Need some advice to keep drivetrain clean. Subject is a Fuji Jari 1.1 with GRX 810 2by setup. I ride in Transylvania a super dry paths with a LOT of dust. I could literally clean my chain after every ride it gets so dirty. The main problem is that after cleaning and lubing the chain small dust particles get stuck in the lube again and become sort of oily mud. Then the chain becomes noisy.
Tbh I use cheap teflon oil from Decathlon as lube, there might be a better solution Chainring and casette are literally black from all the oily dust like i sprayed used motor oil on it.
Any tips or tricks? Can the casette get a proper cleaning without being unmounted? I don't have the keys for such a job.
P.s. no photos on the drivetrain so here's a photo of the bike 🙂
by liqweeeed
20 Comments
Wax instead of lube & youre good to go.
Requires a little effort to begin with but it pays off later. No more grimey and dirty chains that stain everything.
Waxing is the way to go if you really want to take a step towards a cleaner drivetrain. It does take careful preparation, but once done, maintenance becomes way easier and cleaner. Lots of great guides exist online.
If you dont want to go there just yet, make sure to look for a dry lube (google for good recommendations), and make sure that after applying that you wipe excess lube off the chain with a dry cloth before riding 🙂
Only way to keep your drivetrain clean is to not ride
Oh man with dry climate wax is sooooo much better as you don’t have to worry about the rain. Check silca. They will get you covered (and your chain 😉 )
Wax your chain. You’ll thank yourself. And you can’t not clean your bike frequently and properly if you live in a dusty place. It’s just part of the deal.
Perhaps bit overkill, but having a spare chain cassette so you can swap them out and deepclean. I like doing it this way especially in winter
Clean it. Wipe down after ride and then major clean a few times a month(based on 100-200 miles per week). Commuting and training. Wax is great but never worked in the sloppy pnw rains.
It’s always going to be dirty.
Hmm. I usually don’t.
If you can get your hands on Rex Black Magik go for it. It is truly as amazing as they advertise: https://rex.fi/en/shop/bike/chain-waxes/drip-waxes/black-magik-drip-wax
Wax. I give the whole bike a quick rinse every now and then, no soap or scrubbing. Wipe down bike with surface cleaner once or twice a week. Full soapy bike bath every 15 rides or so. Never actually gets greasy and grimy. Just dirt, sweat and water bottle goo. Maybe once a year the cassette comes off and goes into the ultrasonic cleaner. Chains get run through the Ultrasonic Cleaner during the waxing. The only real grime on my bikes is brake dust around the disc brake calipers.
Old crock pot full of paraffin wax is easy to keep a couple chains waxed. Ultrasound jewelry cleaner ain’t nessasary but helpful in getting it clean for rewaxing.
Wax.
By not riding.
A good dry weather lube is key. If your libe males a black sticky paste with your local dust then change brands.
I usually hate muc-off but their dry lube isn’t all bad. Don’t touch their wet lube tho. It’s cancer.
Wax your chain, things getting dirty is normal, I make sure to just clean my chain after about 200 miles of riding and depends on how grimy it’s getting and I can hear it.
Wax
When my drivetrain gets dirty I just throw away the bike and buy a new one. Pretty simple.
Silca Drivetrain and Brake cleaner
Wax
There’s a creepy amount of old school smiley/winky faces in these replies