Chains are an essential part of your bike but also help keep it running smoothly. It is common for bike chains to become greased and dirty quickly, reducing their efficiency and performance. Specifically grease chains
- Wearing out chains at a faster rate.
- Chain links need more flexibility.
- A decrease in shifting performance.
Now I’ll explain Why Bike Chains Get So Greasy? Provide some tips on removing and preventing sticky bike chains. For more details, go through the article.
Read More: How To Replace A Bike Chain At Home Or On The Go? Easy Way.
Why Do Bike Chains Get So Greasy?
There are a few reasons why a bike chain might feel sticky. The reasons may vary depending on how old your chain is or how long it has been on your bike.
For New Chains
A new chain may feel sticky at first. During assembly, high-performance grease is typically applied to chains. According to KMC, their chains are ready for riding after installation (after adjustment).
If the chain feels too greasy, you can wipe off excess grease from the plates.
When wiping the rollers, remember to avoid the areas between the chain links where grease is most needed.
For Old Bike Chains
You shouldn’t feel sticky or excessively greasy when you are riding an old bike chain. It’s probably greasy because it has too much lube. Over-lubricated chains attract dirt and grime, causing friction in the drivetrain and resulting in wear and tear.
You’re dealing with a dirty chain if it feels sticky. Your chain’s lube will become clogged with dirt and grime over time. Your chain may feel sticky and need to be cleaned and lubricated.
What to Do About a Greasy Bike Chain?
To remove bike chain stickiness, you need to follow some thongs:
For New Chains
A sticky or greasy chain on a new bike does not need to be cleaned. The chain might have been lubricated at the factory when it was assembled.
Your bike won’t be affected by this. It will be ready to use as it is. You should always double-check your manufacturer’s instructions, but most of the time, like with a KMC chain, the factory-grade lubricant will work just fine and last you several hundred kilometers.
For Used Chains
When your chain feels sticky, it needs to be cleaned and relubricated. Generally, a dirty chain feels sticky. Keeping your drivetrain in good working order requires regular cleaning and lubrication.
So How To Clean Your Used Bike Chain?
A bike chain can be cleaned relatively quickly if you want to avoid cleaning it deeply. You can clean, lubricate, and degrease your bike’s chain by following the steps below.
What Should Need :
Cleaning your bicycle chain requires several things
- Degreaser for chain cleaning
- Machine for cleaning chains
- Soapy water
- Brush
- Microfiber cloths
- Chain lubricant
Using Cleaning Machines, Clean The Chain
Place the chain-cleaning device between the lower jockey wheel and chainrings and use the recommended amount of degreaser. You can run the chain through the device by rotating the cranks backward while holding it in place.
It should take about thirty to forty pedal revolutions to complete the cycle. Make sure the chain is in good condition. The chain may need more cleaning if it is grimy. Adding a fresh degreaser to the chain cleaner will help remove stubborn grime.
Make Sure Your Teeth And Jockey Wheels Are Clean
Clean the cassette sprockets, the rear mech, the jockey wheels, and chainring teeth with a degreaser and a stiff brush. Use a generic bike cleaner instead of a degreaser to clean your bike.
Chain degreasers remove oil from chains, but general bike cleaners also remove road grime and dirt. You can clean exterior parts with them as well.
Rinse Again
The area will appear to be a complete mess after everything has been scrubbed thoroughly. You don’t need to worry. Use a sponge and hot soapy water to disperse the grime.
Taking this step is extremely important.
Wash the chain and all other components thoroughly with hot soapy water. It is essential to keep the water pressure low at this point to avoid forcing water past the bearing seals. The hosepipe can be used, but it is not necessary.
The best way to end this process is to rinse with clean water after rinsing with a degreaser. Degreaser will react with any new chain lube left behind, resulting in a messy black go.
Apply Lubricant After Drying
To ensure the chain is completely dry, spin the cranks fast so the water can be flung from the links. It would help if you used a good microfiber cloth here. You can wear an old t-shirt, but the results will be better than a new one.
A warm, sunny day is also an excellent time to leave the bike in the sun to dry naturally. Apply new chain lube only after everything is clean and dry. A common mistake is over applying – applying little and often is better.
Chains kept clean and lubricated will likely last longer, saving you money. Simply cleaning your chain after several rides (and a wet/dirty ride) will require relatively little effort. Leaving it to build up grime and mess will make cleaning it much harder, and it may never be spotless.
Keep The Cables Lubricated
Cables are adversely affected by wet weather. Lubricate the chainrings and sprockets by placing the chain in the giant ring. While the chain is still in place, shift into the smallest gear without pedaling.
By doing this, you can create slack between the housing and inner cables, making it possible to squirt some oil on them.
Problems You May Face When Cleaning Chain
Linking Tightly
There is no longer a smooth bend in the links. You can spot them by pedaling your chain backward while watching your rear derailleur’s tight turns.
These problems are often caused by dirt or corrosion between link plates; lubricating, cleaning and flexing can fix these problems. The chain and links may also be damaged if the pin is not fully inserted into the links and rollers.
Using a chain tool, poorly installed link pins can sometimes be shifted back and forth within their chain plates. Completely replacing damaged chains is the best course of action.
Stretching Of Chains
Chains become longer with wear. It is called stretch because nothing stretches. As chains lengthen, link pins and rollers wear out. Slop or free play can cause gears to “skip.”. As a result, rear cog teeth and chainrings wear out more quickly.
These also lead to rapid wear on chainrings and rear cog teeth. Cog sets are much more expensive to replace than chains.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Chain?
When a chain needs cleaning and lubricating, the sliding surfaces become more frictional. In a drivetrain with a 53t front ring rotating at 95 rpm, 40,280 articulations occur as the chain bends into rings, cogs, or pulleys.
Should You Clean Your Chain After Every Ride?
After every ride, ensure your chain is lubricated and cleaned if it has been wet, snowy, salty, or dirty. Oil-based lube attracts dirt and sands more than dry or Teflon-based lubes in dusty, sandy conditions.
What chain lube should you use?
Most chain lubes are either dry or wet. Dry lubes stick better to chains because they attract less dirt and dust. Since wet lubes are designed to handle wet conditions, they can get grimy over time. At Bikes Palm Beach, we recommend a dry lube for mountain bikers whose trails contain dust, sand, and dirt. It is recommended to use wet lube for rainy and snowy weather.
Final Thoughts:
You can remove the grease from your bike chain using the proper cleaning and care. You can clean your bike chain by following the steps in this article.
It is essential to maintain your bike regularly if you want it to last a long time. Call a reliable pro to assist you whenever you notice any issues with yours or how dirty it gets throughout the year.
Another post that will interest you is about Why You Should Be Using Dry Bike Chain Lube? Ultimate Guide.
