Spent a short while with a degreasing solution and brush trying to clean up my drive train on a mountain bike. It definitely helped, but there is residual dirt. Also the outer cogs just basically remained black… anything I can do better?
by fenemation
6 Comments
I used to clean my drivetrain with a brush and soapy water. If it was really dirty I pulled the cassette and cleaned it by hand with dish soap and old toothbrushes. I no longer do this since I switched to wax. I keep two chains and swap them out. I simply wipe the chain and cassette with a microfiber cloth in between rides. When I clean and lube my hubs I will deep clean the cassette. It does not really get that dirty anymore.
Tub ‘o Towels. You’re welcome.
Toothbrush and the smallest amount of paint thinner or some degreaser, brush the whole cassette and take a micro fiber cloth and put between each individual cassette and pull through which will rotate it while cleaning.
Take the wheel off and use less water with your Dawn or Simple Green. It helps a lot getting the chain out of the way and being able to angle the thing however your need it.
I have one of those purpose built gear brushes, maybe that would help.
Were the black cogs silver before you rode? I ask only because they really do look solid black.
thank you all
I just remove the drive train from the bike and drop the whole lot into my ultrasonic cleaner.,saves loads of time and no solvents required .