Argh- cleaning :-(

[scubadude]

My bike seems to be a grime magnet, partly not helped by being white but also the rural roads are strewn with debris and puddles... not complaining as such its what I have so...

Anyway, I know how to clean my bike properly, ie- take it apart and clean the pieces, reassemble and lube etc.
My problem, as such, is trying to maintain cleanliness between strip downs, the cassette, rear mech, front mech, chain ring and chain in particular. After a couple of weeks use they are coated in black grime and grit.

Anyone got a tried and proven method/chemicals etc for quick and successful cleaning of fully assembled drive trains?

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Fella in Evans Cycles was raving about this stuff, but not tried it personally...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/finish-line/sp...

[daddy cool]

This is quite nice:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Also, you have a chain-cleaner? Im currently using a Park Tool one. I previously used a Muc-off one which i'd actually say worked better, but within a few uses it started breaking. Either way, once youve used a chainer, you'd never go back - shiney chains, mmmm!

[bigdom]

scubadude said:

Anyone got a tried and proven method/chemicals etc for quick and successful cleaning of fully assembled drive trains?

Paraffin, used by most bicycle shops. Use it on all my two wheeled transport.

http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/garden-buildings/gre...

[Rouleur]

Sounds as though you're using too much lube. A light application of something like Finish Line Wet lube to the chain and a regular run through an old towel to remove the black crap should do the job.

[Matt_N]

Take the cassette and chain off, leave to soak for a few hours in a bag or tub of parafin and then scrub clean the next day.

Luckily I just pop to the LBS and use their parts washer every few weeks!