Am I being overzealous?

[Kalidurga]

I'll reiterate what Indysteel said: "As to whether it's time to clean your chain, that's hard to say" and I'll add that it's also hard to say how you need to clean your chain. I'd guess, though, that unless you're riding thousands of miles and/or through mud or dust, you probably don't need to go to the trouble of removing your chain.

The spray/scrub method or an attachable chain cleaner are probably the most you would need. As I've recently learned, you do need to be sure that you remove all degreaser from the chain, if you use one to clean it, otherwise your lube won't adhere properly.

I use Rock-n-Roll Gold lube, which is one of the self-cleaning synthetic lubes on the market. So far this summer, there've only been a couple of times I've felt the chain was dirty enough to hook up the chain cleaner and scrub it. Most times, a good wipe down has been enough. When it begins to look dry or squeak, then I freewheel it while spraying it with a good stream of Rock-n-Roll, then wipe it until there's barely anything left to rub off. Then I pull the back wheel off and clean the rear cogs thoroughly, and check the derailleurs. It's possible that that's all you need, too, but it all depends on how much riding you do and under what conditions.

[Grog]

I usually clean my bike every 500 km, more often in the winter, less in the summer. (It has been a while...) I've never taken the chain off and don't intend to until I have to replace it (scheduled for the spring of 2007). I just clean it with degreaser, a chain-cleaning thingie (the Park Tool version, works better than cheaper ones) and A LOT of water to rinse, then re-lube...

I don't think it's necessary to take off the chain unless the bike is REALLY EXTREMELY dirty....

[cherinyc]

well, it seems to me that the method suggested by the TE article would be pretty easy. Remove chain...drop in bucket of hot, soapy water....let sit....scrub a bit....rinse and dry.
I guess I am wondering, is it bad to remove the chain?

[Blueberry]

I guess I am wondering, is it bad to remove the chain?

With a power link - no. With normal pins - yes, unless you are very careful in replacing them with new ones. Apparently new (thin to accomodate more "speeds") are not as robust when it comes to being broken and put back together.

I always ask the bike shop for a power link, and that solves the problem! I feel much better being able to put in a bottle of degreaser (diluted simple green) and shake Seems to get the crud out a little better.

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

As far as whether it's time....it really depends (as others have said) on mileage and road conditions. I used to live in a coastal area and was constantly de-sanding, de-gritting and re-lubing to prevent wear and tear and rust. Now, it's not too bad. I do clean (at least wipe) and re-lube after rain. But, obviously, someone who rides 100 miles a month won't be on the same maintenance schedule as someone who rides 500 miles a month!

Good for you for learning to clean/take apart. I'm still learning in a big way, but it's fun, and it's empowering

Carrie Anne

[han-grrl]

First of all, i think its great that you are getting familiar with your bike (more on that in a minute)

As for taking off the chain, every time you "break" the chain, that is a new weak point in it. the link doesn't move as well as before, and can cause problems over time with shifting. I ride a mountain bike, and i clean my chain pretty much every ride. road biking - as someone said, depends on how often you bike, and on what types of road. it doesn't hurt the bike to clean the chain using a chain cleaner tool. but breaking it every time isn't a great idea.

now for the bike mechanics stuff...all too often i see women too afraid to touch their bikes. i flatted on a ride, and the women i was riding with were amazed to see me flip my bike over and start working on it. i think women take on the "damsel in distress" thing too much when it comes to their bikes (sorry! i'm not trying to offend anyone!) so i think its really great when i read the posts about you ladies getting your hands dirty! Way to go!

[cherinyc]

As for taking off the chain, every time you "break" the chain, that is a new weak point in it. the link doesn't move as well as before, and can cause problems over time with shifting.

But does it still weaken the chain if I add the power link, and break the chain that way every time?

i think women take on the "damsel in distress" thing too much when it comes to their bikes (sorry! i'm not trying to offend anyone!) so i think its really great when i read the posts about you ladies getting your hands dirty! Way to go!

Grrrrrrr.....hate the "damsel in distress" approach. I think it bothers my BF a bit sometimes (not always) that I try to do everything myself though. I admit when I can't reach, lift something...but if I admit that, it's b/c I probably already tried first. I will usually either go get a ladder/step stool or try to lever something up though, if no one is around. I call it self-sufficient, BF calls it stubborn. Tom-ay-toe....Tom-ah-toe...

[Blueberry]

But does it still weaken the chain if I add the power link, and break the chain that way every time?

I don't believe so, as the power link is designed to be where you break the chain, and you aren't actually pulling out pins (the big problem) to remove the chain. I haven't used them long enough to tell, so ymmv. I'll report as I get more miles. Also, take a look at http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html (which, in a nutshell says you can clean on the bike or off, but that if you clean off, you should get a powerlink).

Good luck!

Carrie Anne

[lph]

Grrrrrrr.....hate the "damsel in distress" approach. I think it bothers my BF a bit sometimes (not always) that I try to do everything myself though. I admit when I can't reach, lift something...but if I admit that, it's b/c I probably already tried first. I will usually either go get a ladder/step stool or try to lever something up though, if no one is around. I call it self-sufficient, BF calls it stubborn. Tom-ay-toe....Tom-ah-toe...

Heh - I always try to do everything myself first too, but I was kind of pissed off the time I actually was a damsel in distress -
I had gotten one of my elastic baggage strap thingies royally stuck around a wheel hub and I was on the side of the road with my bike upside down and the wheel off trying to peel it out -
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.

[cherinyc]

Good for you for learning to clean/take apart. I'm still learning in a big way, but it's fun, and it's empowering

Carrie Anne

yes, it is empowering, and helps me feel less afraid of breaking something on my (relatively speaking) expensive investment.
I realized a few days ago, after bringing in my car for a scheduled "tune up" and getting a phone call from the dealership saying I needed over $1400 worth of work to my 3 year old car that I am pretty close to knowing more about my 3 month old bike. For the cost of the up keep, I could buy another bike.