CLEANING A BICYCLE CHAIN: HOW DO YOU DO IT?
A clean chain ensures a smoother ride, less wear, and better shifting performance. Sand, mud, and old lubricant can make your chain stiff or wear out faster. Regular cleaning and re-lubrication keeps your bike in top condition and extends the life of your components. This is especially beneficial if you ride a road bike or mountain bike. But how exactly do you do that? We'll explain it step by step.
This is what you need:
- Degreaser : This allows you to remove old lubricant and dirt.
Tip: ACID BIKE DRIVETRAIN CLEANER 300ML . - Cleaning brush : An old toothbrush will do, but the RFR Cog And Cleaning Brush Set will get you through every nook and cranny.
- Cleaning cloth : An old dishcloth, kitchen towel, or T-shirt will do.
- Chain oil : to keep the chain running smoothly after cleaning, for example ACID BIKE CHAIN OIL PRO 50ML .
- Latex gloves: these are optional, but useful for stubborn oil stains.
Bonus tip: With the Juice Lubes Scrub and Buff Pack, you'll have everything you need to clean your entire bike in one go. Convenient and affordable.
Cleaning your bicycle chain step by step
- Place your bike stably
This can be done upside down on the floor or in a mounting stand. - Apply the degreaser
Spray the degreaser onto the chain while slowly turning the pedal, ensuring every bit is included. - Brush off the dirt
Use your brush to get in between the links and loosen as much dirt as possible. - Clean your bicycle chain
Take your polishing cloth and find the starting link of your chain. This is your starting point. This way, you'll easily know when you've gone all the way around the chain. Hold the polishing cloth between your thumb and index finger and polish the dirt off the chain. Continue this until you reach your starting link again and the chain is visibly clean. - Re-lubricate the chain
Once the chain is dry and clean, apply a thin layer of chain oil. Drizzle it along the inside of the chain as you pedal, until you've completed the full rotation.
Your chain is now fresh, smooth, and ready for a new cycling adventure! Do this routine after every wet/muddy ride, and otherwise every 150-200 km you ride.
Now you know how to clean your bike chain yourself. That wasn't hard, was it? Properly maintaining your bike will extend its parts' lifespan and save you a lot of unnecessary maintenance and repair costs. Do you already know how to clean your bike ? And do you have the right cleaning products at home?