Can i use degreaser on my bike chain

Yes, it does de-grease your chain well, but has a high odor, is messy and washes all the oil out between the links. You will also need some bottles, soft rags, such as old t-shirts, gloves, a wire clothes hanger, two bottles and a chain lubricant like the products mentioned above. Ideally, after reading this article you will go to your local bike store or go online and pick up a good quality lubricant as unfortunately, you cannot substitute this item and buying a good quality lubricant it a better investment in the long term.

The first step is to take pictures of your chain and the set up of your bicycle for quick reference later if you are not familiar with the mechanics of removing and replacing the chain.

You may need to do a second treatment of the degreaser for a deeper cleanse. You can remove the chain from your bike, slide the pin holding the link closed out of its slot to open the master link.

Once the master link is open, you can easily pull the chain fee by feeding it through the drivetrain. Once you have removed the chain put into the bottle with degreaser, fasten the lid and shake for a couple of minutes.

For a more thorough clean, you can leave for up to 20 minutes. Remove with the coat hanger hook, this prevents getting your hands dirty, then place the chain in the other bottle containing hot water for rinsing off the degreaser, dirt, grime, and dust — rinse it thoroughly and remove.

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When speed drivetrains were commonplace, the chains were typically designed to go on once and then removed only when worn out. Even a master link is best left alone. Again you are creating a weak link. For those with officially non-reusable links, SRAM and Shimano recommend using a brand-new joining link every time a chain is installed.

If you do decide to take the risk, a pair of master link pliers is the perfect tool to force these free. For older drivetrains, using 7, 8 or 9 speeds or those with re-useable or speed links , then this may be open to more debate. The majority of bicycle maintenance product brands, including Park Tool and Muc-Off, recommend the use of a chain-cleaning device.

Here, the device includes rotating brushes that work the degreaser through the chain in a controlled manner as it is back-pedalled past. This is done specifically to avoid running degreaser through your freehub and rear hub bearings, and is common practice among WorldTour race mechanics too. A side benefit is easy access to the derailleur pulley wheels, a notorious spot for gunk to build.

If your bike has disc brakes, then removing the wheel will also ensure oil-filled degreaser stays off your disc rotor. Taking it a step further, you can use a plastic bag and elastic band to seal your brake caliper. Smith of Friction Facts agrees with Jones and Sampson that using a chain-cleaning device is the best answer if the chain must stay on.

A slacked chain opens up the sliding surfaces and allows cleaner to flow through the internals more freely than a tensed chain. There are plenty of safer and healthier options that will get your chain suitably clean.

Jason Smith is all for cleaning chains off the bike. Join Bicycling now for the latest advice and tips! Your first step in cleaning your bike chain: Picking your cleaning agent, like a soap or bike-specific degreaser.

It removes all the lubricant from inside the chain rollers which cannot be replaced by just dripping lube on the surface of the chain—it would require removing the chain and soaking in a lube bath. You have lots of options here, so feel free to shop around, ask your local mechanic and riding buddies, or just experiment to see what you prefer. Bike-specific companies like Park Tool make brushes just for this purpose, and even devices that can fit over your chain to clean it.

But any kind of cleaning or scrub brush will do just fine. You can even use an old toothbrush in a pinch.