Comments on: How to Clean Your Bicycle’s Drive Train http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/ Mountain Bike Reviews, News, Deals and How Tos Fri, 25 May 2012 01:24:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Stanford Bleyl http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/comment-page-1/#comment-586931 Stanford Bleyl Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:21:32 +0000 http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/#comment-586931 Please keep on sending such shares as this is a spezial post to find these days! I'm always looking on the internet for shares which will help and my problems much. Thankyou Please keep on sending such shares as this is a spezial post to find these days! I’m always looking on the internet for shares which will help and my problems much. Thankyou

]]> By: Kerbouchaud http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/comment-page-1/#comment-110133 Kerbouchaud Wed, 29 Aug 2007 03:15:18 +0000 http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/#comment-110133 Little late on the post here, but better late than never. I've had pretty good luck with using An Air Compressor and some stiff nylon bristled brushes. Quick squirt of Dawn dish soap mixed with water in a spray bottle loosens up most of the grime, and the Compressor nozzle with the brushes makes it go away. Quick relube with some White Lightning or equivilant lube and you're good to go. I have also recently found that the self cleaning lwax-based ubes like White Lightning on the chain and derailleurs helps extend the time between cleaning. I guess the wax base binds with the sand and dirt and then falls off as it gets loaded. Just add some lube before or after every ride and things stay pretty squared away. I don't know if this has any long term wear effects since I've only been using it for about 2 months though. Little late on the post here, but better late than never. I’ve had pretty good luck with using An Air Compressor and some stiff nylon bristled brushes. Quick squirt of Dawn dish soap mixed with water in a spray bottle loosens up most of the grime, and the Compressor nozzle with the brushes makes it go away. Quick relube with some White Lightning or equivilant lube and you’re good to go. I have also recently found that the self cleaning lwax-based ubes like White Lightning on the chain and derailleurs helps extend the time between cleaning. I guess the wax base binds with the sand and dirt and then falls off as it gets loaded. Just add some lube before or after every ride and things stay pretty squared away. I don’t know if this has any long term wear effects since I’ve only been using it for about 2 months though.

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/comment-page-1/#comment-96157 Guitar Ted Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:09:13 +0000 http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/#comment-96157 Ryan: You are certainly entitled to your opinions on Simple Green, but I think Mr. Zinn is a pretty stand up guy, and as I said, the Simple Green folks even stepped in and commented on the article. Your powers of cynicism are strong! As far as using non-cycling specific cleansers, I agree. I think Dawn dishwashing detergent does a pretty darn fine job. There are plenty of other things that run the gamut from fairly benign to downright dangerous that would "matter" as far as using them. Then there is always the issue of how to dispose of the waste, which is a 'nuther whole can-o-worms I won't get into here. Ryan: You are certainly entitled to your opinions on Simple Green, but I think Mr. Zinn is a pretty stand up guy, and as I said, the Simple Green folks even stepped in and commented on the article. Your powers of cynicism are strong!

As far as using non-cycling specific cleansers, I agree. I think Dawn dishwashing detergent does a pretty darn fine job. There are plenty of other things that run the gamut from fairly benign to downright dangerous that would “matter” as far as using them. Then there is always the issue of how to dispose of the waste, which is a ‘nuther whole can-o-worms I won’t get into here.

]]> By: Ryan http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/comment-page-1/#comment-96152 Ryan Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:22:22 +0000 http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/#comment-96152 Bicycle specific degreasers are fine in that you can pick it up at your LBS when you've already got bikes on the brain. Otherwise they tend to cost more. Degreasers all do the same thing. Use dandruff shampoo if you want. As long as you strip the grime and grease, get it dry (hairdryer if you have to), then lubricate properly, the brand of cleaner doesn't matter. I tend to think any claim that Simple Green will somehow harm the integrity of your chain more than other degreasers is BS. Don't soak your chain in any waterbased liquid overnight and suspect no damage. Your chain is steel, of course it will corrode. To repeat: clean, dry, lube. Buy a new chain at least once a year, try springtime since the winter wet has done it's damage anyway. Bicycle specific degreasers are fine in that you can pick it up at your LBS when you’ve already got bikes on the brain. Otherwise they tend to cost more. Degreasers all do the same thing. Use dandruff shampoo if you want. As long as you strip the grime and grease, get it dry (hairdryer if you have to), then lubricate properly, the brand of cleaner doesn’t matter. I tend to think any claim that Simple Green will somehow harm the integrity of your chain more than other degreasers is BS. Don’t soak your chain in any waterbased liquid overnight and suspect no damage. Your chain is steel, of course it will corrode. To repeat: clean, dry, lube. Buy a new chain at least once a year, try springtime since the winter wet has done it’s damage anyway.

]]> By: gwadzilla http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/comment-page-1/#comment-89544 gwadzilla Sat, 21 Apr 2007 13:23:26 +0000 http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/#comment-89544 I guess a safe rule would be to stick with bicycle specific degreasers I guess a safe rule would be to stick with bicycle specific degreasers

]]> By: gwadzilla http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/comment-page-1/#comment-89543 gwadzilla Sat, 21 Apr 2007 13:22:54 +0000 http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/#comment-89543 no to simple green? that is good information as that has been my mainstay for drivetrain cleaning for years and well... I am a chain breaking machine I think it is worth removing Simple Green from the equation what about a good hand cleaner? what should we use after we clean our drivetrains? I use Go-Jo or something to that effect some citrus based handcleaner no to simple green?
that is good information
as that has been my mainstay for drivetrain cleaning for years
and well… I am a chain breaking machine
I think it is worth removing Simple Green from the equation

what about a good hand cleaner?
what should we use after we clean our drivetrains?

I use Go-Jo
or something to that effect
some citrus based handcleaner

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/comment-page-1/#comment-89316 Guitar Ted Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:44:33 +0000 http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/#comment-89316 Chris: Well, there are various citrus degreasers. Finish Line just came out with a spray on degreaser and several others have similar products for cleaning bikes. I have used Dawn dishwashing detergent, WD-40, and even soybean oil to clean parts in before. You'll have to experiment and see what you are comfortable with enviromentally and performance wise. I think anything is better than how pro race mechanics do it in Europe. They use diesel fuel! Chris: Well, there are various citrus degreasers. Finish Line just came out with a spray on degreaser and several others have similar products for cleaning bikes. I have used Dawn dishwashing detergent, WD-40, and even soybean oil to clean parts in before.

You’ll have to experiment and see what you are comfortable with enviromentally and performance wise. I think anything is better than how pro race mechanics do it in Europe. They use diesel fuel!

]]> By: Chris http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/comment-page-1/#comment-89293 Chris Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:49:23 +0000 http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/#comment-89293 GT, What would you suggest then. Being that I don't read Velo News I had NO idea that SG would do that. I am a little skeptical, but the fact that Lennard Zinn was involved certainly pulls some weight. GT,

What would you suggest then. Being that I don’t read Velo News I had NO idea that SG would do that. I am a little skeptical, but the fact that Lennard Zinn was involved certainly pulls some weight.

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/comment-page-1/#comment-89282 Guitar Ted Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:21:05 +0000 http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/#comment-89282 k_s: Velo News Tech Editor Lennard Zinn Did an extensive question and answer series on Velo New's web site a few years ago about Simple Green and it's effects on chains. Even representitives of Simple Green were involved. While it was obvious that over night soaking of chains was definitely causing a problem, no conclusive evidence was given to support even short time usuage of the product on chains. The thing is, there are alot of alternatives to using Simple Green, so why take the risk? k_s: Velo News Tech Editor Lennard Zinn Did an extensive question and answer series on Velo New’s web site a few years ago about Simple Green and it’s effects on chains. Even representitives of Simple Green were involved. While it was obvious that over night soaking of chains was definitely causing a problem, no conclusive evidence was given to support even short time usuage of the product on chains.

The thing is, there are alot of alternatives to using Simple Green, so why take the risk?

]]> By: k_s http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/comment-page-1/#comment-89254 k_s Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:14:26 +0000 http://bluecollarmtb.com/2007/04/17/how-to-clean-your-bicycle%e2%80%99s-drive-train/#comment-89254 It does not make sense that Simple Green would cause embrittlement. It goes on, cuts grease, and is washed away. What could it be doing that would harm the integrity of the chain? I read somewhere that this was only a problem when the chain was left soaking in full strength SG for a very long time. But even then, wouldn't the only problem be rust from being wet too long without protection? It does not make sense that Simple Green would cause embrittlement. It goes on, cuts grease, and is washed away. What could it be doing that would harm the integrity of the chain? I read somewhere that this was only a problem when the chain was left soaking in full strength SG for a very long time. But even then, wouldn’t the only problem be rust from being wet too long without protection?

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