big chainring 

Why do you want to clean/degrease a chain? Dont you want to keep the chain lubed?

grayrest

The only part of the chain that needs to be lubricated is the inside of the rollers around the pins. Any lubrication on the outside or on the drivetrain teeth is just a place for dirt to collect and act like sandpaper. The problem is that the lubricant around the part of the chain that does need lubrication also collects dirt/metal shavings and is what actually wears the chain out. The idea behind degreasing a chain is to get all the lubricant off the of the chain and out of the rollers, taking the dirt with it. You then replace the lubricant, wipe down the outside, and strip all the gunk off the chainrings and cassette. The pictures in this thread are what the drivetrain looks like at the end of the process.

The necessity of this process is a matter of considerable debate but that's the idea behind what's going on here.

noodle soup

Just because Monoplaners are pretty

mercator

Nice pics you OCD bastids.
There was once a time when a thread like this would have had me out in the shed breathing solvent fumes, but when I got out there I decided to go for a ride instead.

rumrunn6

lol, was just getting inspired to go clean. thanks for talking me down. whew, that was close

NoWhammies

But if I for a ride, my chain will get dirty. You see the dilemma here don't you?

silverado8405

Don’t have any pictures right now but I clean mine every 2 weeks (approx 200 miles). I was using wax but switched to muc-off C3 dry and all I need is soap, water and a sponge and it gets all jice and sparkling clean. I have some of the regular muc-off wet lube and that doesn’t clean up with soap and wtaer real well despite claiming to be biodegradable and I haven’t found a reason to buy the C3 wet to try it out.

MSchott

Beautiful components. While I love my new Roubaix with 105 gear train and Axis brakes, it ain’t pretty or elegant.

f4rrest

What a coincidence.

I am awaiting the arrival of a new steam cleaner.

Going to try it on the chain. Will post results.

sdmc530

I love this thread. My OCD is so happy right now. I wax chains so mine usually looks pretty clean but these are just awesome to see.

sdmc530

beautiful bike! Except where the heck is the granny gear???!!! Dang

Dave Mayer

Cautionary message to the OCD cleaners out there. Someone gave me a recent gen Ultegra rear derailleur because it was 'sticky'.

Sticky indeed... upon a complete disassembly it was clear that every quantum of lubricant had been blown clean, presumably due to a dip in solvent.

The only worse treatment on a bike would have been spraying it with a pressure washer. Or driving at highway speeds in the rain with a bike on a rack. Both guaranteed to kill a bike in short order.

The only thing I use on the exterior of a bike is a damp rag. In cleaning my bike, I focus almost all of my efforts on the inside parts such as headsets, hubs and bottom bracket bearings.

GlennR

noodle soup

I don’t need no stinkin’ granny gear.

mac_flyer9

Clean drivetrain and Molten Speedwax applied to the chain. Hope it stays clean longer.

sdmc530

It absolutly will. MSW is great stuff! I really like it!

f4rrest

Ok, so this was a bust.

Steam only blew off most of the outer grime, but didn't thoroughly clean anything very greasy.

jadocs

Wet ride this morning on the rain bike. 19yr old bike and drivetrain using my quick wipe down method method described above.

Iride01 

If I'm getting 8000 plus out of a chain I just wipe the gunk off with a lube soaked or solvent soaked rag a few times a year, why would I want to spend time and money trying to eek a few more miles out of an 18 to 30 dollar part?

NoWhammies

That is very impressive. What lube are you using?

My chain/drive train looks good after I clean then. Then after my first ride the whole thing is a black mess again! I like the suggestion of using some rubbing alcohol between rides though. That might help break down the black mess for me between thorough cleanings.

jadocs

This is what I use. It leaves a protective coating reducing the ability for anything to stick to it. Since I use a Connex chain, I remove it and clean with rag followed by a clean spot on the rag and alcohol. I then lube it while its extended on my table. It’s the first thing I do, so it has time to penetrate and “dry” while I tend to the rest of the bike. When I get done with the rest of the bike, I’ll inspect the chain and if it still appears “wet”, I’ll lightly run it through my hand in a clean t-shirt and reassemble.

Zaskar

Damn Glenn - ya know it's clean when you worry about seeing the camera's reflection in the derailleur!

Zaskar

I love that this thread in deep into the second page and no one has weighed with "yeah well, I spend my time riding my bike" or any of the other crap these threads usually dredge up. I guarantee NO ONE with a drivetrain this clean dislikes the effort it takes to get it that clean. It's relaxing, cathartic... it's our tiny rake in the sand.

My wife and daughters were heading out to shop for dresses for my niece's wedding... "You want to come?" "Uh... nah. I'll find something to do here."
Five bikes later (the mtn bike was still in the stand)

Zaskar

Oh, on the myth that cleaning a bike causes premature wear... Sure, soaking in solvent will cause lots of issues. But, cleaning often and cleaning smart will PROLONG the life of your bike/parts. Spray the brushes - not the parts. Use a foaming degreaser - one that clings/stays put longer. Use the hose to rinse - not clean.

I keep my bikes a long time (that Klein is a 1997)... I'd notice the premature wear ;-)

jadocs

Spot on, I find it very therapeutic after ride. I'm also one of those that does spend my time riding.