It’s Easy to Clean Your Bike Chain

Originally published on kylesbikes.com.
Copyright 2017 Kyles Bikes. Used with permission.
Author: Katherine Roccasecca

A clean and lubricated bike chain won’t make any noise. If your chain is squeaking or sounding gritty, that means you are both wasting energy and wearing out your chain. Since it’s easy to clean your bike chain (and kinda fun, too), just find a few minutes and get it done!

We’ll tell what you need and describe how to do it. Then, you may be surprised how much easier it is to ride your bike!

A Quick Relube

Anytime the chain isn’t running as smoothly as you like, give it a quick relube. To check, just grab the pedal with your hand and pedal backwards. You’ll quickly learn what a well-lubed chain feels like compared to one that’s wasting your energy.

What You Need

• A rag

• Some chain lube

We use Rock “N” Roll Gold at the shop. First, like many lubes, applying it lifts dirt out of the chain to the surface where you can wipe it off. Additionally, letting the lube sit before riding is not required, as it is with some lubes (though waiting will improve performance). Finally, Rock “N” Roll Gold is suitable for both road biking and mountain biking.

We do carry many other brands, so you can find a lube that works for you and the conditions you ride in.

How To

Lean the bike against the wall or put it in a bike stand. Make sure the pedals can spin without hitting anything.

Grab the chain with the rag on your left hand, and pedal backwards with your other hand to wipe any dust off the outside of the chain. Pinch each pulley wheel on the rear derailleur while pedaling to remove any dirt there. Then wipe the chain rings. (If you are removing chunks of gunk, skip down to “A Chain You Can Eat Off.”)

After wiping off the dust, apply the lube per the instructions on the bottle. Pedal backwards to work the lube in. You should be able to feel the action getting smoother. Finally, and this is important, grab the chain with the rag and pedal backwards to remove the dirt and excess lube from the surface of the chain. Excess lube will just attract more dirt.

A Chain You Can Eat Off

If you’ve been gravel riding or mountain biking... If you’ve been road riding in lousy weather... Or if it has just been a long time since you’ve cleaned your chain, you’ll have more grime built up than you can remove with a quick relube.

This is when we bring out the fun toys!

What You Need

• A rag

• Stiff bristled brush

• A chain cleaning tool

• Degreaser

• Some chain lube

For cleaning the cassette and chainrings, you can choose from many brushes designed specifically for bicycles or make do with an old toothbrush. A chain cleaning tool has a reservoir for holding the degreaser and built-in brushes that scrub your chain from all angles. We carry a variety of degreasers/chain cleaners for you to choose from.

How To

Lean the bike against the wall or put it in a bike stand. Make sure the pedals can spin without hitting anything.

Use the rag and brush to remove the worst of the dirt. Now is a good time to wash your whole bike from top to bottom. Use a bucket or a garden hose set to low pressure. (High pressure washing is a no-no because you’d likely get water into the hubs, bottom bracket, etc.—places where water does not belong.)

Open the chain cleaning tool and add the appropriate amount of degreaser—check the instructions that came with the tool or look for a “fill line.” Attach the tool to the chain and pedal backwards 30 or so times. Remove the tool. Wet the brush in some degreaser and scrub the cassette and chainrings. Fill the tool with water, reattach it, and pedal backwards again. Rinse the cassette and chainrings with water.

If the chain still looks dirty, repeat the degreasing and rinsing steps. Rinse until all the degreaser is removed.

Dry the chain with a clean rag. Leave the bike in the sun and wind to dry completely. An air compressor can speed the drying. Then make sure you apply plenty of fresh lube and work it into the chain.

Finally, enjoy your clean, fast, quiet ride!

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Note: This article is a reprint. “We” refers to Kyle’s Bikes. At the time of publication, they used Rock “N” Roll Gold at the shop. That said, I use it personally, and I recommend it.

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