I used an orange cleaner to clean up an old bike. It works well at dissolving grease. I used rags and a couple of tooth brushes. I used strips of old rags with cleaner on them to clean between the cogs on the freewheel. On old good quality chrome on my old Schwinn I used a brass brush and it worked fabulous.
I would take off and ditch the chain and at least invest in a new chain.
When I took my bike maintenance class they used a bit of soapy water (dawn dish washing detergent) to clean bikes, wiping down with a damp rag. They also liked Windex for the frame, wheels and tires. And alcohol to wipe components as they won't sit wet. If things were horribly gunky, like derailleurs, they would take it off and soak it in something tougher.
Park tool has this gear cleaning brush:
I used it and wore it out quickly. I am finding that rags do as good a job.
I also have Park Tool's chain cleaning thingie:
You put some orange cleaner in the contraption, put it over your chain, and rotate the pedals. Kind of messy but good if you have a filthy chain.
Last edited by goldfinch; 09-30-2012 at 03:04 PM.
Trek Madone 4.7 WSD
Cannondale Quick4
1969 Schwinn Collegiate, original owner
Terry Classic
Richard Feynman: “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.”