cfforum

So, I've had my new bike for almost 3 months and after our Truckee ride this weekend I noticed my chain was looking pretty black (no, not pretty as in beautiful , but pretty as in quite dirty). So, I turned the bike upside down (don't have a repair stand), squirted on the degreaser and used the little bristled brush that came with it to kind of work it into the chain and cassette. Then, I took a clean rag and backpedaled the chain through the rag. I "flossed" the cogs and front chainrings as well. The rear derrailleur area was especially gunky. Anyway, I pretty much dirtied up the whole rag and never got to the point where nothing was coming off anymore. Is this okay or do I need to use something else to clean the degreaser off before I lube?

Also, as far as lube goes, I have a dry teflon lube that I used on my old mountain bike. Is this good enough for the road bike, or do you suggest I try something else?

There has got to be a quicker way to get this stuff clean! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

BTW, my frame is carbon fiber and I leaned this weekend that Simple Green is a no-no for carbon fiber frames (thanks for that heads up, Jeremy and David P.)!

I use a degreaser with the brushes and a rag to clean my chain and then Pro Lube. And I clean my chain at least once a week. Only takes about five minutes. Sounds like you did everything right, just do it more often. And you will get lots of opinions on lubes. I use to use the ice wax variety, but hate the way it gunks up.

Okay. So, even though I'm still getting some back residue (much lighter than when I first started), is that clean enough? Do I need to clean the degreaser off with something else (maybe rubbing alcohol or something?) before applying the lube? Thanks for your response and your patience with my incessant newbie questioning!

Some sprays or cleaners can cause some things to work better and some make it worse. I believe a teflon spray is good for the gears and chain but stay away from the brake and gear cables. It can actually make then stick inside the plactic tubing. There are many cleaners out there. I use just your basic Costco degreeser, let it sit for 30 seconds and hose off and repeat. If you have an aluminum bike this stuff will fade your colors on your bike.
A non teflon cleaner lube is best for all around. If you are lucky you could win the chain cleaner in the raffel, that will help with the chain and your gearing.
Any body else....

Non-teflon cleaner lube . . . I'll have to look into that.

Looks like someone else won the raffle - oh, darn! J/k - Congrats Rich!

I have one of those chain cleaners and its simply amazing. it looks like a new chain afterword. For cleaning the cassette I just take my time ad remove it and clean the gears independently. Brakes I usually spray with a degreaser and rinse them with water and the brake dust washes right off. You guys say simple green ruins your paint? Because Ive been washing my bikes with simple green forever and they're not fading.

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"I use just your basic Costco degreeser, let it sit for 30 seconds and hose off and repeat""

I got some of this today at Costco...it is called "Oil Eater" Came with a 32oz bottle, and a 160oz refill bottle, for 9.99. It worked really well. Sprayed on, let sit, hose off. Clean as a whistle!!

Very good. I love that degresser stuff... It works good on carpet stains too...
but make sure your carpet is clean to begin with, you don't want to make a "clean spot"
Enjoy

As for lubes, every five years the trend changes...from wet to dry, and back to wet lube again. Currently, wet lube is back in style. In my opinion, dry lubes are cleaner, easier to maintain and keep clean. I haven't asked anyone about lubes in a while, but found out the new trend when I recently asked a bike shop what dry lube they recommend these days. The clerk almost started to laugh, and explained to me that dry lubes are out. But I know better then that...just like argyle...it will be back. For now, I'm using a wet lube...and curse it everytime I have to do something to the chain.

Anyone using a dry lube out there?

I remember reading once you can dip the chain into paraffin wax and then it gets a coating of wax which is dry and very lubricating. But idk, ive never tried it

I am using a dry teflon lube and so far so good. Keeps my chain nice and clean. I tend to clean up after every ride, but if I happen to wait a couple of rides before I do a deep cleaning, I find the chain not to be just caked on in dirt. So i will continue with the dry lube till the fall when i will probably switch to a wet lube for the damper conditions.

Clean carbon with rubbing alcohol. Not degreaser or citrus cleaner.

=- Hairy Curt