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I keep cleaning my chain with some sort of household cleaning spray and a toothbrush but it just doesnt seem to be effective. So, suggestions?
I was thinking of getting some citrus degreaser and just dropping the chain in a jar of the stuff. But then what? I recall somebody once mentioning relubing in another jar full of diesel?!?
The net seems to thrown back various different contradictory suggestions but im looking for a tried and tested (and thorough) technique.
What say ye?
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Ive changed my viewpoint over time over what the right thing to do is...
I went through a phase of removing the chain and dunking in citrus degreaser overnight - in time, I found that the worse thing to do - as the chain was almost always stripped of its lube/protection which builds up with time - Linkage became stiffer as it seeps right in.
My routine now is using the same degreaser, but just with a toothbrush and rigoursly cleaning, rinsing throughly then re-lubing fairly heavily then wiping off excess. This avoid deep penetration of the linkages and my chain is much better for it.
Eveyrone has a different method, from not doing anything (Ade!) to stripping everything off the bike for a degrease session...
Using a chain bath isnt a bad idea, just get a bit fiddly if using a cheap one.
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i find the Jamjar and petrol method nice and cheap and very effictive. If you can't remove your chain invest in a decent chain cleaner...park etc. Had mine 5 years now and still going strong, don't ponce around with citrus degresers unleaded is just as good and cheaper.
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I have a chain cleaner... it takes about 15 seconds to get the chain really clean....
Mei securis turpe meus vox<br />           ÂÂ
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I find my jockey wheels are always claggy - I tend to concentrate more on the gearing than the chain quite often.
Without venturing to OT : After using Muc-Off at the 24/12 - I shamefully have to say I like it. Im so Anti-it its untrue due to its expensive nature and radical jesus like claims - but so far its the only cleaner not to make my bike all dull after a clean.
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I just clean the chain and jockey wheels with GT85 or WD40 after cleaning the bike then re-lube. The only time i have had the chain off to de grease is when i didn't clean it for a week or so and all the links seized up, any other time i can't see the point and it has been perfect. I think things like Muck Off are a complete waste of money, all i ever use to clean the bike is a hose and brushes which takes about 10 min max, then dry it with a leather which stops it looking dull.
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I use a rag / brush with parafin to clean and rulube with simple 3-1 oil which seems to do the trick, however I have used some of my (motorcycle) chain lube spray on in but this seems a bit overkill and it tends to pick up dust and turn it into crud around the jockey wheels
