Am I being overzealous?

[DebW]

I've been breaking chains for 30 years with no ill effects, but these have been 5-speed to 8-speed chains. Currently use SRAM 8-speeds chains, but have never used the narrower 9 or 10-speed chains or the ones that require replacement pins when broken. The PowerLinks are certainly more convenient for general cleaning purposes, though, and I'd recommend them. You will need a chaintool for replacing a chain, though, as they have to be cut to length. I wrote a very detailed description of how to break and install a chain with a chaintool in this thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=9930 assuming the chain has reusable pins (not the kind requiring replacement). You do need to know how to remove a stiff link after re-installing the pin, but drilling a pin in and out shouldn't compromise the chain flexibility or chain life in my experience. Though the ultra-narrow 10-speed chains may be a somewhat different beast.

[Kalidurga]

Deb's response makes a good point that applies to almost any sort of maintenance on a bike these days: You should know what you're working with. I don't know much about bike maintenance, but I can say that I've learned there's a lot more to know than I thought there was.

It's great to not be afraid to take stuff apart and put it back together, but you should probably take the time to learn the specifics of the components you're dealing with first. What goes for a hybrid or an mtb might not be applicable for the comparable component on a road bike, and vice versa, or even from one road bike to another. And, what's necessary for certain types of riding may not be for other types of riding. Between this forum and Google, getting the necessary information for your specific components and the sort of riding you do should be fairly easy. (And which, of course, you're doing by starting this thread.)

Now if I could just get the blasted crud from between the cogs - need a new brush!

I use the edge of an old rag between each row of cogs, pulled back and forth "shoe-shine" method. Then I go back and wipe off the edges of the teeth as necessary. My cogs are probably cleaner than my chain.

And, I think Spokewench wins the prize for loving her bike a bit more obsessively than the rest of us (Though I may have to give the Q-tips a try next time I feel my pony needs a thorough cleaning...)

[Dogmama]

I use one of those chain cleaners. THEN - here's a nifty trick:

I take canned air & spray between the links (keep a rag on the other side to catch the chain gunk.) Voila! A clean and dry chain, ready for lube & ride!

[cherinyc]

and not a single one of the commuters passing me, all guys, stopped to ask if I needed help.

Maybe I should have unzipped my top a bit more.

hee hee....ok - maybe damsel in distress is befitting to CERTAIN situations

I find it funny that men will be "selectively" helpful. Living at the beach in Florida, I fished off the surf a lot. The men were always quick to come over, give advice, ask if I needed anything, etc....UNTIL, the one day I caught a hammerhead shark and couldn't get the darned thing off the hook w/o fear of losing a couple fingers. Not a soul came by to help me. I would look over at various people and they would look away.