[BigBear]

Should I be using anything special to clean my chain and gears? I've been spraying it off with a hose, but I know that can lead to rusting.

[funetical]

I use wd40 to blast gunk off my chain. Spray it and let it sit for a while if there's a good amount of dirt/road and the wipe it off.

[ruggedscotsman]

Some folks will run their chain through a chain washer with degreaser, I think funetical's wd-40 method is easier and just as good, if not better. Soak in wd40, wait, wipe. repeat as necessary. Apply new chain lube and wipe away excess. Only problem is if you're running dry lube, the wd40 will eat it/ prevent it from adhearing well.

[howtofixbikes]

I just got on this forum and the first post I see is about WD40 on a bike chain! I don't want to start on a bad foot, but it's about the worst stuff you can use on a bike chain. WD40 is great to coat against rust, but it is no lubricant. WD40 will actually strip lube from your chain. Me and many other mechanics have used automobile automatic transmission fluid to lube chains and I can vouch for the fact that it works great even during winter.

For cleaning, I use lemon Pledge furniture polish. You spray and wipe off the crud and then buff the surface with a clean cotton rag. It will bring back the finish and smell nice too. This I got from an article in Bicycling years ago and I've been using it ever since. Keep away from the drivetrain as the lemon will remove any and all lubricants.

Again, I don't want to start anything here, just my .02

Gerry

[CTD50]

howto, welcome -- but you do need to slow your roll a bit; nobody was talking about using WD-40 as a lube, rather as a cleaner for a dirty drivetrain.

The so-called 'experts' say to use Simple Green to clean, rinse and let dry, and use lube of choice. We ALL pretty much look for shortcuts.

Where I work, we have access to a stainless steel cleaner/polish in a spray can; it's got multiple uses in my particular job, other than what was intended. One such is a combo cleaner/lube for my chain. Using it about 2x/week works pretty well.

Giant's Liquid Silk lube is one of the best I've ever seen, much less used; cleaning is a rarity with that good stuff!

[gatorguy]

I use the Park chain cleaner with Zip citrus cleaner and it works great. I run it through the cleaning brushes thirty full chain revolutions and then wipe it off with rags. I wait for a few minutes (usually while doing another bike chain) and wipe it again and then apply lube. I do this once a month unless it's been wet.

[gatorguy]

I use Zep citrus degreaser in the Park Tool Chain Cleaner and it works great. I run the chain through the brushes for 30 revolutions and wipe it off. Then I let it sit while I do another bike or two at which time I wipe it again and then oil. I do this once a month unless the drive train gets wet in which case I do it immediately when I get home.

ZEP Heavy Duty Citrus Degreaser, 128 Oz., Case of 4 - ZUCIT128 at The Home Depot

[howtofixbikes]

The degreasing qualities of citrus products still amazes me.

[Industry_Hack]

WD40 is still bad. Any trace is going to eat lubricants.

I heard Pledge is good for muddy MTB ridiing, as it prevents sticking. Or maybe that was Pam?

[howtofixbikes]

Pledge does leave a coat of wax that makes it hard for mud to stink well on the frame. Makes for an even easier clean up in my experience.