain too thoroughly so that you don't strip it of its factory lubricant.
Companies also make brushes just for this purpose and even devices that fit over bike chains to clean them. Any type of cleaning or scrubbing brush works well for this. In a pinch, you can even use an old toothbrush. The best cleaning method is to use a long-bristled dishwashing brush, although toilet brushes also work very well.
Follow simple steps and clean your bike chain
- Shift gears so that the chain is at one end of the chainrings. Apply plenty of soap or degreaser to the brush and thoroughly scrub all gears except the one with the chain.
- Next, slide the chain down to the other end and clean the remaining chainrings.
- After you've done this, it's time to thoroughly clean the chainrings. To do this, you can let the chain fall off the chainring. As with the sprocket package, apply enough soap or degreaser to the brush and scrub the chainrings with it.
- You can now clean your bicycle chain. If you have more than one chainring, switch your chain to the largest.
- Then apply a generous amount of soap or degreaser and scrub all sides of the chain until clean. Scrub the chain side plates using the chainring as a surface to hold the chain against.
- Once everything is scrubbed clean, rinse your drivetrain with a gentle stream of clean water.
- Avoid using a high-pressure hose, which can blow water into areas you don't want.
Drivetrain care after chain cleaning
Your chain may be clean now, but you're not done yet. Before putting your bike back into storage, you should clean the bike chain and dry it as much as possible before applying a fresh coat of chain lubricant. This way you can prevent the parts from rusting. You can use a leaf blower or air compressor to dry everything off before applying lubricant. Apply this generously and let it take effect for a few minutes. Afterwards, wipe off any excess lubricated areas.
You should wipe off as much excess chain lube as possible. You should also make sure that there is lubrication between the chainrings and rollers. However, there shouldn't be too much of it on the outside where it can absorb dirt and grime. This is a simple and effective cleaning method that you can use without having to remove your chain. Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong with hiring a professional chain cleaner every now and then and replacing the chain more often.
More cleaning tips
Cleaning your chain frequently and refilling it with fresh lubricant will ensure a long lifespan that can save you a fortune. Additionally, it requires relatively little effort if you do this regularly. Don't bother with the soapy water at first. Getting things all wet and soapy first will only reduce the effectiveness of the degreaser. So always degrease first. Never put fresh chain oil on a dirty chain. It will just turn into a sticky, horrible mess and will be much harder to clean in the long run, as well as doing untold damage in terms of sealing in the dirt, which will wear out your drivetrain much quicker.
Do not overapply chain lubricant. Modern products are very efficient, so you don't have to pour gallons of the stuff. As a good starting point, apply lubricant between the lower idler wheel and the chainrings. This should be in the same place where you attached the chain cleaner. Apply a steady stream for approximately 5 turns of the crank. Finally, avoid applying chain lube immediately before riding. It is best to apply to a clean chain at least the night before a long ride so that the lubricant can penetrate deep into the links and take hold. If you pour it on and start riding straight away, it's likely that most of it will splatter all over your bike frame and wheels, not to mention the risk of dirtying the disc brake.
You might also be interested in:Getting your bike fit after winter (+ free checklist)
