Psimet2001 

1 - soak it. That should dissolve it enough to allow the "gunk" to come off with rinsing.

2 - A rag will fit in there. Take a shop duty paper towell (the blue kind) or a reusable rage (for the environment yo) and fold it once. Feed the rag in between the "cogs" (or rather teeth profiles on that cassette). Then slide it back and forth (left to right if facnig the cassette ont he wheel). This will freewheel the cassette to a new position and then brace it as you run the rag back over it.

It's a technique I have used since the late 80's and freehweels and really ehlps to clean in between the cogs with the cassette still assembled....or like in your case...1 piece.

kimconyc

Is the bottom bracket going to be damaged after that?

DScott

Double duh!

Remove, dissasemble, soak, wipe clean, reassemble, re-install, joy.

The chain needs lube, not the cassette. Unless you count a little grease on the freehub splines...

kimconyc

This.

If I've been riding in the rain a lot and the drivetrain is totally bunked, I'll take off the cassette completely (I also have Red) and dunk in degreaser, then use Simple Green and toothbrush, and then finally dishwasher soap and brush to get it totally clean.

kimconyc

I normally don't care about total cleanliness but it's awesome when you do a complete detailing and then it rains the very next ride

Daytrip

+1

The cassette gears don't require any lubrication, besides that contained in the chain and deposited on the wear edges. Your better cassettes are nickel plated, so they shouldn't be subject to rust. If you're still worried about rust, coat them with a little White Lightning or other dry wax lube before re-assembly.

Like other posters, I find it a lot easier to remove the cassette periodically for cleaning, rather than trying to do a decent job while it's still on the wheel. It's a lot more work for less complete results, IME. If you've cleaned and dried each gear, you know that sucker is clean.

Psimet2001 

No...but you might start getting a bit of a welp out of it.

OBXCycling.com

Weekly I spray with some dollar store degreaser, let it sit for a few, brush with a thin brush from WallyWorld, rinse with water, dry like psimet (flossing the cogs with the edge of a towel) and then lube with Easy Lube. The only trick is to make sure the chain is clear of all the degreaser.
Looks like brand new every week. Rides quieter too.

SteveJ

I did mine the other day, took the wheel off, got a plastic container with some mineral turpentine in it and a paint brush, leaned the wheel over and brushed the cassette, came up looking like new.
someone might tell me how bad turps is for a cassette but it works fine for me, saves taking it off too.

clausen

I would be more concerned about some getting into your wheel bearings with that method. Taking a cassette off and cleaning it does not take that long. 20 minutes tops.

SteveJ

20 mins vs 5 mins = more time riding

Psimet2001 

ftfy

Quijibo187

some strong degreasers don't react well with seals.
simple green should be fine.
that would be one reason to take the casette off the wheel.
the other is that it allows you to check the freehub for wear (can be a problem with aluminum ones and shimano casettes).

Patriot

Any kind of distillate is best for cleaning cassettes. I find some of the best are Kerosene, Diesel, or if you can afford it, a heavy duty indistrial parts cleaner. I use Mk V commercial solvent. The stuff eats away everything dirt/grease related, but is mild enough to leave the O-rings for the freehub seals alone.

That way, I can just remove the chain (w/quick link), toss it in a jar to soak, then I use a small Paint Brush with solvent to clean the cassette. A paint brush is great, because it allows you to get in between all the individual cogs without having to remove them.

f4rrest

I use bacon grease to lube the chain. Once per week, I let the dog into the garage to clean it.

Spinz

If you want to clean it with no hassel get yourself a can of brake cleaner from your local parts house and have at. Wipe it down after you are done and it will look good as new. The kerosine / diesel recomendation is a good one too. Lp

Patriot

MAKE SURE you remove the cassette if you use brake cleaner. Brake cleaner EATS O-rings. If you do pull the cassette, like the OP said, then yeah, it's great stuff.

Will G

Take small bucket, add Simple Green, throw in the cassette. Pull the pieces out and use an old paintbrush for cleaning. Rinse with clean water and dry. Add more water to the Simple Green and use that to clean the rest of the bike.

xg43x

purple power works a treat...

DonDenver

When the cars need a MAF cleaning the cassette gets it as well

tallmantim

Last time I did mine, I left it soaking in petrol for a couple of days, giving it a swirl every now and then.

Then scrubbed it off with detergent - worked well.

DScott

And don't worry about the environment with all these industrial cleaners. We'll just make another one, eventually.

cyclezealot

I used to feel that way. But, gosh. After about 4 rides it again looks unclean.. I just have a specific brush for cassette's and use a chain cleaner.. . With three bikes, I give each bike a complete bath about once a month.

CrimsonKarter21

My method: it cleans the chain and cassette to their original finish.

You need:
-Simple Green, undiluted
-Toothbrush
-Bucket of bike wash/water
-Sponge
-Hose
-Air Compressor
---
When I'm washing the bike with a hose, bucket of soapy water and sponge, I spray the drivetrain down with water. I then proceed to spray the cassette with a liberal amount of Simple Green. I thenscrub it with the tooth brush and move the cassette with my hand when I need to (hand on the cassette so it doesn't move when you don't want it to).
Keep on doing this untilt he cahin and cassette are clean. Then I move onto the chainrings.
---
After the drivetrain, I finish washing the bike and use an air compressor with a spray gun attachment to blow water off the bike and cassette.

I've been doing this for a year with no problems. The trick is to let the drivetrain dry, then apply your lube before the stuff rusts. I get much better life out of my chains and cassettes. Some cassettes have easily 7000 miles without much wear. Frequent cleaning mixed with frequent chain replacements makes cassettes last forever.

Terex

So 2-3 times per week??? I don't think so.