Author Topic: Chain Cleaner  (Read 13756 times)

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sackcycle

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Chain Cleaner
« on: January 07, 2011, 08:09:24 pm »
Looking for a chain cleaning tool that packs well, any thoughts on what to take?

Offline John Nelson

Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2011, 10:07:21 pm »
Toothbrush?

I have a chain cleaning tool, but I don't tour with it. In fact, I don't clean my chain anymore unless it gets muddy. My chain lube keeps the chain plenty clean.

Offline knolltop

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Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2011, 11:10:14 pm »
My chain lube keeps the chain plenty clean.
Hoping you're right as I'm planning on taking just chain lube next year.
 ;)
+-+ Michael +-+

sackcycle

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Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2011, 11:29:47 pm »
Toothbrush?

I have a chain cleaning tool, but I don't tour with it. In fact, I don't clean my chain anymore unless it gets muddy. My chain lube keeps the chain plenty clean.
Will any lube work? Thanks George

Offline lonerider

Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2011, 05:36:50 am »
Using a wax based formula seems to be best for a clean running chain. The only drawbacks are wet weather performance not as good as oil based products and shifting performance can be a tad noisier than oil based lubes.

Offline knolltop

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Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2011, 08:57:53 am »
Chain lube .... will create as much flame as panniers vs trailer or which motoroil to use in your motorbike.
 ::) ::) ::)
 :)
+-+ Michael +-+

Offline bogiesan

Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2011, 09:58:48 am »
Looking for a chain cleaning tool that packs well, any thoughts on what to take?

Depends on the route, expected weather, and the ride's support.
If you mean one of those packaged brush systems, too heavy and messy for a self-contained tour and you're just as likely to lose one of the little parts. Unless, of course, someone else will carry it for you.
 
You just need a rag and your lube of choice.
As others have noted, please don't start another chain lube thread. Just buy one you like.

I lube every 100 miles or immediately after riding in rain but I ride road tours. If you're riding muddy mountain trails, your mileage should already indicate what to bring.

david boise ID
I play go. I use Macintosh. Of course I ride a recumbent

Offline staehpj1

Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2011, 11:40:46 am »
My approach is to lube with T-9, wipe off, and ride.  I am convinced that cleaning often shortens the life of a chain by allowing grit to penetrate deeper and killing the lube there as well.  On those few occasions where the chain gets so gritty that the lube and wipe isn't sufficient, a light rinse with water or WD40 is in order, but I try to limit that to only once in a great while (like twice or maybe three times in 10,000 miles).

I typically get 10K miles or so from my chains so I don't think the lack of cleaning has been a big problem.

BTW, we got horrible build up when we tried a wax based lube (White Lightning), and yes we applied according to the instructions on the bottle.

I really like Boeshield T-9, but Pedro's and Phil Wood lubes have both worked well for me in the past.

Offline John Nelson

Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2011, 11:54:08 am »
I agree--no need to start a lube war. Buy any lube that claims to provide a cleaning function. I don't bother carrying a rag either. I just use paper napkins or towels. I know it's not as good as the rag, and it might leave paper fibers on the chain, but it's also not as messy.

Offline whittierider

Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2011, 02:22:29 pm »
Quote
BTW, we got horrible build up when we tried a wax-based lube (White Lightning)
Have you tried their "shedding formula"?  I expect that probably fixes that problem.

Offline staehpj1

Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #10 on: January 08, 2011, 03:23:23 pm »
Quote
BTW, we got horrible build up when we tried a wax-based lube (White Lightning)
Have you tried their "shedding formula"?  I expect that probably fixes that problem.
Not sure what the stuff was, but I think the claim was that it was supposed to shed.  This was in 2007, not sure if the formulation has changed since then.

sackcycle

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Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2011, 04:30:00 pm »
I was'nt trying to inflame the lube passion; going on my 1st tour, well make that my 2nd tried last year at doing the Yellowstone and Grand Teton's but failed some of my problems was either wrong gear or lack of.until I found this site, I do use the search and I did'nt see anything on chain lube. I do enjoy everybodys input. Best regards George

Offline lonerider

Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #12 on: January 08, 2011, 05:10:12 pm »
Nothing wrong with a good ol' fashioned lube thread!

Offline rvklassen

Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #13 on: January 08, 2011, 09:21:45 pm »
When it came up on the tandem forum it turned out that there was a very high correlation to be drawn between chain lube preferences and climate.  Seems the lubes that keep a chain from rusting if rained on attract dirt, especially in dry, dusty environments, and lubes that keep a chain clean in a dusty environment don't prevent rust, and therefore need to be re-applied after any rain.  There may be some that are a compromise.  All of which makes for no perfectly satisfactory solution for anyone on a long distance tour which will cross many climates.

Back to the original question, it didn't seem immediately to be about lubing, but about cleaning.  But in reality what most people do to clean is either to use a parafin-type lube that doesn't need cleaning (but it helps if you live in the desert) or an oil-based lube that also flushes out at least some of the dirt and then you wipe it after it has had a bit of time to penetrate, to hopefully get most of the dirt off the outside, including any that may have been flushed out.  And yes, it seems people get practically religious about the two approaches - hence the comments about lube threads.

Offline driftlessregion

Re: Chain Cleaner
« Reply #14 on: January 08, 2011, 11:21:03 pm »
No, I'd never take a cleaning tool with me. Using ProLink I never have to clean grit off anyway, but in any case on a weeks long trip I'd consider the chain getting a little more worn for lack of cleaning brushes just another cost of the tour. ProLink (http://www.progoldmfr.com/products/prolink.html) is amazing stuff. Used properly (clean chain initially, let sit overnight to soak in, wipe clean) never collects grit.
100 miles only for one application? Sounds like a waste to me. Unless I rode for hours in the rain, no need to reapply ProLink or any lube until the first auditory sign that it is needed, which is usually several hundred miles for ProLink.