Things I’ve Learned as a Beginner Cyclist, Part 1 - Clean Your Drivetrain #cycling #bikelover #bikes, by Marc Does More on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Shift onto the smallest chainring at the front and the smallest sprocket at the back. This slackens the chain and moves the derailleur clear of your brushes.
Brush off loose dirt and grit from the chain, cassette and chainrings while everything is dry. Dry brushing first stops grit turning into a grinding paste.
Put on gloves and spray degreaser along the chain and over the cassette and chainrings. Leave it to work for three to five minutes.
Scrub the chain with a chain brush, turning the cranks backwards slowly so every link passes through the bristles. Work around the whole loop twice.
Scrub the cassette and chainrings with a stiff brush, then wipe the worst of the black sludge off with a rag. Repeat degreaser and scrubbing on any stubborn spots.
Rinse with plain water or a soapy rag. Keep the hose on a gentle flow and away from wheel hubs, bottom bracket and headset bearings.
Dry the chain and gears with a clean rag and let the bike air dry for a few minutes. Water left in the links pushes out your fresh lube.
Apply one drop of chain lube to each link while turning the cranks backwards. Wipe off the excess with a rag so dirt sticks less next ride.
Tips and common mistakes
Clean your drivetrain roughly every 150 to 200 km, or sooner after riding in rain or on dusty trails.
Never use a high pressure jet wash near bearings, because water gets past the seals and ruins them.
Use a dedicated bike degreaser rather than petrol or brake cleaner, which can damage paint and plastic parts.
Relube straight after cleaning, since a dry chain rusts fast and wears out quickly.
Questions
Do I have to take the chain off to clean it?
No. A chain brush plus degreaser gets a chain plenty clean while it stays on the bike. Removing it is only worth it for a deep clean or when you are replacing it anyway.
Can I use ordinary washing up liquid?
It works as a mild cleaner for the frame and a lightly dirty chain. For heavy grease, use a proper bike degreaser, and rinse well so no soapy residue is left behind.
How do I know when the chain needs replacing?
Check it with a chain wear tool every few months. If it drops in past the 0.5 or 0.75 mark, replace the chain before it wears out the cassette too.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
