Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin K on July 23, 2012 at 5:49pm

Thanks all!  I'm going to try some of your suggestions out, I'm sure they'll be an improvement from my previous lubing regimen. I also bought the Finish Line chain cleaning kit off Amazon, that thing is uber-handy.

NOTE -- for degreasing your bike, try automotive brake cleaner. You can get a can for $5 at any auto store, will last you a good while.  The stuff melts off grime, oil, the emulsified lube/water/sand/grit in your chain, derailleur pulleys, chainrings, etc.  Not exactly "green" but extremely effective.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 24, 2012 at 4:34am

I would not use that stuff on my bike.  It is going to wash lube out from deep in the chain and it is hard on any parts that are plastic.

Kevin Kelly said:

Thanks all!  I'm going to try some of your suggestions out, I'm sure they'll be an improvement from my previous lubing regimen. I also bought the Finish Line chain cleaning kit off Amazon, that thing is uber-handy.

NOTE -- for degreasing your bike, try automotive brake cleaner. You can get a can for $5 at any auto store, will last you a good while.  The stuff melts off grime, oil, the emulsified lube/water/sand/grit in your chain, derailleur pulleys, chainrings, etc.  Not exactly "green" but extremely effective.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin K on July 24, 2012 at 10:35am

I don't use it often, and I obviously don't force it into the bottom bracket, etc, but once or twice a year it's good.

Try it sometime.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 24, 2012 at 12:00pm

I have used brake cleaner tons, I used to be a truck and heavy equipment mechanic for years and I would never use that stuff on my bike. 

In fact I try to avoid using it as much ass possible in all other areas outside of brake work because it is so hard on materials and skin as well.

Kevin Kelly said:

I don't use it often, and I obviously don't force it into the bottom bracket, etc, but once or twice a year it's good.

Try it sometime.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin K on July 24, 2012 at 12:29pm

Ah, got it.  That is good to know.  I haven't had any problems with it on my bike, but I haven't used it all that many times.  

Check this out -- one time I bought some engine degreaser, and cleaned my drive chain with that.  I was like, "Damn, this stuff is AWESOME" so I used quite a bit.

The wind must have been blowing and I must have inhaled some (although I was outside), because the next day my throat was super raw and irritated, bordering on inflamed. I was hoarse for probably 3-4 days.  That stuff is nasty.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on July 24, 2012 at 12:36pm

Dug has a point. A chain is a more complicated machine than we think. If you use an industrial-strength degreaser you may wind up getting all those innards uber-degreased as well. Then it takes much longer to get more lube back into those teeny crevices were it belongs.

Kevin Kelly said:

Ah, got it.  That is good to know.  I haven't had any problems with it on my bike, but I haven't used it all that many times.  

Check this out -- one time I bought some engine degreaser, and cleaned my drive chain with that.  I was like, "Damn, this stuff is AWESOME" so I used quite a bit.

The wind must have been blowing and I must have inhaled some (although I was outside), because the next day my throat was super raw and irritated, bordering on inflamed. I was hoarse for probably 3-4 days.  That stuff is nasty.

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Permalink Reply by Gerry G on July 26, 2012 at 5:44pm

Park chain lube CL-1, cause I like the way it looks on my leg.  ; )

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