How do you degrease your bike chain, chain rings and cassettes? It's a roadie...

Question

How do you degrease your bike chain, chain rings and cassettes? It's a roadie...

Answer 1

dishwashing soap mix it with water and then use toothbrush to apply  

Answer 2

I just cleaned my drive train yesterday.

The trick is to do it on a regular basis & not let it get too gunky.

My tips are wear an old top because you might get greasy.

If you don't have a work-stand, it's okay to balance the bike up-side down on it's saddle (not directly on concrete, I myself use the back lawn).

If it's not a too big of a job, here's what I use.

A detergent & water mix, stored in a spray bottle.

A double sided brush (I got it from my LBS) to brush away rhe stubborn grit.

A couple of rags (I find that old socks are really handy), to wipe the chain & other parts clean.

After letting the parts dry, then apply some bike lube (I'm fond of dry Finish line)

If it's a big job, then I'll use some citrus degreaser or some degreaser from an auto supply shop. The kinds which foam when applied seem to be the best. If you are using harsher cleaners, it wouldn't hurt to protect the frame, as some kinds might harm the paint work.

Answer 3

Copied my answer from a similar Q:

"Buy yourself a chain cleaning device - You fill it with degreaser, kind of clamp it onto the chain before the jockey wheels and peddle backwards, the (usually) 3 brushes thoroughly clean the chain. You might need to repeat this 2-3 times - It's amazing how much gunk comes off your chain.

I also like to get out a washing up brush (one of the long ones with the big handles) and attack the chain when on the chainrings to really get to the muck. This might seem obsessive...but TBH I like taking care of my bikes :) I then dry of the chain (somewhat) by grabbing the chain (again, before the jockey wheels) with an old cloth or tea towel and peddle backwared. This dries and further cleans the chain.

Remove the cassette lockring and place it in a little bowl of degreaser. Again, go at it with the brush, then rinse. I then get an old cloth or tea towel and get in the spacings. I don't want any moisture in there.

Fit the cassette and chain back up together and apply some lubricant. I like "White Lightning - Epic"

Oh - I also wipe the crud off the jockey wheels and spray a tiny amount of GT85 on the pivot points of the derailleurs and brakes.

There you go - An insight into my boring life, lol"