Chain cleaner

[EMTBSEAN]

With the corona virus outbreak I’m having trouble finding a open shop who sells chain degreaser, does anyone know of an alternative so I can keep on top of my bike maintenance please

Sean

 

[ImSundee]

Car degreaser will work too.

 

[Darren]

Halfords are keeping some branches open.

 

[Mikerb]

buy online

 

[EMTBSEAN]

I thought that all but important stuff would be delivered by post or courier, if either of them are delivering then I’ll order tomorrow, thanks for the other suggestions, I watched a YouTube video and the guy used unleaded petrol, has any one else in here tried this.

 

[HORSPWR]

I thought that all but important stuff would be delivered by post or courier, if either of them are delivering then I’ll order tomorrow, thanks for the other suggestions, I watched a YouTube video and the guy used unleaded petrol, has any one else in here tried this.

Petrol may not play nicely with some of the rubber chainstay protectors, also any hydrocarbon degreaser will be the same, alkaline degreasers are bad news for paint and clear coats.

I just use a heavy duty truck wash degreaser such as this:

 

[Flatslide]

I use a grunge brush, petrol in an old alloy bread mould and compressed air. I brush the lower section of chain clean holding the container underneath, then use an air gun to dry while holding a rag behind the chain to blow into-it takes seconds. I also wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses. Works a treat.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Simple Green, diluted with water. Use a brush or one of those Park chain cheaners.

 

[James_C]

washing up liquid works well. the park cm5-2 chain cleaner is awesome. I've scrubbed mine with a brush then done it with the park tool as a test, water was black, and chain felt much nicer.

I test it by twisting the chain and feeling for grittiness. The park tool is the only thing that makes it feel like new.

 

[EMTBSEAN]

Cheers guys, just ordered some degreaser off eBay, I intend removing my chain to clean it when it’s really dirty, I know I’ll need a shit load of spare replacement chain links but hey ho, I’m thinking if I can give my chain a good deep clean it’ll last longer and my drive train will last longer too.

 

[EMTBSEAN]

washing up liquid works well. the park cm5-2 chain cleaner is awesome. I've scrubbed mine with a brush then done it with the park tool as a test, water was black, and chain felt much nicer.

I test it by twisting the chain and feeling for grittiness. The park tool is the only thing that makes it feel like new.

Thanks for that James, I might just give that a try until my degreaser arrives, I have the Park chain cleaner and I totally agree it is a great tool ?

 

[KennyB]

I doubt you need to use a spare link every time you remove the chain, as long as you use a good pair of chain pliers. In any case, with the Park Chain Cleaner you won't be removing the chain?

 

[Waynetta]

I remove the chain quite often to clean. Quick links make it a doddle. I use diesel in a lidded container , put chain in, shake for a bit, empty the dirty stuff out and leave it to settle to use again. Repeat until no grit and crap in the diesel. You don’t need to use much, a gallon last many months. .

 

[EMTBSEAN]

I doubt you need to use a spare link every time you remove the chain, as long as you use a good pair of chain pliers. In any case, with the Park Chain Cleaner you won't be removing the chain?

I have a pair of Park quick link removers, oh right I was under the impression you had to fit a new link each time the chain was taken apart, you see this is why I joined this group, to gain the knowledge ?I only intend removing the chain if it gets really cruddy or if I run out of chain cleaner and have to use something that’s not chainstay protector friendly, thanks for the help guys ?

 

[EMTBSEAN]

I remove the chain quite often to clean. Quick links make it a doddle. I use diesel in a lidded container , put chain in, shake for a bit, empty the dirty stuff out and leave it to settle to use again. Repeat until no grit and crap in the diesel. You don’t need to use much, a gallon last many months. .

Thanks, I think I have some spare diesel in a container somewhere if my memory is playing ball ?

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Cheers guys, just ordered some degreaser off eBay, I intend removing my chain to clean it when it’s really dirty, I know I’ll need a shit load of spare replacement chain links but hey ho, I’m thinking if I can give my chain a good deep clean it’ll last longer and my drive train will last longer too.

Spare links? I thought the master link was reusable many times!?

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Thanks, I think I have some spare diesel in a container somewhere if my memory is playing ball ?

Diesel or gasoline are still extremely effective, but not popular these days because they aren't 'green'.

 

[KennyB]

Spare links? I thought the master link was reusable many times!?

SRAM, I recall, recommend not reusing it on 11spd. My suspicion is that they wish to absolve themselves if there are any problems with it not done properly. As long as the right tool is used and the link is not damaged, can't see any issue.

 

[steve_sordy]

Spare links? I thought the master link was reusable many times!?

In my opinion, yes it is reusable. But when the chain is done so is the master link.

I keep a few old master links in my backpack as emergency spares for other people that might need them. (I keep a new one as an emergency spare for me!)

 

[outerlimits]

Petrol may not play nicely with some of the rubber chainstay protectors, also any hydrocarbon degreaser will be the same, alkaline degreasers are bad news for paint and clear coats.

I just use a heavy duty truck wash degreaser such as this:

View attachment 27865

This is the best stuff for cleaning the bike. I use a wax based chain lube and it will not remove the wax. I also own a truck and write it off on tax ?

 

[Waynetta]

In my opinion, yes it is reusable. But when the chain is done so is the master link.

I keep a few old master links in my backpack as emergency spares for other people that might need them. (I keep a new one as an emergency spare for me!)

Exactly that same as

 

[Gary]

In my opinion, yes it is reusable. But when the chain is done so is the master link.

Just so you know, Your opinion is wrong.

The wear parts when a chain wears/lengthens are the chains rollers and pins. Not the outer chain plates.
your old quick link if re-used with a new chain fits into NEW (UNWORN) rollers.
Even if the pins on your old quick link are slightly worn (they most likely won't be BTW) one single link with slight play between the pins and rollers isn't really going to cause any issues at all.

This genuinely made me laugh

I keep a few old master links in my backpack as emergency spares for other people that might need them. (I keep a new one as an emergency spare for me!)

Steve seen earlier on a particularly competitive group ride

I prefer the old dropping tacks in their path trick.

 

[aarfeldt]

What a cool helmet

Btw...he needs to trim his nosehair !

 

[KennyB]

Just so you know, Your opinion is wrong.

The wear parts when a chain wears/lengthens are the chains rollers and pins. Not the outer chain plates.
your old quick link if re-used with a new chain fits into NEW (UNWORN) rollers.
Even if the pins on your old quick link are slightly worn (they most likely won't be BTW) one single link with slight play between the pins and rollers isn't really going to cause any issues at all.

This genuinely made me laugh

Steve seen earlier on a particularly competitive group ride

I prefer the old dropping tacks in their path trick.

This is of course your opinion. A master link will wear as it has pins, a known fact is that a chain measured across a master link shows more wear than when measured across normal links - a good trigger to obtain a new chain. In any case why would you use an old, worn, master link with a new chain that comes with a brand new one?

 

[Gary]

a known fact is that a chain measured across a master link shows more wear than when measured across normal links

no it doesn't.
you just made this up.

I actually don't have a life just now so have just gone and got my calipers and measured 3 chains. Across 8 links. Twice each. Once including the split link. Once without. (starting from the next outer link to keep consistency).
The measurement difference with each chain was only 0.1mm. Personally I'd call that equal (taking measurement error into account) but if you really wanting to split hairs here it was all the measurements including the split link that were actually 0.1mm LESS
That's with one brand new chain. one with 800miles use on an enduro bike and one on an emtb after 1500miles use

Yes. A used quick link will show some wear. Will one worn split link in a full 114 link chain make a difference to anything? No. Not really. especially on a bike destined to be ridden in mud/wet/dirt/dust etc.

In any case why would you use an old, worn, master link with a new chain that comes with a brand new one?

Not all new chains come with a quick link.
many chains are not long enough and can require donor links to be added. a quick link is the best way to do this.
Maybe you simply don't care about that one link not being brand new.
and maybe, just maybe the real question should be "why NOT use the old split link"?

Steve has said he carrys old and new split links in his bike pack. Maybe we should ask him to measure the pin thickness on each old vs new to see just how small an issue it actually is?
I don't doubt they wear. waht doesn't? just that it's not actually an issue to use a very slightly worn quick link.

Have a great day and thanks for giving my day purpose

 

[EMTBSEAN]

This is of course your opinion. A master link will wear as it has pins, a known fact is that a chain measured across a master link shows more wear than when measured across normal links - a good trigger to obtain a new chain. In any case why would you use an old, worn, master link with a new chain that comes with a brand new one?

Nice one mate, you’re advice is taken onboard and I appreciate your advice ?

 

[steve_sordy]

Just so you know, Your opinion is wrong.

The wear parts when a chain wears/lengthens are the chains rollers and pins. Not the outer chain plates.
your old quick link if re-used with a new chain fits into NEW (UNWORN) rollers.
Even if the pins on your old quick link are slightly worn (they most likely won't be BTW) one single link with slight play between the pins and rollers isn't really going to cause any issues at all.

This genuinely made me laugh

Steve seen earlier on a particularly competitive group ride

I prefer the old dropping tacks in their path trick.

I don't often disagree with you @Gary but I will do so on this one. Whilst rollers will wear, they do not contribute to chain length extension by any more than the merest fraction and even that depends upon how you measure wear. If you measure pin to pin, roller wear has zero impact, if you measure with a pair of internal calipers then the wear on only one roller is taken into account.
The pins rotating in the side plates of the inner link is what does the damage. The wearing components that contribute to chain extension are the pins of the outer links and the sideplates of the inner links. Therefore the master link wears just as much as any other outer link. Which is why I said that when your chain is done, then so is the master link.

As for the Dick Dastardly viewpoint. Using an old but functioning masterlink is better than a walk home, in my opinion. Especially as they are free! I have never had one thrown back in my face, not so far anyway.

 

[Gary]

Dude. how do you think I measured those 3 chains?
I'm not new to this.
You're not actually disagreeing with me, you're simply not listening , or seeing the bigger picture.
I'll spell it out again for you very simply.

ONE VERY SLIGHTLY WORN QUICKLINK IN A NEW 120LINK(ish) CHAIN WON'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE

 

[frankenbike]

Or you could check with the manufacturer (I know, crazy right?). I have a sram ex1 drive train and the chain uses sram's Powerlock master link, which sram specifies for single use. They also have another master link used on other chains they call Powerlink, which sram says can be reused. Of course, mfr recommendations are not always followed (shocking, right?) and that does not always result in failure, and of course in an emergency whatever works may rule.

 

[Gary]

batshit crazy yes.
ALL SRAM quicklinks are 100% re-useable. no matter what SRAM claim.
ask any experienced bike mechanic
just make sure to use the proper tool when opening/closing the "single use" variety.