What is your cleaning regimen for your bike chain? I’m not super handy and hate having to even mess with the chain to take my bike off the wahoo kickr, so my bike basically lives on the trainer. Wondering what I can do to clean clean the chain without moving the bike off the trainer?
What do you use and how often do you do it?
Not exactly what you asked, but this is what I would do in your shoes…
I would get a Premier Optimized chain and a bottle of their wax chain lube.
The chain is super-clean to start with, so it is not messy at all.It really does not require cleaning, but if you do, you can just spray & wipe it down when you clean your bike.
If you ever do want to remove the chain to clean it, that is super-easy with their link.It is clean and easy to re-lube with Premier’s wax-based lube.It is a very fast chain that will improve your speed.
So, if you want to minimize the impact of chain grime and cleaning, and you are not handy, make the one-time investment in a great chain and leave your troubles behind.
Been thinking about the same thing. New Core with clean cassette, chain’s a tad dirty. I’ll likely wind up taking it off the trainer, put a wheel on, head outside and clean it. A lot of work but I really don’t want chain grease all over my house.
IMO - Your chain should have a master link. Every bicycle chain should have a master link. With the link and appropriate pliers you can easily remove and service your chain.
If it lives on your trainer, it is probably not dirty at all.
If you are a rock/roll user, just follow their directions. Don’t spin too fast and the excess won’t sling off.
I use squirt, so same thing: drip on each link, spin it around, let it sit for 5 minutes, wipe off as much as possible.
IMO - Your chain should have a master link. Every bicycle chain should have a master link. With the link and appropriate pliers you can easily remove and service your chain.
Shimano chains do not have a master link. SRAM has their Powerlock link, but it is intended to be single-use. Wipperman chains come with a reusable link. (Premier uses a Wipperman chain.) The Wipperman Connex link is sweet, but I am not sure you can easily find just an 11-speed link by itself.
If it lives on your trainer, it is probably not dirty at all.
If you are a rock/roll user, just follow their directions. Don’t spin too fast and the excess won’t sling off.
I use squirt, so same thing: drip on each link, spin it around, let it sit for 5 minutes, wipe off as much as possible.
It’s mostly just all my sweat. I’m a pretty heavy sweater, even with a fan on me. It seems the chain gets rusty from the sweat.
Most bike shops carry single quick links. First thing I’d always buy if i have a shimano chain, although shimano actually does use quick links now. Wipperman is the best, but kmc has a decent one as well and you can pretty much always find one of those two
Best way that works for me (I’m using KMC chains exclusively with master link)
In result, its clean (not 100% of course), but result works for me, especially if i need to clean more than one and fast
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It’s mostly just all my sweat. I’m a pretty heavy sweater, even with a fan on me. It seems the chain gets rusty from the sweat.
If you have sweat on your chain causing problems, you probably have lots of sweat in other places doing more damage. Do you have a bike thong and towel along the top tube? I have double-protection, because I do not want sweat dripping and settling anywhere on my bike. Before I realized what was going on, I totally corroded all the bolts on my cockpit and corroded my headset to the frame. And, I was getting rust on some of my spokes.
I would do the chain care stuff recommended here. But I would also look at ways to minimize the sweat that can get to your bike.
For a quick and easy clean I have been using Clorex Disinfecting wipes that come in a big tub - not a deep clean but amazing how much crud comes off - this is my weekly quick clean. Hope this helps
It’s mostly just all my sweat. I’m a pretty heavy sweater, even with a fan on me. It seems the chain gets rusty from the sweat.
If you have sweat on your chain causing problems, you probably have lots of sweat in other places doing more damage. Do you have a bike thong and towel along the top tube? I have double-protection, because I do not want sweat dripping and settling anywhere on my bike. Before I realized what was going on, I totally corroded all the bolts on my cockpit and corroded my headset to the frame. And, I was getting rust on some of my spokes.
I would do the chain care stuff recommended here. But I would also look at ways to minimize the sweat that can get to your bike.
Never heard of a bike thong. Looks like it could be nice. I put a towl across my aero bars, don’t usually put one across the top tube, but you are right, the cockpit got very rusty and corroded. I’ve got a new bike that I haven’t taken to the fitter yet, so I haven’t started using it yet, want to figure out a good way to keep the new one from getting corroded.
Thanks everyone for the replies.
Shimano chains do not have a master link.
My Shimano HG701 Ultegra/XT I use for indoor training came with a master link.
IMO - Your chain should have a master link. Every bicycle chain should have a master link. With the link and appropriate pliers you can easily remove and service your chain.
Shimano chains do not have a master link. SRAM has their Powerlock link, but it is intended to be single-use. Wipperman chains come with a reusable link. (Premier uses a Wipperman chain.) The Wipperman Connex link is sweet, but I am not sure you can easily find just an 11-speed link by itself.
The 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace 11 speed chains come with a master link
It’s a great chain - no doubt. Wax is sooo much cleaner than oil lubes. But remember to clean your cassette, pulleys and front chain rings - otherwise your chain is a mess once you put it back on your bike.
Like it or not, having a clean gruppo is some work.
My Shimano HG701 Ultegra/XT I use for indoor training came with a master link.******
The 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace 11 speed chains come with a master link
That is good news, and new to me. Are those the latest R8000 and 9100 chains? I bought three Dura Ace chains in 2016 and 2017, and those did not have master links-- they came with the pins. (It is kind of moot to me now, because I have fully switched over to the Premier/Wipperman chains that come with their slick Connex link.)
Yes, the latest chain’s.
What is the good connex 11 speed chain to get?
IMO - Your chain should have a master link. Every bicycle chain should have a master link. With the link and appropriate pliers you can easily remove and service your chain.
Shimano chains do not have a master link. SRAM has their Powerlock link, but it is intended to be single-use. Wipperman chains come with a reusable link. (Premier uses a Wipperman chain.) The Wipperman Connex link is sweet, but I am not sure you can easily find just an 11-speed link by itself.
Reading this thread as I’m trying to find out how to remove and service my Sram AXS chain. How should I deal with the single-use Powerlock link? Thanks
Just order a pack of something like this.
Re-use the link unless it’s damaged.
I’ve been taking removable links apart a handful of times for 10+ years