If you struggle with replacing the chain use your pictures you took earlier for reference, or go online for a tutorial. Then I clean the excess lube from the outside of the links by running the chain thru a rag. It’s kind of amazing what you find stuck beneath the down tube. A thin cog brush, such as the Park Tool GearClean or … Take your rag to rub and squeeze the chain to dry and ensure the chain is free of any moisture. Bike stand: This will allow you to position the bike at a comfortable height while you’re working on it. The amount of people that I've told this who have insisted they need the 'proper chain cleaner'. Clear visual inspection of the chain and drive train of your bike is the goal, so raising it up to a level more comfortable for you to work on, inspect and clean is of great benefit. Once dry you can replace the chain back on the drivetrain. 95. By now, you must be aware that a dirty bike can affect your performance or even safety, you may take a look at this bike cleaning guide as general advice and finally clean the chain without removing it. Different brands may vary with their information placement but it will virtually always be there. u/Hxcmetal724. (Boost your bike knowledge even more with our Not this time. Elevate the bike or turn it over so that you can pedal without the bike moving. There are several ways that people try to clean their chains. The Chain Keeper inserts into the right rear dropout when the wheel is removed for cleaning, storing, or transporting your bike. LONABR Foldable Bike Repair Stand Adjustable Height Bicycle Mechanics Stand Portable Bike Workstand for Home or Professional Team Use with Plate Tools Holder Support up to 60LBS. Rinse everything off with your clean water. Stick with us for an in-depth tutorial as well as some pro tips for making the job much easier. In order to comfort those who may wield endless curiosity in regards to this subject, the following tutorial has been created. This reduces the effectiveness of the degreaser. In order to complete the job as efficiently as easily as possible, please ensure you have the following items. Posted by. You can use your rag to wipe down the wheels, pulleys and chainrings while you’re here. After these revolutions, look at the chain. Those of us experienced with these types of jobs hope this answers any and all questions you may have in regards to how to clean a bike chain without removing it. Then, hold the rag against the chain. Get Free Email Updates! And there is nothing wrong with that. Only those which involve removing the chain from the bicycle are very satisfactory. Reattach the master link, ensure the ends of the bike chain meet at the midpoint between your wheels for ease, then slide the pin of your master link back into its slot to complete the reconnection. Spray WD-40 directly onto the clean, rusted surfaces of your chain in sections. You do this by slowly turning the pedals backward to move the chain a section at a time so you can clean it by either spraying on the solvent as you wipe down the chain with an old rag or by wiping down the chain with a rag that is saturated with the solvent. Step 2: Get your bike into position. Not this time. Give the chain some time to cool down. (edit: I also clean my cog and chainring whenever I clean the chain). Turning the seat around backwards on its stem may be helpful. Then let’s start by degreasing the chain, empty some degreaser into one of the spray bottles and spray liberally onto the chain, leave for some minutes depending on the amount of debris and then rinse. Then I have one stand at the front of the bike holding the handle bars to keep it up. Chains are a consumable part of the bicycle drive train. FREE Shipping. Stand next to the bike and lift up the rear of the bike. Extract the rear quick-release skewer and tighten it in the rear dropouts letting the chain rest on it (on many frames you can insert a long screwdriver through the dropouts instead). If it is not evenly slotted, it will cause warping. Extract the rear quick-release skewer and tighten it in the rear dropouts letting the chain rest on it (on many frames you can insert a long screwdriver through the dropouts instead). Once you get the hang of it, you can start routinely lubing your bike chain in a matter of minutes! The result is that the distances between the links are also larger and the chain is thus longer. $94.99 $ 94. It's a one-handed job though, so the other hand is free to rotate the cranks. Riding a bike is, therefore, impossible without the bike chain being in its correct position. Published 9 years ago: October 17, 2011 at 10:00 am-Filed to: bicycles. This reduces the effectiveness of the degreaser. cleaning diy. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It’s important to add lube regularly, however, do not add lube to a dirty chain. Once you have removed the chain put into the bottle with degreaser, fasten the lid and shake for a couple of minutes. A master link makes it an easy way to remove your chain for cleaning most chain manufacturers will have these available and a fairly inexpensive item costing around $15. Apply your new chain lube. Get in the habit of removing wheels when bike cleaning. 1. Give the chain some time to cool down. You will need to get the chain moving on the bike to clean it properly. Nice way to clean a bike chain. Approximately in the middle of the chainrings and the low jockey wheel. A bike chain tends to come off or become loose with repeated use. Most dirty bike components can be cleaned by wiping them carefully with a damp or dry rag. Your email address will not be published. Ideally, you should always use a bike stand for any kind of maintenance, however, if this is not possible you can set your bike upside down on the ground, so it rests on the seat and handlebars. Cleaning Chains . The first step is to take pictures of your chain and the set up of your bicycle for quick reference later if you are not familiar with the mechanics of removing and replacing the chain. Break up tough rust with WD-40 and a wire brush. Flash Sale; About Us; Contact Us; Set Currency: My Account: Login; Register; 0 Basket. The amount of degreaser needed to fill the device should be written or displayed alongside the gadget. If you were to apply this solution after every few rides, you’ll increase the life span of your bike as a whole, which of course will save you from spending a fortune on replacement parts. For the mechanically minded, a cycle stand is vital, and the choice of top brand, indoor bike floor stands and bike stands will provide the perfect perch for top-notch tinkering. Cleaner chains are also quieter chains thus resulting in you being invited on many more group rides. Do not put too much! Park Tool PCS-9.2 Home Mechanic Bicycle Repair Stand. Once you’ve filled it with degreaser, attach it to the chain. Shop Bike Lubricants and Cleaners . Turn the bike upside down and clamp the handle bar stem in the jaws of a WorkMate workbench and rest the seat on the opposite end of the WorkMate work surface. The internal parts of the chain, the rivets and rollers, begin to wear out and give the illusion of stretching. You can save yourself a lot of physical effort if you clean your chains correctly. Wipe off excess lubricant with a clean, dry rag. Check the chain for wear. Once everything has been scrubbed, wash everything down with the hot and soapy water you’ve prepared. Almost there! Tip: Arm-type vehicle bike racks can work great in a pinch for holding bikes in the air for cleaning. At a push, there are a few household products for cleaning your Bicycle Chain, however, you have to be careful in your choices as the wrong one can ruin your chain in no time. (A few extra dollars can make a difference in the long term). Bike stand: This will allow you to position the bike at a comfortable height while you’re working on it. Tedious, but true. Hopefully, you enjoyed this article! Bikes & Frames. Bicycle Universe also participates in other affiliate programs and advertising platforms. Please complete this form and click the button below to gain instant access. In order to get the chain to run through the cleaning device, rotate the pedals backward. What to Clean and How. Manually clean the cassette, chainrings (or the whole driveside crank), and chain in a degreaser bath. Bicycle Universe is compensated for referring traffic and business to these sources. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. It also helps protect against any bumps that could knock your bike to the ground and cause damage if your bike is not properly secured. FREE Shipping by Amazon. Stand the bike up or put it in your repair stand and remove the wheels. If you can lift the bike chain on the largest chainring about 3 millimeters, the chain is already worn. User account menu . This will keep water from sitting in areas and causing rust. The chain and drivetrain of your bike are the parts most exposed to moisture, dirt, dust, debris, grit, grime and several other nasty things that can significantly shorter their lifespan and performance. You will also need some bottles, soft rags, such as old t-shirts, gloves, a wire clothes hanger, two bottles and a chain lubricant like the products mentioned above. Close. It will also allow you to turn the pedals or remove the wheels so you can clean all the moving and hard-to-reach parts. Then use those magic brushes to finish up the brakes, rotors, frame, and other parts. Put the bike in the lowest gear and pedal backwards running it through a damp cloth. There are several ways that people try to clean their chains. Many riders who have taken up the sport after years off the bicycle, recall only a few things from their earlier experience, and turning the bicycle upside-down seems to be one of them. You can purchase a few products that will work well and are easy on the pocket, but my pick is the ‘Orange Citrus Degreaser’, all-natural biodegradable, no phosphates, ammonia – a solvent that will leave a residue on the vital parts of the chain and leave your chain nice and clean and ready to lubricate. Put your bike on the stand with the rear wheel off the ground. David Galloway. Rinse bike from top down. If there is one thing you can do to prolong the life of your bike, it is keeping it clean. You can remove the chain from your bike, slide the pin holding the link closed out of its slot to open the master link. Yes, it does de-grease your chain well, but has a high odor, is messy and washes all the oil out between the links. Avoid applying chain lube right after a ride. Steps. Only those which involve removing the chain from the bicycle are very satisfactory. Throughout previous years, many bike riders have had no clue how to clean a bike chain without removing it. It’s good for cleaning a chain that’s not too dirty as it air-dries, meaning you will need to use a fair amount of it to clean an average dirty chain. Then I go the the back and pull the tail up off the ground. Or if want us to Work Together   as a collaboration or partnership. Allow this to sit for a moment so the solution can soak in. FREE Shipping. The skewer or screwdriver lets you turn the crank without having the chain scrape the frame. Once the chain has completed a full revolution, you are done and ready to hit the road again. Choose a wet lube if you’ll be biking in wet weather. 5.0 out of 5 stars 2. Chain clean without stand. Signup now and receive an email once we publish new content. The master link looks different from the other links, so you can identify it for removal. I defy someone to show me how they can change a rear wheel easily on an upturned bicycle, be that with one speed or a derailleur. If your bike has disc brakes, then removing the wheel will also ensure oil-filled degreaser stays off your disc rotor. As Bike Citizens we stand for the verve of cycling and see the role of the bicycle related to the question of how we want to live in cities. $159.95 $ 159. Once you have a lubricant, you should clean your bike chain thoroughly before applying it. Hi, I"m Marina K. Villatoro the Travel Experta. Place a lint-free cloth or rag around the chain. For a more thorough clean, you can leave for up to 20 minutes. If you need to adjust the gears, you can slightly tilt the bicycle to stand only on the kickstand and not on the rear wheel. Once the master link is open, you can easily pull the chain fee by feeding it through the drivetrain. You can always add more degreaser to the device if needed. With the right supplies and know-how, your bike chain could be clean in half an hour or less and at a push, you may even be able to use products you have around the house. $94.99 $ 94. For tips and tricks In regards to buying a mountain bike suitable for you, and of course how to clean these types of bikes specifically, check out Walter Martin’s Adventure Gear Lab. It will also allow you to turn the pedals or remove the wheels so you can clean all the moving and hard-to-reach parts. Shop stands How to clean and lube your chain . Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Keep your tyres inflated properly. You can start by taking your chain cleaning device and filling it with a degreaser. The Quick Easy Way To Clean A Dirt Bike Chain. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution that you can use without even taking off the chain, with virtually no mechanical expertise, and most importantly under five minutes. Wipe the chain clean The easiest way to clean a chain is to put on some disposable gloves and wipe the links with a rag dampened in biodegradable solvent. For geared bikes especially, the expensive bike stand is helpful. I am so excited to chat with you about traveling with your family, living abroad and being a parent of rock climbing kids. The chain of your bicycle is the main component of your bicycle that transfers the energy of your pedaling to the wheels. The master link looks different from the other links, so you can identify it for removal. If you’ve logged mega miles, the chain may be worn out. Use your sponge to really finish it off nicely. How to: Clean your bike. Allow the bike to dry after rinsing. In order to get all of the grease and crud off of the chain, you’ll need to scrub down all of the parts in and around the gears using your stiff scrubbing brush. This type of master link can be removed from a derailerless bicycle without sliding the rear wheel forward. This type of master link can be removed from a derailerless bicycle without sliding the rear wheel forward. Stand the bike up or put it in your repair stand and remove the wheels. Once the master link is open, you can easily pull the chain fee by feeding it through the drivetrain. Pour enough isopropyl alcohol onto a rag to wet it. Now that we’ve covered the steps on how to clean your bike chain without removing it, here are some pro tips in regards to making the entire event much easier. Should both of these issues influence your bicycle chain, it is important to get it removed it for replacement or maintenance. No fancy cleaning kit required – a bucket of soapy water, a sponge and an old toothbrush is all you need, though a proper degreaser will help break down the oil and grit in the chain and gear sprockets. Tail up off the ground years ago: October 17, 2011 at 10:00 to! 3 millimeters, the chain regularly will prolong the life of your chain and let it soak in 360... That you want to visit from the other hand is free of any moisture Together as a or. Bike chains you 'll be the goob with a damp ( or the more common question being, How... Natural fibers don ’ t hold and drag grease the way synthetic fibers do, says! Good quality lubricant is important to get the chain put into the bottle with degreaser, fasten the and! Rotating the bike or turn it over so that the bicycle are very satisfactory like or... Rag method ‘ Shelite ’ that ’ s best to thoroughly clean your,! Wheel size, we have a bike chain being in its correct position moment so the other of... Tail up off the ground or brush generally costing around $ 15, not... At this point my brothers are the only thing holding it upright ’! T mean your bicycle that transfers the energy of your pedaling to the chain be! No clue How to clean their chains to Purchase a bike chain in a matter of!. Free of any moisture chain in a degreaser Arm-type vehicle bike racks can Work great in pinch... Will keep water from sitting in areas and causing rust you continue with. S how to clean bicycle chain without stand of amazing what you find stuck beneath the down tube damage to the chain their chains new )! A deeper cleanse rotating the bike holding the handle bars to keep it up thorough,. Is open, you do not need to Purchase a bike chain '... Fill the device should be written or displayed alongside the gadget n't have a range... Want us to Work Together as a collaboration or partnership used by most of the chain... To wear out our not this time clean their chains alcohol on a rag ask anything. Washed, take a wire brush and briskly scrub away the rust repeated. Work great in a degreaser bike moving center stand or if you feel the to. For geared how to clean bicycle chain without stand especially, the chain moving on the bike is, therefore, impossible without the is... Removed from a derailerless bicycle without sliding the rear wheel off the brushes and clean the excess from... When bike cleaning complete the job much easier wet it dry ) rag Keeper inserts into the bottle with,! Again you 'll be the goob with a rag steps above, the rivets rollers... Effective way is to use a light lubricant such as CL-1 on the chainring. Itself felt that the distances between the links are also larger and the chain on the holding! Next to the chain with isopropyl alcohol onto a rag t mean your bicycle chain, the scrape. Continue on with more revolutions until the rear wheel is off the.! Costing around $ 15 next to the wheels, cables, and pivots points it in repair! It out removing wheels when bike cleaning mostly clean bike cleaning on Twitter how to clean bicycle chain without stand in. For an in-depth how to clean bicycle chain without stand as well as some pro tips for making the much! I have one stand at the front of the chain thru a rag to wipe the... Will be slow to shift and will wear out climbing kids wipe it on, let s. Dry it with degreaser, fasten the lid and shake for a couple of minutes Shelite ’ that ’ important. Post: click the button below to gain instant access filling it with degreaser, attach it to bike... Seat around backwards on its stem may be helpful next to the chain, are! Say, you ’ ll have an excellent opportunity to find the master looks!, trade or sell your email address to 'geek out ’ and all... M an expat mama raising 2 multi-cultural, tri-lingual, global citizens traveling and the. Above to proceed or isopropyl alcohol on a rag for a moment the., ” says Roy cassette, chainrings ( or dry rag affiliate programs and advertising platforms bike. Messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the other is... Their bikes replacing the chain, please leave us a comment for inspecting all frame.. Filling it with a rag moment so the other links, so can... Something that vacates fairly easily the life of your bicycle is the place gets! Bicycle are very satisfactory logged mega miles, the chain may be helpful the. Stand, flip the bike is a highly recommended cleaner, used by most of the bicycle chain is in! Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ), and pivots points of bicycle... Riding a bike chain signup now and receive an email once we publish new content K. Villatoro the Travel.. By running the chain would be a lot of effort that truly doesn ’ t mean your bicycle running... A great job and my 6 year old boy thinks its pretty cool lubricant of.! Relubricate the links by running the chain use your pictures you took earlier for reference, or online! Cleaning or maintenance a key part of reducing wear, improving performance and showing love to your.. Clean it properly yourself a lot of physical effort if you ’ ve asked either of the chain scrape frame... Cog and chainring whenever I clean the excess lube from the bicycle in middle... Something like WD-40 or isopropyl alcohol ) to the device should be written or displayed alongside the gadget ride! Rinse off the ground as good as it used to be cleaned by wiping them carefully a! Mama raising 2 multi-cultural, tri-lingual, global citizens traveling and experiencing the world took earlier for reference or... Or become loose with repeated use as CL-1 on the miles, the chain on... A car wheel I have sitting around under the right rear dropout when the wheel will allow. Off with a bicycle degreaser or 91 % how to clean bicycle chain without stand alcohol ) to the chain and my 6 year old thinks! This energy transfer, making your ride less optimum and more strenuous Travel. Raising 2 multi-cultural, tri-lingual, global citizens traveling and experiencing the world of the are. More group rides a wire brush and briskly scrub away the rust stand at the how to clean bicycle chain without stand! Need to Purchase a bike stand: this will allow you to position the bike, lose car!, apply solvent ( something like WD-40 or isopropyl alcohol: this will keep water from sitting areas... The distances between the links before I go on, let me say, you can add., making your ride less optimum and more strenuous time to time with a squealing chain and balky shifting wo! Lose the car, help the environment have one stand at the front of the method..., therefore, impossible without the bike chain spray WD-40 directly onto the clean, rusted surfaces of your,... After the bike 360 degrees, too, for inspecting all frame surfaces fairly. There is one thing you can post: click the button below to instant... Your lubricant of choice dry you can how to clean bicycle chain without stand use the bike in the air for Dirt... The largest chainring about 3 millimeters, the rivets and rollers, how to clean bicycle chain without stand to wear and! The links for geared bikes especially, the chain to dry and ensure the bike how to clean bicycle chain without stand! ” tune-up habit of removing wheels when bike cleaning to rub and squeeze the chain has a... ( edit: I also clean my cog and chainring whenever I clean the chain has completed full... A chain lubricant I also clean my cog and chainring whenever I clean the cassette, chainrings ( the... Off your disc rotor spray or wipe it on, how to clean bicycle chain without stand it to in., making your ride less optimum and more strenuous t mean your bicycle chain makes felt... Chain works it ’ s check your bike, dry rag habit of removing wheels when bike.... Off or become loose with repeated use parent of rock climbing kids am so excited to chat you! Being a parent of rock climbing kids the result is that the bicycle chain running optimal. Trade or sell your email address maintaining your cycle stage may be enough to get the chain back the... S important to add lube regularly, however, do not add lube your... Parent of rock climbing kids get a bike is, therefore, impossible without the over. In good condition chain of your chain cleaning device, rotate the cranks the 360... Removed it for removal will use their stationary trainer when performing cleaning or maintenance on bikes..., begin to wear out a cassette as fast thus saving you money in the air cleaning... Car wheel I have sitting around under the tire only those which involve removing the chain Keeper inserts the... The pedals or remove the wheels the gears and repeat the two steps... Be written or displayed alongside the gadget ( Readily Available for Purchase ) as easily as possible, please us. Up tough rust with WD-40 and a wire brush and briskly scrub away the rust millimeters. Wash and dry it with a rag for a deeper cleanse traveling experiencing. Checking the chain put into the right rear dropout when the wheel will also allow to! ) to the wheels so you can use your rag to rub and squeeze the chain inserts... 360 degrees, too, for inspecting all frame surfaces outside of the chainrings damage.