Gearbikesreview is audience-supported. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission that we use for site maintenance. Learn more
The history of who invented the bicycle is steeped in controversy. In 1482, Giovanni Fontana created a four-wheeled contraption that was human-powered using ropes looped around gears. In 1813 Karl Von Drais, a German inventor came up with his version of a 4-wheeled ‘Laufmaschine’ or ‘running machine’, but he refined his invention and came up with a two-wheeled version called by various names; Draisiene, hobby horse, dandy horse, etc. But interestingly what spurred his invention was a natural calamity in faraway Indonesia, where Mount Tambora, erupted in 1815 sending up a cloud of ash worldwide.
This led to a lowering of temperatures globally, crop failures and starvation deaths of horses. With this decimation of horses, a serious consequence became the dearth of transport. Hence the urgency. Of course, the hobby horse didn’t have a chain, a person used his feet on the ground for propulsion. Bicycles made a comeback in the 1860s, this time with pedals, steel wheels and a gear system called the velocipede or “boneshaker’. It sure must have been like bronco riding. Then came along the Penny-Farthing and the bicycle evolved swiftly. Things have come a long way from the dandy horse days, and now that we have chains driving a sprocket, the efficiency of your bicycle is directly related to how clean and lubed is the chain. We aim to impart some knowhow on how to clean a bike chain without removing it.
A Hobby Horse
The chain of your bike is the single most important component of the whole ensemble. It is the drivetrain, the transmission system of a bike. How often it should be subject to cleaning is just a matter of close inspection. It would depend on the terrain you’ve been frequenting, natural road grit, slush, bike chain rust, etc. Telltale signs are a pasty residue on the chain, backsplash on your trousers or calves, increased resistance to pedaling, poor gear shift and consequently decreased efficiency. A clean, well-lubed chain means a fast bike. Cleaning a mountain bike is no different; just a whole lot messier. Of course, one more ride and it will revert to its state which is inevitable. Which is all the reason for cleaning it regularly?
A bicycle chain is made of carbon or alloy steel. Some, for aesthetic purposes and to stave off rusting, are nickel coated. There are 8 pieces to an individual link.
Each time you mount your bicycle and take off with the wind in your hair, the humble chain is subjected to enormous grind. Pictured above are the moving parts and if a thing moves in contact, friction results and wear occurs. Debris and dirt compound friction and rapidly increase wear down. The links are subject to expansion due to the heat of friction when in motion, and contraction due to cold weather conditions.
You will need to degrease the cycle chain completely to have a good close look, take appropriate measurements if need be. A cursory look will reveal nothing. Since this is going to be a DIY exercise, we will keep out bike tools, measuring tolerances, etc. and focus on simple common sense remedial actions. A chain that needs to be cleaned will obviously signal to a keen eye. A couple of things you can check though that will give you a health check.
An easy way to tell if the chain stretch is excessive is simply to see if it lifts easily off the teeth. If it’s something like what is shown below, your chain is probably on its way to getting crooked.
This is how a new chain fits.
We are ready to go about getting your bike fighting fit, starting with the drivetrain.
It’s securely propped up, newspapers spread under so, so let’s do it.
Clean and use the toothbrush when encountering stubborn grit. Spray the toothbrush with solvent. There is only so much that a rag can penetrate. Mostly, you’ll be able to get the superficial dirt off only. Our aim is to penetrate as much as possible with the chain in place. There are many hard to reach spots in the chain. Take your time. A rush job invalids the trouble you are taking.
Once you are done with the chain, devote some time to clean the other parts of the drivetrain. In the front, you have the chainrings and at the back, the sprockets. Another dirt-trap are the pulleys of the rear derailleur, go at it. Soak a rag in the solvent and banish the accumulated crud.
Finally, give the chain, the parts, the frame, etc. with a rag soaked in WD-40. Stand by and cheer your handiwork; a shiny clean chain.
This step is to protect the chain from rusting. It will ensure a smooth, swift ride. A rag is the best way to do it. Apply and allow the bike to stand for 2 hours to full penetration of the lubricant.
This is dismantling the entire drivetrain, which means the bike chain and gears, and then cleaning. Obviously, this is a periodic thorough maintenance exercise and a great chance to get to know the innards of your bike.
If you are a regular cyclist, it’s well worth the price to invest in a chain tool. Okay, we have now found that the chain is not knackered and does not need a full replacement. Connect up the rear wheel and the pedal. We are now good to go. But this is not the case every time, sometimes you may have to replace your bike chain. Here’s how to thread back the chain:
We start by putting the chain back on the smallest sprocket of the rear axle. Next, place a part of the chain around the big gear adjacent to the pedals. It is the side facing down as your bike is inverted. Keeping one hand on the chain (use gloves, just don’t get your fingers mashed), gently pedal till the chain is back on both gears.
Almost all of the supplies mentioned above are household products. The motto of a DIY exercise is economy and goes without saying, gaining know-how. WD-40 one might argue is not a common household item. It doesn’t hold water. WD-40, 3-1 machine oil, grease, etc. are part of household items for clearing that frozen flap of the mailbox, to fix that irksome squeak of the front door hinge and for multifarious sundry maintenance jobs. Desist from using kerosene or petroleum byproducts as bike chain cleaners. They leave a residue that is a deterrent to effective lubrication. Please use an isopropyl alcohol-based cleaner fluid.
As opposed to preventive maintenance, you have breakdown maintenance. Breakdown maintenance can be expensive, can endanger your safety and the only have you going, “If only I had bothered to check.” It is commonplace to see people ignore the basic care tips of their bikes out of ignorance or being scared. “Why fix it if it isn’t broken.” Here are 5 golden tips for bike preventive maintenance.
After taking all the precautions, still, your bike chain may break for many reasons. No worries! You can easily fix a bicycle chain.
Now that the job is done, you’ve had that coffee you needed, as a reward, a doughnut too maybe. But before you scramble to sign up for the Tour De France, your bike is an extension of you. It projects your eco-friendly attitude, is a great means of transport, keeps you fit and is a great destresser. All good things deserve good. Treat it nicely, always. I hope this little guide has shown you that it’s not only about how to clean a bike change without removing it but as a pointer to a healthier lifestyle.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay update!