Do you ride and expect your bike to perform well every time you jump on? Your chain is a huge part of your bikes performance so it needs to be looked after and cleaned.
Bike chains are made up of lots of little components. Each of those components needs to be flexible and move freely and smoothly to function well. A bike chain need to move freely to be able to;
- rotate around the chain teeth of the chain rings, sprockets and jockey wheels as you pedal
- move up and down the chain teeth of the chain rings and sprockets when you change gears
However, bike chains are up against it as they are exposed to dirt, grit and water because they are low to the ground, they are not enclosed and often have a lubricated surface that provides a great magnet for things to stick to. Dirt, grit and water can cause all sorts of problems for your chain like the links becoming stiff, damaged and rusting. Doesn’t sound good, does it? It’s not, but the solution is simple – clean your bike chain and bike regularly. Cleaning your chain should be quick and easy. It is the most important part to keep your bike working well.
General Chain Cleaning Advice:
- Wash by hand. You are dealing with small components so it is best if we keep the hose away from it. A hose will do little to clean your chain anyway.
- Clean anything on the bike that the chain comes in contact with (see the photo above). That is the chain teeth of chain rings, sprockets and jockey wheels. Otherwise when you ride with your clean chain it will contact the dirty chainrings, sprockets and jockey wheels and your chain will not be clean and sparkly anymore.
- Your chain is covered in lubricant so to clean it effectively you need to break down the lubricant and remove everything that has stuck to it. There are special cleaners on the market called Chain Degreasers that will do this job. Some of them are made from nasty chemicals, we recommend biodegradable cleaners, several NZ companies make great ones.
- The more often you clean the easier the job will be. Clean before any big days or trips. Clean more often when the weather is causing muddy, dirty tracks.
Method 1 – Using brushes, cloths and a cleaner/chain degreaser
What equipment do you need? (Items found in goRide Everyday Bike & Chain Clean & Lube Kit)
- Bike Cleaning Brush – we use a bike brush for its long durable bristles to get to the hard to reach areas
- Toothbrush – for any residue dirt after using the large brush
- Bucket of water, soak brush in water before use
- A specific chain cleaner. We use and recommend Chain Clean degreaser
- Alternative Cleaning Agent – Biodegradeable dish washing liquid in a bucket of water. A Spray Bike Cleaner can also be used. Spraying cleaner directly into hard to reach areas.
- Rags
- A dry rag to wipe the chain clean (after the degreaser) is applied
- A dry rag to wipe off excess lube (you MUST lube after you clean).
Cleaning Process
- Set up. Make sure you have the equipment you need. The bike is placed upside down. You need to be able to turn the pedals so you can apply the chain cleaner to the top of the chain of all the links.
- Clean your bike chain.
- Apply the chain degreaser to the top of all of the chain links as you rotate your pedals backwards – remember make sure you apply cleaner to all the links and leave for a few minutes.
- Wipe cleaner off with a dry rag paying attention to ever link.
- To help remove any remaining dirt and grit – soak the bike brush in the bucket of water with detergent or use the spray on bottle. Scrub the chain with the bike brush and then the tooth brush and the rag to remove any stubborn build up.
- After care. Wash off with fresh water. You may need to empty your bucket if it contained detergent and fill with fresh water. Leave to drip dry. (You can dry with a rag to quicken this process). Lubricate your chain and remove excess lubricant with a rag… See Lubing your bike chain. Remember to get prepared for your next chain clean so clean the brushes and the rags.
Method 2 – Chain scrub tool and a chain degreaser
What equipment do you need? (Items found in goRide Chain – Clean and Lube Kit)
- Bike Chain Scrubber
- A Cleaning Agent. Chain degreaser
- Bike Chain Lubricant
- 1 dry rag to wipe off excess lubricant.
Cleaning Process
- Set up. Make sure you have the equipment you need. The bike is placed upright or upside down . You need to be able to turn the pedals so you can move the chain through the chain scrub tool.
- Clean your bike chain. Place degreaser and water in the chain scrubber at a ratio 1:10. Put in more degreaser if you chain is heavily soiled. Place the chain scrubber over the chain and rotate the pedals backwards making sure that all the links of the chain go through the tool, repeat 3 times. Leave to drip dry (you can use a rag to dry and quicken this process).
- After care. Once dry lubricate your chain and remove excess lubricant with your rag. (See lubing your bike chain.) Remember to get prepared for your next chain clean so clean your chain scrubber and rags.
Having a spray bottle is a great way to get cleaner straight into hard to reach places – your drive chain is a great example of this.
A simple way to clean between your sprockets is with a cloth.
Once your chain is dry you will need to apply lube.
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