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MountainBikeReview.com's Forum Archives - General Discussion
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Can't get that chain totally clean, Help! (5 posts)
|  Can't get that chain totally clean, Help! | kowui
May 19, 2002 11:17 AM | | What i've been doing is spraying degreaser, letting it soak, then running the chain through a rag and brushing it with a Parktool gear brush. I get most of the dirt and grime off it, but there's always crap on the inside of the links still left. Is there any way to get a chain really clean without taking it off the bike? Do those clip-on chain cleaners work well?
Also, do I have to use a Sram chain with a Powerlink? And is it ok to use Sram chains with Shimano parts?
Thanks a lot |
| Do this- | pluto
May 19, 2002 12:19 PM | | Take your chain off. I have a SRAM chain with a powerlink, so its easy for me.
Find a bottle. I have been using a popcorn kernel bottle, but probably a 20 ounce soda bottle would also work.
Put the chain in the bottle, pour in degreaser (I use Simple Green),
screw the top on, and shake. Alot.
Then let it sit for maybe 20 or more minutes, shakeit up some more, let it sit, then fill with hot water and shake again. Dump it out, and keep filling it with hot water, shaking and dumping until the water comes out clean. Put some cold water in last, so oyu don't burn your self on the chain.
Fish it out by tipping the bottle upside down or sticking a coat hanger in to pull it out.
This method works very well for me. |
| Works great for me too (nm) | Ditto
May 20, 2002 8:33 AM | | nm |
| I do exactly the same... | JBurton
May 19, 2002 2:57 PM | | though I do not believe that it is always necessary to remove the chain to clean it. Shimano chains especially shouldn't be taken off very often. Only every couple or months do I think you need to remove a chain to clean it, unless you got it really, really dirty, or unless you ride every single day. Then, you may want to clean it more often. Then again, if you were riding this much, you would be getting new chains quite often, too.
Those chain cleaning machines work pretty well, also.
You may be able to use a powerlink with a Shimano chain, but why would you want to? Shimano chains are far inferior to Sram and Wipperman (Connex) chains, in my opinion. I just switched to a Connex chain on my bike because my old Shimano chain kept breaking. It now shifts crisper and better than even with a new Shimano chain. |
| re: Can't get that chain totally clean, Help! | tlg
May 20, 2002 6:06 AM | | Those clip on chain cleaning machines work OK. But they don't really get the chain clean inside. They can actually push small particals of dirt inside the rollers. I use one and fill it with Simple Green.
After a few times I remove the chain and soak it in kerosene, gas, or Simple Green overnight. This is the best way to remove all the grime inside.
You should use an Sram chain with the powerlink. I've heard of problems using it with a shimano chain. For the price you'll pay for the powerlink alone, it'll only be a few more dollars for a complete Sram chain which comes with the link.
And an Sram chain works PERFECTLY with shimano parts. |
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