Bike Cleaners/Lubricants.... (merged threads)

Discussion in 'The Workshop' started by Dino Brown, Sep 24, 2008.

  1. SheDevil

    SheDevil I just ride my bike....

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    Unless you've taken apart and actually cleaned your own drive train you may never have this experience. I'll tell you...White Lightening and wax lubricants on MTB's....are a freaking nightmare. It took me about 90 minutes to clean my cassette and drivetrain a week ago....it sucks. You have to use harsh cleaners and scrub the crap out of it...great on a road bike...sucks in the dirt.

    IMO: Rock and Roll :bang: but...I'm just a girrrrrrrrl. :p
     
  2. Shu

    Shu Active Member

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    This is why I hire StevieB to clean my bike....:beer::drunk:
     
  3. Alan_Eger

    Alan_Eger New Member

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    Here is what works. Tri-Flo. For your chains housing cables etc. and for your cassettes chainrings use Tri-Flo Sprays.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 1, 2010
  4. RustyIron

    RustyIron Rob S.

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    Chain-L is available directly from the manufacturer at http://www.chain-L.com I think it the best I've used, even better than my own custom concoction. Also, it's petroleum based, not wax.
     
  5. leondelmonte

    leondelmonte Member

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    cleaning the chain

    One thing I hate is having to lube a dirty chain, I hate the noise it makes when it goes dry, and hate the noise it makes when grinding dirt.
    I clean my chain once, or every 2 weeks, depending how much I ride, so I have been experimenting with cheap and easy ways to clean the chain.

    1. I tried some of those spirit cleaners, and it worked great, the down side was that my hands would smell like gasoline at the end, but the chain came out clean, and also the cost of it was not so efficient if you calculate how much you spend on it over a period of time.

    2. Self lube/cleaner type of stuff, which supposedly cleans, and lubes at the same time. which in my opinion does neither good. they do work ok, but not great. the wax residue seems to wear out fast, and the cost is not so efficient.

    3. The cheapest, and easiest, and most convenient for ME so far, has been dishwashet detergent.
    It amazes me how chean the chain comes out using it.
    Here is how Ive done it.
    I grab an emty bottle of water, or gatorade, throw the chain in, throw in some of the detergent, and fill it with water, let it sit for a couple of minutes, then I shake it for about 10-20 seconds, and drain the dirty water.
    I rinse 2 more times, and the chain comes out super clean. Cost= cheap, I already got it at home, and tons of it

    Now, this has been my experience, and just wanted to share it with some of you who might had been looking for a way to clean the chain.
     
  6. NipomoGuy

    NipomoGuy Tink's first sponsor

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    i do that same thing with the dishsoap and bottle... never going back!

    be careful though, sometimes you can lose the roller off of the end of the chain!
     
  7. moka

    moka Moka Was Here!

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    just make sure you dry it out completely before lubricating the chain and using it.
     
  8. NipomoGuy

    NipomoGuy Tink's first sponsor

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    i use the toaster oven :bang:
     
  9. quikflip27

    quikflip27 It Hurts So GOOD!

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    That's a good idea.
    Jw, has your significant other ever caught you baking your chain?
     
  10. jeepr84

    jeepr84 Member

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    I spray my (removed) chain with Oil Eater. I let it set in a bowl while I tinker on the rest of my bike. Then I rinse it in scalding hot water and dry it completely. leaves my chain super clean and my drivetrain seems to last twice as long as my buddies.

    Oil Eater is magic...Costco used to carry it. It is safe for all components, works on laundry and I use it on everyting but pancakes....and no, I don't sell it or own stock in the company.

    ***Correction, per Werldcup (who was spot on), safe for pancakes...NOT safe for extended exposure to aluminum parts***

    http://www.oileater.com/CleanerDegreaser.html
     
  11. Abui

    Abui Active Member

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    After the washing and rinsing I give the chain a final cycle in rubbing alcohol. That displaces enough water so it dries quickly.
     
  12. DirtymikeTDB

    DirtymikeTDB Guest

    The bottle and soap method works great for the budget minded. The chain gang is a great method for those that dont like removing their chain. Alcohol is your friend when cleaning bike parts, very quick and easy way to dry alot of parts post wash....
     
  13. thomaswildchild

    thomaswildchild Active Member

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    im gonna have to try it.
     
  14. One_Track_Mind

    One_Track_Mind New Member

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    simple green
     
  15. Rondo

    Rondo Member

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    Oil Eater is NOT safe for extended use on aluminum parts. It will dissolve them just like oven cleaner, its what I used to take anodizing off.
     
  16. calzone

    calzone Banned

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  17. bosco

    bosco New Member

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    +1. I clean a new chain with simple green, then use White Lightening. Chain wipes up clean after every ride with a shop towel or brush, then re-apply. No noise.
     
  18. DirtymikeTDB

    DirtymikeTDB Guest

    For those using simple green on your chains....... Make sur eyou rinse it very well..... Its been well proven that SG will etch and weaken yoru chain
     
  19. afgenkuong

    afgenkuong Guest

    Thanks for teaching me how to clean my chain. I always thought I had to buy one of those chain cleaners where you turn the crank on the plastic device to clean it.
     
  20. bosco

    bosco New Member

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    Good point, should have mentioned the rinsing well part. #-o
     

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