Whether bicycle handlebar or bicycle tire – many spontaneous damage to the bike can be fixed with a few tricks makeshift so that the ride can continue. But damage to the bicycle chain condemns all rotating parts to a standstill. It is therefore important to pay attention to a well-maintained and functional condition of the bicycle chain to be able to complain about any transport damage or other defects! Our guide explains how to clean a bicycle chain properly.
In general, the chain is covered with a new purchase with a thin film of grease. Even after maintenance in the bicycle workshop, the chain should be covered with such a light oil film. Under no circumstances should the grease swell, or oil dripped from the chain. Because then there is the danger that surplus oil or grease drips onto the rim of the rear wheel and between the rim and brake pads and reduces the braking power to a minimum, which can have dangerous consequences.
How to clean a bicycle chain properly
One of the most important rules in the care of bicycle chains is to wipe off excess oil or grease after each oiling or greasing the chain, it only attracts dirt. Fats and oils, including synthetic oils and emulsions, dry lubricants such as graphite and other chain lubricants such as chain spray should be used sparingly and the excess always wiped off to avoid collecting muck.
At least once a year, a chain should also be cleaned. To clean the chains, a chain cleaner or degreaser is sufficient, a rag and a little water. Apply some rinsing agent to the damp cloth and carefully wipe off the chain or hold the chain loosely and guide the chain through the cloth by cranking it backwards – in derailleur gears. If you are already cleaning your chain anyway, you can also rid the sprocket of dirt and impurities.
There are also chain cleaning kits where the chain passes through a system of rotating brushes and a special chain cleaner. Experienced bikers, especially cyclists advise against this method, however, because it also flushes “healthy” fat and oil from the joints.
In addition, chemical additives and acids can erode the surfaces of technically demanding switching chains and ruin the chains within a very short time. If a chain tears, the workshop helps, but with a chain driver, the layman can repair a broken chain or assemble a new one. Although it requires a bit of skill, but a layman should not be put off. Because the chain tool of the popular tool companies have easy-to-understand instructions for use.
During the process itself, a rivet pin is pulled out of a chain link and pressed in during assembly. Gradually this somewhat awkward form of assembly dies out. Easier are chain locks , with which chains without bicycle tools can be joined together. However, in practice such chain locks prove to be the weakest link in the chain. And so it happens from time to time before the bike chains, especially at this point, break. As so often in life – where there is light is also shadow. The simplified assembly with the help of chain locks, has less durability.
Note: For the new Campagnolo 11-speed chains, a special chain tool must be used. Normal 10-speed chain drivers do not close this Campagnolo bicycle chain properly.
