Cleaning the bicycle chain

If you have a bicycle, you as a good owner of your steel horse should take care of it. One of the main manipulations for care is the cleaning of the bicycle chain. Under what circumstances and how correctly it should be done, you will learn by reading this article.

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When to clean the bike chain?

In order for the circuit to work properly, of course, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance for it. As a rule, if you drove 100-300 km it's time to clean and lubricate.

In other cases, such a need arises when there are sounds that are not anticipated by the manufacturer. The most mandatory condition is visible pollution. If you went to the forest or skied not under the asphalt track, cleaning the bicycle chain should be your mandatory return procedure.

Important! The main damaging factor is the clay mixed with sand and mud. Such substances clog inside the rollers between the links and the chain scrolls with problems. If it is not cleaned regularly after the clumps are found, it will rust, all elements will jam - eventually a quick wear and complete failure.

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How to clean the bike chain?

Before you clean the bike chain, decide how you will do it. There are three methods:

• directly on the bike;
• removable - with the help of handy tools;
• removal of blockages of a special machine for cleaning the chain.

Before cleaning the bicycle chain, do so:

1. Move to the open air, as some cleaners have a strong odor.
2. Prepare cleaning agents and a plastic bottle.
3. Take care of personal protection of hands - work in rubber gloves.
4. If the part of your transport is not heavily soiled or there are no special keys for removing it, clean it without removing it.
5. Turn over the bicycle and firmly install it - this is necessary for the convenience of work, if you do not plan to detach the part.
6. To access the stars and the carriage with the multicolor, remove the Shimano suspension.
7. Knock out the inner core with a screwdriver and a hammer, but not until the end, because after the cleaning procedure it will be necessary to insert it back.

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How to clean the bicycle chain?

Modern chemistry is replete with all sorts of cleaning agents that do a good job. Special cleaning products for bicycles can be purchased from specialized stores, but this pleasure is not cheap. Modern bike enthusiasts prefer the available solvents and other detergents that you will certainly find in your household.

To clean the bicycle chain gave the desired result and did not take a lot of time, you will find it useful:

• tank with warm water;
• acetone;
• petrol;
• white spirit;
• WD40;
• Lubricator;
• oil for sewing machine;
• cleaning machine for bicycle chain;
• detergents for dishes or tiles;
• empty plastic bottle;
• multikey;
• rags;
• is a stiff brush or toothbrush.

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How to clean the bike chain

Depending on your vehicle model, availability of handy tools and personal experience, select the best option from the options below. Follow the instructions and then you will be all right.

Option 1

1. Rinse the dirt and dust with a hose using a spray nozzle.
2. For optimal access, set the front chain to the maximum gear, and the rear to the minimum.
3. Make a soapy solution in hot water and brush each link with a brush.
4. Apply the product to each element to clean the grease residue that has not been washed off with soapy water.
5. Dry thoroughly - wipe with a dry cloth or blow through with a hairdryer.
6. Lubricate with plenty of lubricant, but do not overdo it, excess lubricant can become a dust collector.

Option 2

Use of solvent WD40.This tool is used not as a lubricant, but as a degreaser cleaning. It qualitatively throws out old layers from thin places, if you act like this:

1. Cover the brake rotor with a cloth, to avoid splashing the material onto the brake surfaces.
2. Take the vial with the remedy and abundantly blow each link, while scrolling the pedals.
3. Clean the links with a toothbrush so that there is no residue from the sand, but they remain dry.
4. In each link, drip a few drops of engine oil or another lubricant.

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The most convenient way to clean the bicycle chain

The bicycle chain is cleaned mechanically: the device cleans the links with the help of brushes in the form of rollers, they bend the chain, passing it through the solvent. This is the most economical way, since it does not require frequent removal of the chain, which causes the risk of rupture, a relatively small amount of cleaning is used, and, finally, detailed cleaning of each part takes place.

Important! The device is sold together with a detergent, and subsequently other solvents can be used instead. It is not recommended only for this purpose gasoline - it can contribute to the deterioration of the plastic body of the machine.

Detailed instructions for use are usually indicated by the manufacturer. Additional nuances that are useful for you are as follows:

1. Install the device on the bottom of the circuit.
2. Bike chain cleaning is done as follows: turn the pedal back until the chain gets the desired cleanliness.
3. In order for the effect to be better, additionally add to the machine a concentrated dishwasher, diluted in hot water, and rinse in the same way with excess fat.
4. Before lubricating the chain after removing dirt, allow it to dry well.

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Cleaning the removed bicycle chain

If you are able to detach and replace this part of your transport yourself, to remove any clods from it, proceed as follows:

1. Remove the removed part in the bath with the solvent.
2. Carefully chat and leave to soak, and at this time clean the stars.
3. In a plastic bottle, pour oil or other cleaning agent, place a chain in it and shake it with active movements until the product turns black.
4. Change the cleaner as it gets dirty.
5. When the chain becomes clean and the liquid becomes light, drain, cut the bottle and remove the chain.
6. Connect the chain, the story on the bike and grease.
7. Remove excess grease with a cloth.

Now you know how to clean the chain on a bicycle. We hope that the above methods have helped you save time and money, and your transport for recreation and exercise to maintain a good body shape will serve you for a long time.