Bike degreaser...

[Kell]

For many years I've been using Virasol as it does double duty as brake dust remover for the car and chain cleaner for bike.

However, it's really expensive to get it delivered now, which is taking the price up horrendously.

So, what do other people recommend?

[NorthDave]

I've just bought some Morgan Blue stuff from Wiggle and have been very impressed.

So much so I went back on to see what else they make - not much is the answer.

[evosticks]

Muc Off Bio Drive train cleaner - the stuff in the clear bottle that's fluorescent green is my cleaner of choice now. Smells lovely

[funkyrobot]

evosticks said:

Muc Off Bio Drive train cleaner - the stuff in the clear bottle that's fluorescent green is my cleaner of choice now. Smells lovely

Indeed.

I have recently begun attempting to learn bike fixing and repair etc. During this time I have degreased and cleaned up two older bikes that I abused (simply because I didn't learn how to look after them properly). They both had drivechains and surrounding areas caked in a horrible, oily paste.

I first used some Halfords brand degreaser. This seemed ok, but on application would bubble up and froth. It was ok, but not the best. This was the yellow stuff.

I then bought a chain cleaner and used the bottle of Halfords brand degreaser that came with that (orange colour). This worked better than the degreaser above, but I only had a small bottle of it.

I then invested in the Muc Off drivetrain cleaner. Great stuff. Cleaned up everything far quicker than the Halfords stuff. It also comes in a bottle with a spray or squirting nozzle. The latter is brilliant for applying it to a chain cleaning device.

I have heard good things about Morgan Blue and have noticed that some pro road teams use this on their equipment.

Just make sure that when you are using degreaser, it's a good idea to have gloves and protective goggles on. Some of it smells nice, but you wouldn't want to drink it.

Edited by funkyrobot on Monday 26th September 12:51

[daddy cool]

I like the Halfords degreaser - the orange citrus stuff.
But white spirit is also good to soak bits in. Every once in a while i'll take the chain off, pop it in a ziplock sandwich bag, and pour in some white spirit. Leave it to soak for a while, then give the bag a good shake, and you'll be surprised what it removes. Pour away, refill with white spirit, and again marvel at how dirty the liquid gets after a few shakes!

[funkyrobot]

daddy cool said:

I like the Halfords degreaser - the orange citrus stuff.
But white spirit is also good to soak bits in. Every once in a while i'll take the chain off, pop it in a ziplock sandwich bag, and pour in some white spirit. Leave it to soak for a while, then give the bag a good shake, and you'll be surprised what it removes. Pour away, refill with white spirit, and again marvel at how dirty the liquid gets after a few shakes!

I am no bike mechanic, but I think you need to be careful with strong solvents such as white spirit. It's better to use preventative maintenance and degreasers than strong solvents. White spirit does do a good job though.

I am currently referencing a book by a chap called Zinn whilst doing some work on my bikes. He recommends using a good lube on the chain. Wiping it down with a cloth after a ride. Re-lubing and then continuing this process after the next ride. Apparently, if you follow this process, you only have to clean the chain with something like a degreaser every so often.

[ukbabz]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-citrus-degreaser-...

Found this stuff to do the job nicely

[Kell]

So far, everything is looking a lot more expensive.

Virasol is £6.99 for 5 litres, it's just the postage at something like £16 that seems excessive.

Edited by Kell on Monday 26th September 13:33

[funkyrobot]

Kell said:

So far, everything is looking a lot more expensive.

Virasol is £6.99 for 5 litres, it's just the postage that seems excessive.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-heavy-duty-d...

Never used this myself. But seems cheap.

I guess the main thing to consider with any chemical is how it reacts to other parts of the bike. Taking the chain off and soaking in said chemical will work. However, if applying to the chain whilst it is on the bike, you don't want it ruining other parts (paint, tyres, plastics etc.).

Edited by funkyrobot on Monday 26th September 13:34

[Barchettaman]

Bilt Hamber Surfex is by *far* the best degreaser I've ever used. It's unbelievable stuff and not solvent based either, so safe.

[Kell]

Think someone else has recommended the Bilt Hamber stuff.

Cheers

[ALawson]

Make sure you remove the rear wheel and use one of those dummy wheels, makes the freewheel last much longer.

I use the MuckOff green stuff and rate it better than Blue Morgan.

[idiotgap]

funkyrobot said:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-heavy-duty-d...

Never used this myself. But seems cheap.

I guess the main thing to consider with any chemical is how it reacts to other parts of the bike. Taking the chain off and soaking in said chemical will work. However, if applying to the chain whilst it is on the bike, you don't want it ruining other parts (paint, tyres, plastics etc.).

I use the screwfix stuff, it's fine.

funkyrobot said:

I am currently referencing a book by a chap called Zinn whilst doing some work on my bikes. He recommends using a good lube on the chain. Wiping it down with a cloth after a ride. Re-lubing and then continuing this process after the next ride. Apparently, if you follow this process, you only have to clean the chain with something like a degreaser every so often.

I'm intrigued by this, sounds like a variant of the "Mickle method".

This thread could get all dogmatic on us if some fervent Micklers turn up.

[227bhp]

Any engine cleaner will do.

[daddy cool]

funkyrobot said:

I am no bike mechanic, but I think you need to be careful with strong solvents such as white spirit.

White spirit is fine with my paint brushes - i think my metal bike chains will be ok!

That said, this happened last week when i spilled a bit on the floor:

[WinstonWolf]

funkyrobot said:

evosticks said:

Muc Off Bio Drive train cleaner - the stuff in the clear bottle that's fluorescent green is my cleaner of choice now. Smells lovely

Indeed.

I have recently begun attempting to learn bike fixing and repair etc. During this time I have degreased and cleaned up two older bikes that I abused (simply because I didn't learn how to look after them properly). They both had drivechains and surrounding areas caked in a horrible, oily paste.

I first used some Halfords brand degreaser. This seemed ok, but on application would bubble up and froth. It was ok, but not the best. This was the yellow stuff.

I then bought a chain cleaner and used the bottle of Halfords brand degreaser that came with that (orange colour). This worked better than the degreaser above, but I only had a small bottle of it.

I then invested in the Muc Off drivetrain cleaner. Great stuff. Cleaned up everything far quicker than the Halfords stuff. It also comes in a bottle with a spray or squirting nozzle. The latter is brilliant for applying it to a chain cleaning device.

I have heard good things about Morgan Blue and have noticed that some pro road teams use this on their equipment.

Just make sure that when you are using degreaser, it's a good idea to have gloves and protective goggles on. Some of it smells nice, but you wouldn't want to drink it.

Edited by funkyrobot on Monday 26th September 12:51

Remove chain, throw in petrol bath (contaminated with diesel), use petrol soaked paint brush to clean sprockets and finish off with babywipes (Tesco economy ones, only 40p).

Brush nicely soaked chain down in the petrol bath, wipe with rag, lube and refit.

Job's a good un

[PH5121]

I ran out of bio degradable degreaser yesterday whilst cleaning my kids bikes so was going to use paraffin as I had a bottle of it kicking around in the garage.

The job got rained off as the heavens opened so I didn't actually get far with it. For degreasing car engines (minis with oil leaks as a lad) I always used Gunk, but I've not used it on a bike chain but imagine it would do the job ok.

[PorkRind]

Petrol's pretty good and quite a bit cheaper than Muc off..

[yellowjack]

I've jacked the degreasers in now.

Started using "Squirt" dry lube on my MTB chain after getting a sample of it free at Battle On The Beach this year. Thoroughly degrease the chain one last time, rinse and shake to get the bulk of the water out of it, then hit it with the "Squirt".

Once it's treated, the water in the product evaporates, leaving a wax coating on the rollers/pins. It's dry, so any excess just solidifies and drops off. It's pretty good at not attracting dirt and grit. One wet, muddy ride this week got it gritty though, so I blasted the chain with a hose pipe and an old toothbrush, and re-lubed it. Top up the lube before each ride (or preferably when you get home after riding), and give it an occasional wipe with a dry rag or brush. Seems to be working well for me up to now...

I'm still using a traditional wet lube on my road bike, though. Ironically, I've run out of degreaser, so I can't start using the "Squirt" on that bike just yet...

[47p2]

Sorry but I have to ask...


How does your bike get dirty enough to justify washing to with a degreaser?