chain cleaner liquids?: Triathlon Forum: Slowtwitch Forums (2024)

What's a good chain cleaner liquid that is cheap. Something you can buy at Target or the local Grocery store.

Jun 27, 11 12:15

Jun 27, 11 12:35

Used to use some citrus stuff that came in ~64oz at walm*rt for about $4. Now I use Pro Link for cleaning and lubing, and a 7 buck bottle lasts me months anyway.

-Physiojoe

-Physiojoe
Instagram: @thephysiojoe
Cycling coach, Elite racer on Wooster Bikewerks p/b Wootown Bagels

Jun 27, 11 12:39

ProLink is good stuff. I use SimpleGreen Non-Corrosive (Blue) for anything that I feel like giving a good soak.

I've had good luck w/ Pedro's Citrus Degreaser as well.

Jun 27, 11 12:48

Orange-Citrus-Biodegradable-Heavy Duty ZEP.

Cleaning supplies at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

Jun 27, 11 15:42

Jun 28, 11 2:57

+1

Jun 28, 11 8:19

Jun 28, 11 8:58

Jun 28, 11 9:45

I use Simple Green. I don't soak anything, just clean, rinse, and re-lubricate. Works just fine.

I also tend to keep my drivetrains in pretty good shape and replace chains at respectable intervals. So if I'm doing any damage by using this stuff my chains haven't been around long enough to notice.

Jun 28, 11 9:52

Why can't you use carb cleaner or brake cleaner? These chains don't have o-rings like motorcycle or dirt bike chains.

Jun 28, 11 9:54

Why do you say don't soak?

__________________________________________________
Hunter Robinson
http://www.twitter.com/el_slice
http://www.elslicerideco.com
Sponsored by: http://www.92fifty.com

Jun 28, 11 10:01

Jun 28, 11 12:11

Jun 28, 11 12:17

So then, what would you use for a soak?

__________________________________________________
Hunter Robinson
http://www.twitter.com/el_slice
http://www.elslicerideco.com
Sponsored by: http://www.92fifty.com

Jun 28, 11 12:35

Jun 28, 11 12:36

Jun 28, 11 12:51

Rust? seriously?

I hate the "lube" on new chains and soak them in SimpleGreen for roughly 24hrs to get rid of that crap. Rinse, dry and then install my new fave... Squirt Lube http://www.squirtlube.com/

Once you get rid of all the old lube, i find it pretty easy to maintain.

ymmv

Oct 20, 11 11:53

It has been discussed numerious times whether to leave the factory lube on the chain or to remove it – I ran across this today from Bike Rumor. It is an interview with one of Shimano’s main tech guys regarding the stock chain lube –

(http://www.bikerumor.com/...erview-with-shimano/ )

BikeRumor: What is Shimano’s official stance on the chain lube that comes stock on a shimano chain? Is it actually a lube, or a grease? And is it best to leave it on until the chain gets noisy and relube, or strip it right away and relube before riding?


Nick: So that brings us to lubrication. I mentioned that the chain wears because of friction as the chain moves to wrap around a gear. Well, that friction is reduced if there is lube on the chain. If there is dirt mixed in, the lube makes a bigger difference in reducing friction. If there is water mixed in, the lube helps displace the water. The grease that comes on a Shimano chain is applied at the factory to the individual pieces before the chain is assembled. The grease does a better job of reducing friction than aftermarket chain lubes and it lasts longer. The main reason we use liquid chain lube, whether it is one that stays liquid or a dry lube that has a solid lubricant in a liquid carrier (like a PTFE lube) is because we need to get the lube on a part that is not accessible without disassembling the chain. So the best thing to do when installing a new chain is to leave the factory grease on, not apply any other lube, ride until it wears out and then start applying liquid chain lube. In dusty conditions you can wipe off the outside of the new chain with a rag that is wet with a gentle degreaser to keep dirt from sticking to the grease. The factory grease also keeps the chain nice and quiet. After soaking a chain in degreaser and then lubing the chain with liquid lubricant the chain gets noticeably louder.

Oct 20, 11 12:02

Oct 20, 11 12:28

Oct 20, 11 13:53

I use the varsol tank at work, gets ALL the dirt out, the blow dry, and lube

res, non verba

Oct 20, 11 14:08

Oct 20, 11 15:10

Oct 20, 11 16:31

here is the simplest, cheapest way to clean a chain.

assuming you have a connex link on it like you should

1) drink a 20 oz pop or gatorade

2) drop your chain into the empty bottle

3) squirt a bit of dawn soap and fill with 1/3 with water

4) shake it like a polaroid picture

5) dump it out and repeat a couple times until its clean

6) lay it out to dry for a bit

7) re-install and lube

8) repeat every 2 weeks

its what all the cool mechanics do. unless you have a parts washer but then you wouldnt be asking.

who's smarter than you're? i'm!