Cleaning a chain on tour

This is what I do.

I go to a petrol station, pick up an empty engine oil container out of
their trash can (there's always some oil in it) get a litre of diesel
or whatever amount it holds in it, take the bike to a trashy place and
pour this over the chain while rotating. The diesel cleans the chain
and evaporates, leaving the oil. Dirty technique but effective.

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a
Performance chain cleaning
tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
minimize weight, I don't want to
carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain
without such a tool? Would an old
tootbrush work well?

-- Paul

Use this for lube and never have to clean your chain again...

http://www.alssports.com/ecomminc/prodpgs/1/DUMONDE_TECH_ORIGINAL_7623.asp

We use it off road and it's amazing.

Mike

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a Performance
chain cleaning
tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
minimize weight, I don't want to
carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain without such
a tool? Would an old
tootbrush work well?

-- Paul

Snap link in the chain to be able to disconnect it and take it
off..plastic bottle, small amount of something like mineral
spirits...shake, dry, put on, lube, sleep, eat, ride...

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a Performance
chain cleaning
tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
minimize weight, I don't want to
carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain without such
a tool? Would an old
tootbrush work well?

-- Paul

When I was on a summer tour back in the early 1990s, I stopped at a
bike shop midway through and bought one of the plastic clean chaining
brush things, like your Performance tool or the Finish Line one. The
kit came with the degreaser. I then put the small plastic thing in
the bottom of the panniers and carried it the rest of the way. I
supose you could use it and toss it.

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a Performance
chain cleaning
tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
minimize weight, I don't want to
carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain without such
a tool? Would an old
tootbrush work well?

Quoted message said:

-- Paul

Snap link in the chain to be able to disconnect it and take it
off..plastic bottle, small amount of something like mineral
spirits...shake, dry, put on, lube, sleep, eat, ride...

Or, (using snaplinks) carry an extra chain (sized, lubed, ready-to-go)
in a ziploc bag. When chain #1 gets too grungy, install chain #2. Take
chain #1 home with ya in the ziploc, or, if it's too worn, toss it.
An extra chain doesn't weigh much or take up much room and it's also
good "insurance" should something happen to the other chain.

Ozark Bicycle said:

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

On Jun 8, 12:14 am, "Paul A. Steckler" <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a Performance
chain cleaning
tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
minimize weight, I don't want to
carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain without such
a tool? Would an old
tootbrush work well?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

-- Paul

Quoted message said:

Snap link in the chain to be able to disconnect it and take it
off..plastic bottle, small amount of something like mineral
spirits...shake, dry, put on, lube, sleep, eat, ride...

Or, (using snaplinks) carry an extra chain (sized, lubed, ready-to-go)
in a ziploc bag. When chain #1 gets too grungy, install chain #2. Take
chain #1 home with ya in the ziploc, or, if it's too worn, toss it.
An extra chain doesn't weigh much or take up much room and it's also
good "insurance" should something happen to the other chain.

To add to that, start with a brand new chain. Wipe the outside clean
with a solvent soaked cloth. Paint thinner or WD40 works fine. The
trick is to keep the thick factory lube on the inside. Wipe off the
chain occasionally while under tour with a dry rag when it's covered
with schmutz. You may well be able to do the entire tour without
messing about with your chain--I've got one bike that's done 1500
miles on factory lube and still doesn't need chain servicing. In dry
conditions of course. Definitely ditto the advice about a spare chain.

Alternately, bring a small bottle of a wax based lube and drip it in
every 500 miles or so. You don't need to clean your chain with such
stuff. Your drivetrain may look pretty gross at the end of a tour
because of wax build up, but who wants to clean chains when on tour?

There are plenty of options, I currently have bikes running oil, wax,
and factory lube. Whatever works.

"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Jun 8, 7:33 am, Qui si parla Campagnolo <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a
Performance
chain cleaning
tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean.
To
minimize weight, I don't want to
carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain
without such
a tool? Would an old
tootbrush work well?

Quoted message said:

-- Paul

Snap link in the chain to be able to disconnect it and take it
off..plastic bottle, small amount of something like mineral
spirits...shake, dry, put on, lube, sleep, eat, ride...

Or, (using snaplinks) carry an extra chain (sized, lubed,
ready-to-go)
in a ziploc bag. When chain #1 gets too grungy, install chain #2.
Take
chain #1 home with ya in the ziploc, or, if it's too worn, toss it.
An extra chain doesn't weigh much or take up much room and it's also
good "insurance" should something happen to the other chain.

I just take a few links and a chain tool which allows me to remove the
chain when the snap link is gunked up and doesn't really work -- which
is most of the time. The only time I broke a chain on tour, I just
shortened it up and rode to the next town and bought a chain (I wasn't
carrying any spare links). The last two chains I broke just riding
around broke at the snap link.

I clean my chain with white gas or whatever stove fuel I had hanging
around (MSR burns anything). Use a plastic pop bottle or water bottle
like Peter said. -- Jay Beattie.

Garry Lee said:

This is what I do.

I go to a petrol station, pick up an empty engine oil container out of
their trash can (there's always some oil in it) get a litre of diesel
or whatever amount it holds in it, take the bike to a trashy place and
pour this over the chain while rotating. The diesel cleans the chain
and evaporates, leaving the oil. Dirty technique but effective.

Good idea, but he might put a master link in the chain, and do something
similar. You can always find an empty plastic container (1 liter soda
bottle or something like that) to put some diesel fuel into it with the
chain. Shake, rinse, repeat. Then use some spray chain lube, foaming
motorcycle chain lube is the best, chain saw oil is also good. Getting
rid of the dirty solvent is an issue though.

Maybe use a stove that will burn kerosene, then use kerosene for the
solvent, filter the used solvent through a coffee filter, and burn the
solvent.

Jay Beattie said:

I clean my chain with white gas or whatever stove fuel I had hanging
around (MSR burns anything). Use a plastic pop bottle or water bottle
like Peter said. -- Jay Beattie.

Yes, this would work fine, though white gas is explosive. I'd use a
stove that can burn kerosene, and use kerosene as the solvent as it's
not explosive, though in a sealed plastic bottle with the chain I don't
think white gas is all that dangerous.

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a Performance
chain cleaning
tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
minimize weight, I don't want to
carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain without such
a tool? Would an old
tootbrush work well?

I have often stopped at an auto mechanic while on tour, and asked to use
their parts washer. Any mechanic will have one. It's like a sink that
dispenses cleaning solvent. It has a built-in method for filtering
and re-using the solvent. Cleaning the chain with it takes a minute
and is mess-free. The mechanics have always been happy to let me use
it.

--
K.

Lang may your lum reek.

Jay Beattie said:

"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]> wrote in
messagenews:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Jun 8, 7:33 am, Qui si parla Campagnolo <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On Jun 8, 12:14 am, "Paul A. Steckler" <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a
> Performance
> chain cleaning
> tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean.
> To
> minimize weight, I don't want to
> carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain
> without such
> a tool? Would an old
> tootbrush work well?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> -- Paul

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Snap link in the chain to be able to disconnect it and take it
off..plastic bottle, small amount of something like mineral
spirits...shake, dry, put on, lube, sleep, eat, ride...

Quoted message said:

Or, (using snaplinks) carry an extra chain (sized, lubed,
ready-to-go)
in a ziploc bag. When chain #1 gets too grungy, install chain #2.
Take
chain #1 home with ya in the ziploc, or, if it's too worn, toss it.
An extra chain doesn't weigh much or take up much room and it's also
good "insurance" should something happen to the other chain.

I just take a few links and a chain tool which allows me to remove the
chain when the snap link is gunked up and doesn't really work -- which
is most of the time. The only time I broke a chain on tour, I just
shortened it up and rode to the next town and bought a chain (I wasn't
carrying any spare links). The last two chains I broke just riding
around broke at the snap link.

I clean my chain with white gas or whatever stove fuel I had hanging
around (MSR burns anything). Use a plastic pop bottle or water bottle
like Peter said.

Well, there are things I'd rather do whilst on a tour than clean a
chain. I prefer to just pull a clean one out of my stuff, if needed.
YMMV.

you need ah complete coverage chainguard
but try
DIY CHAIN GUARD $2 PLUS
from RBT archives at search the group right upper

"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Jay Beattie said:

"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]> wrote in

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Well, there are things I'd rather do whilst on a tour than clean a
chain. I prefer to just pull a clean one out of my stuff, if needed.
YMMV.

YMMV really applies to touring, too. While riding across the U.S. in
'81, I rode a few days with a guy who had nothing but a sleeping bag
with clothes stuffed in it, a bivy sack and a handlebar bag with a few
necessaries. This guy was camping and not credit card touring. I met
another guy who had panniers on every possible tube, rack, bar, post,
etc. He candidly admitted that he liked to carry a lot of stuff. I
met him riding through a very hot part of Wyoming. I asked him how he
coped with the heat, and he said "I smoke a lot of dope." Interesting
approach. We were riding opposite directions, and I don't know what
happened to him. He could still be out there somewhere. -- Jay
Beattie.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Michael Dart said:

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a
Performance chain cleaning
tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
minimize weight, I don't want to
carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain
without such a tool? Would an old
tootbrush work well?

-- Paul

Use this for lube and never have to clean your chain again...

http://www.alssports.com/ecomminc/prodpgs/1/DUMONDE_TECH_ORIGINAL_7623.asp

this is where I stopped reading:

"To get the best results from BCL, first clean your
chain and dry it thoroughly prior to the first
application. This effectively primes the surface for
the "plating" effect..."

Quoted message said:

We use it off road and it's amazing.

--
Michael Press

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a Performance
chain cleaning
tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
minimize weight, I don't want to
carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain without such
a tool? Would an old
tootbrush work well?

What a pain. I use Pedro's ice wax and all you need to do is wipe
down the chain with a rag and apply. I ride 150+ miles/week and
apply it every weekend. I get 2.5k miles to the chain and I don't
understand why people go to heroic efforts to drive the fine
dirt into their rollers. I guess it's one of those Campy/Shimano
things.

Bob

Michael Press said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Michael Dart said:

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a
Performance chain cleaning
tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
minimize weight, I don't want to
carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain
without such a tool? Would an old
tootbrush work well?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

-- Paul

Quoted message said:

Use this for lube and never have to clean your chain again...

Quoted message said:

http://www.alssports.com/ecomminc/prodpgs/1/DUMONDE_TECH_ORIGINAL_762...

this is where I stopped reading:

"To get the best results from BCL, first clean your
chain and dry it thoroughly prior to the first
application. This effectively primes the surface for
the "plating" effect..."

Did that pin your BS Meter? It pinned mine.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

We use it off road and it's amazing.

$9.95 for 4oz; I know I'm amazed.

Ozark Bicycle said:

Michael Press said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
"Michael Dart" <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Paul A. Steckler wrote:
> I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a
> Performance chain cleaning
> tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
> minimize weight, I don't want to
> carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain
> without such a tool? Would an old
> tootbrush work well?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> -- Paul

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Use this for lube and never have to clean your chain again...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.alssports.com/ecomminc/prodpgs/1/DUMONDE_TECH_ORIGINAL_762...

Quoted message said:

this is where I stopped reading:

Quoted message said:

"To get the best results from BCL, first clean your
chain and dry it thoroughly prior to the first
application. This effectively primes the surface for
the "plating" effect..."

Did that pin your BS Meter? It pinned mine.

Does it have directional lubrication? If so, that's no BS, mister!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

We use it off road and it's amazing.

$9.95 for 4oz; I know I'm amazed.

PMSL. While I use White Lightning on the bike that I ride in pants, my
standard lube costs something like $2/L to make. *g*

wax sucks. wax is for dirt not road. wax sucks. yeah yeah wax sucks

friction test:
uzing finish line epic oil on an 8 speed standard CR 52/44, dirt is
fine quartz sand (sugar sand), 50-70 mile legs at 16-18 mph up and
down wind 10 mph
3 grams (of sand) lost 2 to 3 gears thru friction losses!
try valvoline synthetic transmission at NAPA
fabricate a complete chaingaurd from 5 gallon plastic motor oil jugs
use the $2 guard for the front wheel spray, wrap a plastic guard
around the rear wheels front: chainstays to seat stays.
ITS TWO-THREE GEARS ON 3 GRAMS! try formulating that energy loss cross
country!

wax sucks yeah yeah wax sucks

landotter said:

On Jun 8, 5:37 pm, Ozark Bicycle

Quoted message said:

On Jun 8, 5:20 pm, Michael Press <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
"Michael Dart" <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Paul A. Steckler wrote:
> > I'm going on a cross-country tour this summer. At home, I use a
> > Performance chain cleaning
> > tool with water and degreaser. That really gets the chain clean. To
> > minimize weight, I don't want to
> > carry that tool with me. What's a good way to clean the chain
> > without such a tool? Would an old
> > tootbrush work well?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > -- Paul

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Use this for lube and never have to clean your chain again...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>http://www.alssports.com/ecomminc/prodpgs/1/DUMONDE_TECH_ORIGINAL_762...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

this is where I stopped reading:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"To get the best results from BCL, first clean your
chain and dry it thoroughly prior to the first
application. This effectively primes the surface for
the "plating" effect..."

Quoted message said:

Did that pin your BS Meter? It pinned mine.

Does it have directional lubrication? If so, that's no BS, mister!

"solvents and degreasers will remove the [...] plating." (!!!!!!!)

Geez, why can't they just say "coating" instead of "plating"?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> We use it off road and it's amazing.

Quoted message said:

$9.95 for 4oz; I know I'm amazed.

PMSL. While I use White Lightning on the bike that I ride in pants, my
standard lube costs something like $2/L to make. *g*-

The sad reality is that they probably sell more of it at $9.95/4oz
than they would at $9.95/gal ("this stuff is expensive! It *must* be
good."😉