Please Evaluate My Chain Cleaning Process

[Fitz]

I use a 9-speed HyperGlide chain and a SRAM PowerLink. SRAM highly
discourages use of a PowerLink with a HG chain, but I've not had a
single problem in over 4000K or use.

I need your thoughts on the following:

To clean, I soak the chain in Nashbar biodegradable solvent and then
hose it off with high-pressure water.

I lay the chain out on newspaper and allow it to "drain." Then I put
the chain in a tub of motor oil and allow it to soak overnight. Then I
hang the chain and let it drip. Finally, I wipe the excess oil off and
place the chain back on the bike.

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

Sincerely,

Fitz

 

[[email protected]]

Fitz wrote:
> I use a 9-speed HyperGlide chain and a SRAM PowerLink. SRAM highly
> discourages use of a PowerLink with a HG chain, but I've not had a
> single problem in over 4000K or use.
>
> I need your thoughts on the following:
>
> To clean, I soak the chain in Nashbar biodegradable solvent and then
> hose it off with high-pressure water.
>
> I lay the chain out on newspaper and allow it to "drain." Then I put
> the chain in a tub of motor oil and allow it to soak overnight. Then I
> hang the chain and let it drip. Finally, I wipe the excess oil off and
> place the chain back on the bike.
>
> Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Fitz


I think you have to much time on your hands.

 

[sal bass]

12+ hours to clean a chain????




Fitz wrote:
> I use a 9-speed HyperGlide chain and a SRAM PowerLink. SRAM highly
> discourages use of a PowerLink with a HG chain, but I've not had a
> single problem in over 4000K or use.
>
> I need your thoughts on the following:
>
> To clean, I soak the chain in Nashbar biodegradable solvent and then
> hose it off with high-pressure water.
>
> I lay the chain out on newspaper and allow it to "drain." Then I put
> the chain in a tub of motor oil and allow it to soak overnight. Then I
> hang the chain and let it drip. Finally, I wipe the excess oil off and
> place the chain back on the bike.
>
> Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Fitz

 

[R Brickston]

On 15 Aug 2006 14:25:13 -0700, "Fitz" <[email protected]> wrote:

>I use a 9-speed HyperGlide chain and a SRAM PowerLink. SRAM highly
>discourages use of a PowerLink with a HG chain, but I've not had a
>single problem in over 4000K or use.
>
>I need your thoughts on the following:
>
>To clean, I soak the chain in Nashbar biodegradable solvent and then
>hose it off with high-pressure water.
>
>I lay the chain out on newspaper and allow it to "drain." Then I put
>the chain in a tub of motor oil and allow it to soak overnight. Then I
>hang the chain and let it drip. Finally, I wipe the excess oil off and
>place the chain back on the bike.
>
>Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Fitz

I think you need to visit a research lab and put the chain in a high
speed centrifuge to get the water out and then repeat in the oil
solution to make sure you get all the nooks and crannies. The latter
operation will save quite a few hours over the time waster of
overnight soaking.

 

[Fitz]

Man! That's what I need to ask the wife for: a new centrifuge!

I'll be the envy of every garage mechanic on the PLANET!!

: - )

===================


R Brickston wrote:
> On 15 Aug 2006 14:25:13 -0700, "Fitz" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I use a 9-speed HyperGlide chain and a SRAM PowerLink. SRAM highly
> >discourages use of a PowerLink with a HG chain, but I've not had a
> >single problem in over 4000K or use.
> >
> >I need your thoughts on the following:
> >
> >To clean, I soak the chain in Nashbar biodegradable solvent and then
> >hose it off with high-pressure water.
> >
> >I lay the chain out on newspaper and allow it to "drain." Then I put
> >the chain in a tub of motor oil and allow it to soak overnight. Then I
> >hang the chain and let it drip. Finally, I wipe the excess oil off and
> >place the chain back on the bike.
> >
> >Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >
> >Fitz
>
> I think you need to visit a research lab and put the chain in a high
> speed centrifuge to get the water out and then repeat in the oil
> solution to make sure you get all the nooks and crannies. The latter
> operation will save quite a few hours over the time waster of
> overnight soaking.

 

[R Brickston]

On 15 Aug 2006 16:11:14 -0700, "Fitz" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Man! That's what I need to ask the wife for: a new centrifuge!
>
>I'll be the envy of every garage mechanic on the PLANET!!
>
>: - )
>

Hmmphf... Well, I can see that you scoff at such a purchase...
However, think about the time it will save going to the lab and back.
And if the OP is /really/ a conscientious cycling enthusiast and not
just some biking poser, it could be weekly. Quite a time savings.

>===================
>
>
>R Brickston wrote:
>> On 15 Aug 2006 14:25:13 -0700, "Fitz" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> >I use a 9-speed HyperGlide chain and a SRAM PowerLink. SRAM highly
>> >discourages use of a PowerLink with a HG chain, but I've not had a
>> >single problem in over 4000K or use.
>> >
>> >I need your thoughts on the following:
>> >
>> >To clean, I soak the chain in Nashbar biodegradable solvent and then
>> >hose it off with high-pressure water.
>> >
>> >I lay the chain out on newspaper and allow it to "drain." Then I put
>> >the chain in a tub of motor oil and allow it to soak overnight. Then I
>> >hang the chain and let it drip. Finally, I wipe the excess oil off and
>> >place the chain back on the bike.
>> >
>> >Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
>> >
>> >Sincerely,
>> >
>> >Fitz
>>
>> I think you need to visit a research lab and put the chain in a high
>> speed centrifuge to get the water out and then repeat in the oil
>> solution to make sure you get all the nooks and crannies. The latter
>> operation will save quite a few hours over the time waster of
>> overnight soaking.

 

[[email protected]]

I shower and shampoo the chain daily, applying a conditioner such as
Vidal Sassoon Aloe Herbal chain conditioner.

Once a month I bathe myself in degreaser and hang dry overnight.

 

[Mike Causer]

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:31:11 -0700, sal bass wrote:

> 12+ hours to clean a chain????

No problem if you have a selection of bikes to ride. The downside of
which is that they can all get relegated to the back of the shed awaiting
some repair or other until to your surprise none of them are ridable.


Mike "down to two of four"

 

[[email protected]]

Fitz wrote:
> I use a 9-speed HyperGlide chain and a SRAM PowerLink. SRAM highly
> discourages use of a PowerLink with a HG chain, but I've not had a
> single problem in over 4000K or use.
>
> I need your thoughts on the following:
>
> To clean, I soak the chain in Nashbar biodegradable solvent and then
> hose it off with high-pressure water.
>
> I lay the chain out on newspaper and allow it to "drain." Then I put
> the chain in a tub of motor oil and allow it to soak overnight. Then I
> hang the chain and let it drip. Finally, I wipe the excess oil off and
> place the chain back on the bike.
>
> Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Fitz

Dear Fitz,

Lather, rinse, repeat!

On a slightly more practical note, I used to fuss with my chain a great
deal, too.

Now I just replace it every 3-4 months with $6 chains bought on sale
from Nashbar, one of the advantages of older 7-speed technology.

Remember, no matter how you clean it, a chain exposed to road dust
wears out. Is it really worth all that effort to try to make a chain
last some undetermined extra number of miles? Unless you enjoy the
process as much as cowboys like brushing down horses, chain-cleaning
involves far too much mess, fuss, time, and material.

You could time the whole procedure some day, including chain removal,
cleaning, rituals, re-installation, and all the hand-cleaning,
garbage-disposal, and minor mistakes that get forgotten. (Those pesky
quick-links can be infernally slow some days.)

Timing the procedure would open up a whole new topic, namely what's the
fastest, most efficient method of cleaning half-worn-out chains.

But it does give RBT something to debate, which is fun.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

 

[Bill Sornson]

[email protected] wrote:
> I shower and shampoo the chain daily, applying a conditioner such as
> Vidal Sassoon Aloe Herbal chain conditioner.
>
> Once a month I bathe myself in degreaser and hang dry overnight.

I've decided to think you're a woman.

 

[[email protected]]

R Brickston wrote:
> On 15 Aug 2006 14:25:13 -0700, "Fitz" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I use a 9-speed HyperGlide chain and a SRAM PowerLink. SRAM highly
> >discourages use of a PowerLink with a HG chain, but I've not had a
> >single problem in over 4000K or use.
> >
> >I need your thoughts on the following:
> >
> >To clean, I soak the chain in Nashbar biodegradable solvent and then
> >hose it off with high-pressure water.
> >
> >I lay the chain out on newspaper and allow it to "drain." Then I put
> >the chain in a tub of motor oil and allow it to soak overnight. Then I
> >hang the chain and let it drip. Finally, I wipe the excess oil off and
> >place the chain back on the bike.
> >
> >Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >
> >Fitz
>
> I think you need to visit a research lab and put the chain in a high
> speed centrifuge to get the water out and then repeat in the oil
> solution to make sure you get all the nooks and crannies. The latter
> operation will save quite a few hours over the time waster of
> overnight soaking.

A centrifuge? That's fine for all the Freds; we Serious Cyclists stick
our chains in a cyclotron. Those accelerated particles really get the
grit off in jig time!

 

[[email protected]]

[email protected] wrote:
> Fitz wrote:
> > I use a 9-speed HyperGlide chain and a SRAM PowerLink. SRAM highly
> > discourages use of a PowerLink with a HG chain, but I've not had a
> > single problem in over 4000K or use.
> >
> > I need your thoughts on the following:
> >
> > To clean, I soak the chain in Nashbar biodegradable solvent and then
> > hose it off with high-pressure water.
> >
> > I lay the chain out on newspaper and allow it to "drain." Then I put
> > the chain in a tub of motor oil and allow it to soak overnight. Then I
> > hang the chain and let it drip. Finally, I wipe the excess oil off and
> > place the chain back on the bike.
> >
> > Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Fitz
>
> Dear Fitz,
>
> Lather, rinse, repeat!
>
> On a slightly more practical note, I used to fuss with my chain a great
> deal, too.
>
> Now I just replace it every 3-4 months with $6 chains bought on sale
> from Nashbar, one of the advantages of older 7-speed technology.
>
> Remember, no matter how you clean it, a chain exposed to road dust
> wears out. Is it really worth all that effort to try to make a chain
> last some undetermined extra number of miles? Unless you enjoy the
> process as much as cowboys like brushing down horses, chain-cleaning
> involves far too much mess, fuss, time, and material.
>
> You could time the whole procedure some day, including chain removal,
> cleaning, rituals, re-installation, and all the hand-cleaning,
> garbage-disposal, and minor mistakes that get forgotten. (Those pesky
> quick-links can be infernally slow some days.)
>
> Timing the procedure would open up a whole new topic, namely what's the
> fastest, most efficient method of cleaning half-worn-out chains.
>
> But it does give RBT something to debate, which is fun.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Carl Fogel

What? No links to SheldonBrownSez???

 

[RonSonic]

On Wed, 16 Aug 2006 01:07:42 +0100, Mike Causer
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:31:11 -0700, sal bass wrote:
>
>> 12+ hours to clean a chain????
>
>No problem if you have a selection of bikes to ride. The downside of
>which is that they can all get relegated to the back of the shed awaiting
>some repair or other until to your surprise none of them are ridable.

Now dammit how long you been spying on me.

Ron

 

[Blair P. Houghton]

Fitz wrote:
> Man! That's what I need to ask the wife for: a new centrifuge!
>
> I'll be the envy of every garage mechanic on the PLANET!!

You have a centrifuge.

Put the chain back on the bike and spin the pedals backwards
as fast as you can.

--Blair

 

[Blair P. Houghton]

[email protected] wrote:
> A centrifuge? That's fine for all the Freds; we Serious Cyclists stick
> our chains in a cyclotron. Those accelerated particles really get the
> grit off in jig time!

Two words: Spin Cycle.

Just get it out before the tub fills again.

--Blair

 

[Mark]

Blair P. Houghton wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
>
>>A centrifuge? That's fine for all the Freds; we Serious Cyclists stick
>>our chains in a cyclotron. Those accelerated particles really get the
>>grit off in jig time!
>
>
> Two words: Spin Cycle.
>
> Just get it out before the tub fills again.

Then get out of the house before the S.O. finds out.

Mark J.

 

[[email protected]]

Bill Sornson wrote:

> I've decided to think you're a woman.

If this is the kind of thing you've come to associate with the women in
your life, then you go right ahead.

 

[Werehatrack]

On 15 Aug 2006 14:25:13 -0700, "Fitz" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

If it's producing good results for you, no further discussion is
needed. Ride and smile.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

 

[Bill Sornson]

[email protected] wrote:
> Bill Sornson wrote:

>> I've decided to think you're a woman.

> If this is the kind of thing you've come to associate with the women
> in your life, then you go right ahead.

Um, if WHAT is the kind of thing? (You see, you DELETED that which prompted
my comment, rendering /your/ comment essentially meaningless to a new
reader.)

Not to mention, of course, that my post was intended to be good-natured and
not in any way insulting. Perhaps you failed to grasp that?

Bill "think we've got a budding AHZ here" S.

 

[[email protected]]

I have neither the time nor the inclination to make a big deal of chain
cleaning.

If chain is dry I lube it with washing up liquid, then spin it on the
bike while pouring hot water over it, then oil it (I use motor oil).

If dirty, I spin it while pouring diesel or paraffin with some oil in
it. The diesel evaporates, leaving the oil. This is a terrific touring
chain-cleaning technique. You just need some waste-ground. Don't use
petrol as it's dodgy stuff.