Cleaning your bike chain is like good dental hygiene — regular cleaning will minimize problems with your chain and help it last longer.
You’ll need: a bucket, dish soap (e.g., Dawn), a sponge, two old brushes (e.g., toothbrush, nail brush, or Park Tool bicycle chain cleaner — the bristles from the brushes dig deep into chain’s bushings and links lifting off the dirt), lube, rag, newspaper or cardboard, music, and a beverage.
The Prep
For stubborn grease and dirt, you’ll also need a degreaser (e.g., Muc-Off Degreaser), a small plastic container, and an old paint brush.
Do this outside! Preferably in a driveway or area where little damage can be done to the surface. Your lawn is not recommended.
- The best way to clean the chain is to place your bike on a bike stand. If you don’t own a bike stand, the next best thing is to turn the bike upside down or lean it against a sturdy surface.
- Keep the wheels on the bike while cleaning the chain and shift the chain to the largest chainring.
- Fill a bucket with hot water and pour in a few drops of dish soap. Note: High-pressure hosing your bike is not recommended as water can seep inside the bottom bracket, wheel hubs, headset, and pedals, damaging the bearings, which are packed with grease.
- Place newspapers or cardboard under the bike’s chain to catch the grease and oil spills.
Cleaning Your Chain
- Dip the sponge into the soapy water and wash the chain. Again, as you do this keep the wet sponge from dripping water into the bottom bracket. Rotate the chain by turning the cranks. See Image #1.
- Clean the chain.*
- Next, dip the toothbrushes or nail brushes into the bucket to get them nice and soapy. With one hand, place the chain between the brushes and, with the other hand, rotate the crank. Continue until the chain looks clean and free of grime.
- If you own Park Tool’s bicycle cleaner, pour a small amount of the soapy water into the cleaner’s reservoir. Clip the cleaner gadget between the chain and use the other hand to turn the cranks. See Image #2.
- Clean the jockey wheels: Hold a rag and squeeze the teeth of the jockey wheels between your index finger and thumb as you turn the cranks.1
- Clean the cassette: Slip a rag between each cassette and work it back and forth until each cog is clean.2 You can also use a ‘floss’ to dig between each cassette (see Have you flossed your bike lately?)
- Wipe the derailleurs with a rag.
- Rinse: Once you’re satisfied with the chain’s cleanliness and your grimy hands, pour out the dirty water and refill the bucket with clean warm water. Dip the sponge into the bucket and wipe the soap off the chain, cassette, and jockey wheels. Make sure to wring all the soap off the sponge first.
- Wipe the chain dry with a clean rag.
- Apply chain lube.
- The recommended method of lubing is to apply a small drop of lube to each link. There is no need to be overzealous with lubing the chain! Wipe off any excess lube, but not too much. Let it sit overnight. The following day, wipe off any excess lube with a rag. See Image #3.
- Jockey wheels have a small flat washer in the center. Add one small drop of Tri Flow or chain lube between this washer and the jockey wheel. Wipe the excess oil with a rag. See Image #4.
- Finish that beverage you started, dance a little, and clean-up!
- & 2. Zinn, L. (2005). The Art of Road Bike Maintenance (2nd ed., p. 29), Boulder, CO: Velo Press.
* For a stubborn and an absolutely nasty chain, you’ll need a little assistance before washing it with soap and water:
- Make sure to wear gloves when using degreaser! Pour a small amount of Muc-Off in the plastic container and, with the paint brush, spread a thin coat of degreaser on the chain while rotating the cranks.
- Spread the degreaser at the bottom of the chain. This will keep the degreaser liquid from seeping into the bottom bracket. Allow the degreaser to “cook” on the chain for a few minutes.
- Drink your beverage and dance a little to the music. After a few minutes, you can start cleaning your chain.
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