General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Wiping bike chain Rss Feed  
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2011-07-21 7:51 PM

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Regular
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Subject: Wiping bike chain
I'm fairly clueless when it comes to bike maintenance, and I didn't realize that I needed to wipe off the excess oil/grease on my chain.  When I took my bike in for something unrelated, the guy at the bike shop said I could use paper towels.  Are paper towels okay, or am I better off with some sort of towel or cloth?  


2011-07-21 7:53 PM
in reply to: #3609167

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Master
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San Antone, Texas
Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain
paper towels will shred and leave little bits of paper on your chain. no good. use a rag.
2011-07-21 7:54 PM
in reply to: #3609167

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Payson, AZ
Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain
I use shop towels.  They are like paper towels but thicker and tougher and stay together.  They are blue.  I bought a Costco size load of them and am set for a while.
2011-07-21 8:28 PM
in reply to: #3609167

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Veteran
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Taoyuan, Taiwan
Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain

I've been using old shirts or other rags.

 

On a related note... guy at my LBS sold me this chain spray and told me to spray / wipe the chain about once a month.  (I ride twice a week usually)  Does this sound about right?

2011-07-21 8:30 PM
in reply to: #3609172

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Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain

djastroman - 2011-07-21 7:53 PM paper towels will shred and leave little bits of paper on your chain. no good. use a rag.

That was what I was wondering about--it seemed like they might make things worse.

2011-07-21 9:09 PM
in reply to: #3609167

Master
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Northern IL
Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain
Some might work ok, but the rag is more safe for that reason.


2011-07-21 9:27 PM
in reply to: #3609167

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Pro
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Omaha, NE
Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain

I use old T-shirts and a de-greaser on mine once a month.  I forget what it's called, but it smells like citrus or goo gone.

Then I put fresh lubricant on and wipe the outside and bottom of the chain lightly after lubrication to keep the dirt from sticking as best I can.

2011-07-21 9:34 PM
in reply to: #3609208

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Master
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San Antone, Texas
Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain
DuncanQH - 2011-07-21 8:28 PM

I've been using old shirts or other rags.

 

On a related note... guy at my LBS sold me this chain spray and told me to spray / wipe the chain about once a month.  (I ride twice a week usually)  Does this sound about right?

I put lube on my chain and cassette every time i ride, right before i pump up the tires.  I should degrease more, but i probably do it every 2-3 weeks or so.

2011-07-22 2:38 AM
in reply to: #3609167

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Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain
Look at your chain after every ride. If there are those little gunk balls starting to grow on it, time to use the chain cleaner and relube. For me, that means about every other week.

Auto parts stores just about always have shop towels on sale. A box of 500 or 1000 is around $30 if you look for it. They last quite the while and don't shred.

2011-07-22 6:49 AM
in reply to: #3609167

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Veteran
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Columbus
Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain

I wipe my chain with paper towels before every ride.  I do not apply a lot of pressure, just getting the excess crap off.  I then relube about once a week and let it sit for about 5hrs before wiping the excess off.  This is usually post complete wash.  Every ride I usually wipe down with windex afterward.

I forget who mentioned it but whatever you wipe off isn't really vital to the chain as it is just hanging out on the outside of the links and whatnot.  Some may disagree and prove me wrong with science behind it but I am not going to worry when I replace my chain at regular intervals. . .

2011-07-22 7:54 AM
in reply to: #3609167

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Champion
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Eat Cheese or Die
Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain
While you can get away with a paper towel, a rag is going to be much better.


2011-07-22 8:12 AM
in reply to: #3609275

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Pro
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Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Wiping bike chain
djastroman - 2011-07-21 10:34 PM
DuncanQH - 2011-07-21 8:28 PM

I've been using old shirts or other rags.

 

On a related note... guy at my LBS sold me this chain spray and told me to spray / wipe the chain about once a month.  (I ride twice a week usually)  Does this sound about right?

I put lube on my chain and cassette every time i ride, right before i pump up the tires.  I should degrease more, but i probably do it every 2-3 weeks or so.

My LBS told me to be careful not to over-lube the chain, because dirt sticks to the excessive oil, which will cause more wear on the chain.

I use old t-shirts to wipe off the excess whenever I clean and lube.

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