nigglenoo - thats the stuff.
I've had a look at Puteline and there is all kinds of different types. Which one to I need? And I book it in the Puteline before I put it on the bike?
Edit: wow, blockquote doesn't work yet then!
Quote: Hate cleaning chains? The solution. Chain is over 50 years old.
Just don't take it anywhere near a bike shop, some of them tell you to replace a perfectly good chain and cassette after about 10 miles...
It's not only the weight of the chain but they are also narrower and in contact with softer material.
I'm sure a SS would last as well but expecting a 10-12 speed chain to shift reliably and not fall off on "50 something cogs" with narrow spacing between isn't the same.
Today we take for granted the possibility of 10-12 cogs on a cassette...
Decades ago I restored an old 2-speed Sturmey bike that I literally had to dig out of a garden. I don't think I actually replaced the seized chain...
It got me about basically across SW London... was non-stealable etc. but not really what I'd like to be riding up or down anything steep. (The rod brakes were worse than the gearing)
Nobody mentioned Fenwicks foaming chain cleaner and sponge yet? Its my go to chain cleaning method, does the job quick and well with minimal fuss.
[i]When it’s new, don’t degrease it – all the insides are full of wonderful grease which will last a long time.”[/i]
Oh, no, don't agree with that. The "grease" on them when new is for storage, not riding conditions - picks up all the crap if you use it without cleaning first.
My chains get rinsed with the hose then squirted with GT85 after rides. Hardly ever put chain lube on after that, if it do it's something thin, like Fenwicks Dry.
Back in the day we used that Finish Line Green muck and had to spend ages cleaning chains. It was pretty much all that was available though. Can't believe folk still use that rubbish!
[i]Shame with all our modern superlight technologies we can’t do something as simple and taken for granted 90 years ago.[/i]
OK, you do your mountain biking on that and I'll use my mountain bike and spend a bit on chains.
I have the Park Tool chain cleaner machine and it has changed my life. A bit.
I used to hate cleaning chains even though I have a decent parts cleaning tank in my shed, I always ended up using an old toothbrush and getting covered in crap.
I use general bike cleaner in the Park Tool machine and it works a treat and takes minutes. The degreaser that came with the tool is nasty stuff and stained the patio for a while but just using bike cleaner does just as good a job.
I have had SRAM 1 x 11 for 3 years now after using Shimano forever. The fear of the cost of replacing my cassette helps me keep my chain clean and in good nick
I tend to wet the chain then paint on (using a small brush) some concentrated mud-off.... leave for 5 mins then use diluted muck-off in the park tools cleaner.... hose it down (usually twice cos the fist time I leave the chain cleaner on) ..
Do the wiggle the chain and feel if it feels gritty .... if so repeat but usually it's fine at the point.
Then take out of bike stand and drop on the floor a few times and get rid of a lot of water... spin cranks a bit and drop again.... stick on some water displacer and spin ... remove with paper towels then add some light oil to the links only... give it a spin and wipe off any excess.
It sounds a lot longer than it is really and mostly its part of the overall wash. e.g. the rear mech gets cleaned at the same time.
"Back in the day we used that Finish Line Green muck and had to spend ages cleaning chains. It was pretty much all that was available though. Can’t believe folk still use that rubbish!"
This might be where I'm going wrong lol
"Do those removing their chains for cleaning just keep reusing single use links?"
Absolutely, I live life on the edge. Quite a lot of links say not to but I've never had a problem with it. It can be hard to separate some of the newer designs though.
I'm one of those who keeps their bike very clean. To the point where it's expected of me and I'm mocked if people see dirt on my bike. However, the whole well lived/cleaned chain dichotomy seems to have been simplified by the use of Smoove lube.
Hose off, wipe down, relube. Of all the stuff I've tried, this is noticeably better than other stuff.
This might be where I’m going wrong lol
🙂 You don't still scrape that black residue off your cassettes?? Oh man!
I don't mind cleaning mine - the Park Tool makes it really easy. I tend to run the lightest lube that I can get away with to avoid the black, sticky mess that Finish Line wet lube creates. I normally use Squirt in the summer and R'n'R in the winter (although that seemed to get used an awful lot last year).
I also degerase new chains because the stock lube is so damn sticky. My chains seem to last really well and I typically ride three times a week. I might make more effort to change chains now I'm on 11 speed, but I guess that I'll just end up running a chain / cassette combo until its shagged.
Morgan's blue chain cleaner, brush on lightly leave 5 minutes then gently hose it, clears everything out and then relube. It's basically diesel.
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12px; background-color: #eeeeee;">I have the Park Tool chain cleaner, but I still don’t do it, mostly because the degreasing fluid slops out and makes a mess as well as having to be refilled too many times</span>
Really? Refilled? Yes it slops out, but i can generally clean two manky chains with one fill........
Just knock the mud off first of course, then run it through.
Simple solution, go single speed.
I use Finish Line green, I must have had it well over 5 years...just getting to the end of the bottle I think 🙂
Will replace with something 'cleaner' as I'm well known for having oily chainrings imprinted on my legs!
"Simple solution, go single speed."
I am, chain still gets mucky
Another +1 for Putoline here. Can't think how I managed before!
Used it for circa 2 years now and have never looked back.
Bought a £20 deep fat fryer. Maintenance has never been easier.
1. Remove chain from bike via quick link 2. Chuck the still dirty chain in the wire basket and switch fryer on...leave for 5mins. 3. Remove wire basket from now molten oil and give it a wee shake. 4. Remove hot chain and leave to cool...another 2 mins. 5. Reattach chain to bike.
I do this maybe twice month at the most. I usually commute circa 60miles a week then at least once or twice in the woods at the weekend or evenings.
Simples
Is it Puteline wax that you are using? The stuff that comes in tins designed to go on an oven hob?
So I went for the Wickens & Soderstrom No.3 Chain Lube. It's 1/3 the price of Putoline Chain Wax and there seems to be more of a consensus on its effectiveness. Let the savings commence! lol
Wickens & Soderstrom No.3 Chain Lube. It’s 1/3 the price of Putoline Chain Wax
What? Putoline is less than 25 quid for a 1 kg tin. W&S is about 8 quid for 150 ml, so around 65 quid for equivalent volume. So Putoline less than half the price. And the way it's applied a tin will last considerably longer than the equivalent volume of W&S.
True, but a tin of Putoline is £25 and a bottle of W&S is £8. So a 1/3 (less than on fact..)
If the W&S doesn't work out I'll try the Putoline, but id rathwr that then the other way round because then I'd be £25 out if pocket, not £8.
I've moved over to W&S, and can confirm that it is superior to Squirt so far after about five filthy rides. Stays on the chain, and there is no drivetrain noise, even after 20 miles of horrible Dales slop.
