basic question? chain cleaning? 'n' lubing?

gazbut · Post by **gazbut** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:08 pm

hi all
really basic question for ya!
how do you clean your chain?
then when clean
what do you lube it with?

cheers
gazbut

chuxsta · Post by **chuxsta** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:59 pm

cleaning the chain depends on how often you ride and what conditions and how often you lube the chain i suppose..
over a period of time the lube attracts dirt and all sort and each applications goes on top and the cycle continues. if you dont ride that often chain cleaning is not really an issue.. maybe once a year, if that.

i ususaly, if needed, clean my chain when i change my back tyre. obviously if the chain is not to grubby i wont bother.

and i clean it by spraying it with degreasent all over and lie it in a large old washing up bowl let it soak through..
have only ever been really anal about this when i have had a nice pretty coloured chain.
and rinse it WELL.... any degreasent left on will just repell any oil that hits that spot.

when i lube my chain hold a cloth under the chain as im spraying round give the wheel a spin and after its had time to penertrate a good 30mins or so i will go back over the chain with the same cloth to remove as much excess lube as possible.

Drac · Post by **Drac** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:23 pm

generally twice a year with a chain cleaner/degunger/degreaser and toothbrush ( currently in trouble for using daughters battery toothbrush)

I'm a convert to wax. 70ml can easily does a chain and sod all fling.
old bit of cardboard, shape it into a U and while back wheel is up liberally coat chain from the back.(cardboard collects the excess)

adfski · Post by **adfski** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:36 pm

I found this lube a while ago and I'm totally stoked with it dude!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 2BI%252BSS

Seriously tho it is a very thin liquid that goes on a treat, then the solvent evaporates leaving a dry very thin residue that protects the chain really well.

I read another review by some guy who said he hasn't had to re-adjust his chain since he's been using it.

I had noticed this myself but I didn't believe it was the lube alone until now. It doesn't pick up shite - cos it's so fine and I have used it every day to go to work over the winter every 150-200 mile.

Just given it a good sping clean and the year old chain and sprocket seem perfect.

gazbut · Post by **gazbut** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:59 pm

cheers everyone!
gonna give the wurth a try adfski
cheers
gazbut

RedStormV · Post by **RedStormV** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:32 am

As for cleaning, Parrafin or some good qual degreaser.

Or you could try one of these babies - I've heard good reports on them but not tried them myself - yet

KettenMax

Lubing, I'm with adfski the Wurth High Performance Dry lube is awesome, zero fling so no cleaning of tyres etc after.
Probably a tad more expensive than your so called 'non fling' alternatives - but Wurth (get it?) the extra pennies.

Never used Scottoiler - originally brought out for trials crossers etc I believe.
I have a friend with a Bandit that swears by them though. He reckons it extends his chain life. Might get one for me Dommy and see how it goes.

Graeme

*

Jbrebel · Post by **Jbrebel** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:47 pm

RedStormV wrote:As for cleaning, Parrafin or some good qual degreaser.

I use a parafin soaked rag and tooth brush to get the really crappy bits off. Relube the chian well and use some graphited grease to protect the outers of the links from the elements.