As the rain starts to fall again (for some of us it never stopped) our bikes will take a pounding. Lashing rain can take its toll on a bike, particularly the drivetrain, so it’s worth giving it some extra TLC this time of year. It’s best if you stay on top of it by cleaning your bike down after every ride, otherwise you’ll end up with a very grim and gritty chain. Here Chuck shows you how to get that bike chain looking good and running smoothly.
Time taken: 10 mins
Money saved:£20-£50 (cost of a new chain)
You will need: Rubber gloves (it can be messy), Bike Chain degreaser, chain cleaner machine, old rag or kitchen towel, chain lube.
Meet the expert
Chuck Buckley’s been a bike nut since he was a boy growing up in New Zealand. After moving to the UK he worked as a bike mechanic in London before joining Team Madison-Genesis over two years ago.
1. Get out the degreaser
After clamping your bike to a work stand, open your chain cleaner and fill it with chain degreaser. Look for the limit line so that you don’t overfill it. If your chain isn’t overly dirty, dilute the degreaser with water to make it last longer and save cash.
2. Start pedalling
Clip your device on to the lower section of the chain and turn your pedals backwards, so that the chain runs through the degreaser bath. Clipping it onto the underside of the chain gives you a lot more room and isn’t as fiddly, while back-pedalling allows the chain to run through the cleaner smoothly. Run the chain through the bath as many times as is necessary.
3. Give it a rub down
Using an old rag, or a piece of kitchen towel, wipe away any excess degreaser residue. The brushes in the chain cleaner will have eradicated the majority of the gunk but you’ll more than likely still find some superficial debris which a rag will wipe away with ease. Be careful not to get degreaser where you don’t want it – in your wheel hubs or bottom bracket.
4. Pour on the lube
Using a lubricant applicator you can apply the right amount without overdoing it. We used Finish Line’s No Drip applicator. This helps apply an even coat without – you’ve guessed it! –any drips. Slightly squeeze the applicator and, making direct contact with the chain, apply an even coat to both the inner side and outer side of the chain. If you don’t have an applicator, just apply lube to the inner side as this comes in contact with the cassette and chain rings.
5. Check your shifting
Finally, be sure to check that you have lubricated the chain appropriately by testing the gear shifting. If the gears don’t shift as smoothly as you’d like, go back to step 4 and apply a bit more until you get the desired shifting. Be careful not to apply too much though – excess lube will only attract dirt and require more frequent cleaning. After you’re happy that the chain is suitably lubed, wipe off any excess with your rag or kitchen towel.