Hello, Tony. I've watched many other videos on cleaning Bicycle Chains, but none have been as relatable as yours. I've just watched 3 of your vids and your methods are way more understandable than other methods. I appreciate your hard work and insight. I also love your tools that you've made by hand to help assist with your Chain Cleaning.
That was good advice Tony. Simple Green is most cost effective when purchased by the gallon. I start with mineral spirits and a mason jar, I let that soak over night and give it a shake here and there. The next day I remove the mineral spirits from the jar and I boil some water and mix Simple Green in a 50/50 ratio with the water and shake that up for a bit then rinse with warm water, I'll dry the chain off with a towel or paper towels and give it some time to dry further by being left in the sun. Then I put the chain on the bike and oil it up with my home made secret sauce.
@@tony10speed Mineral spirits, pneumatic tool oil, B'Laster dry lube, and some Rislone 4405 Engine Oil Supplement Concentrate. I use the B'Laster for the PTFE that's in it. Then I top it off with a few drops of Triflow. I put all of this in a 4 oz. bottle. I fill the bottle up to about 80% with the mineral spirits and tool oil I use a ratio of 60/40 or even 50/50 pneumatic tool oil to mineral spirits. Then with the volume left in the bottle, I mix a 50/50 ratio of B'Laster and Rislone. I like to use the brand Marvel Mystery for my pneumatic tool oil or Bostitch.
@@Samsonmetaphysical Quite a concoction. It doesn't leave any sticky residue after lubrication? How often do you need to re-apply lubricant and what do you have to do to the chain before re-application? Thanks in advance for your feedback. Tony
@@tony10speed There is a slight oily residue. I re-apply the lubricant about every 150 miles so that is every week, I use the Park Tools chain scrubber tool with Simple Green and water after that I'll spray the chain down with the garden hose and dry the chain off then lube it up and wait about 20 to 30 minutes then wipe the chain down with a paper towel. I get about 3200 to 3300 miles out of a chain which is quite good considering I always ride with a 42lbs. load on my back wheel, It comes from a rack custom made basket and my two dogs, good day Tony you are welcome
Thanks for the clear, well shot video. I appreciate your attention in using a safe, environmentally sustainable cleaner. Many bike videos fail to consider that.
Thanks for yet again a great video showing us how to do stuff the right way with simple “ingredients”… I like the way you always demonstrate you don’t need marketed and expensive gadgets and products to do proper bike maintenance. Keep up the great content! 👍
Why not use a Park chain cleaner with the Simple Green? While it seems to make sense, what does the Dawn dishwashing soap add to the cleaning? Great video! The only one I found that directly addresses my questions.
Thanks. One could use the Park Tool CG-2.4 but it's a bit awkward to use unless you first install the chain on the bike, which is a possibility. One should use soap and water after any degreaser to remove any residual that would interfere with subsequent lubricant - thus the use of the Dawn. Degreaser contains petroleum products that may not evaporate. Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Thanks Tony... I used SG to de-grease an old chain prior to parafin hot waxing it. SG worked great. I am going to give it a try on a brand new sram chain, before hot waxing. I wonder if adding goo gone (Orange oil solvent) to the SG would improve its efficacy?
Be careful with using many solvents. Goo Gone is really just acetone and would be a health risk, although some so suggest using it prior to waxing. See: www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-acetone Also, do not soak more then 5-10 min. See: ua-cam.com/video/sh9FLSlGB8Y/v-deo.html
You can use Simple Green directly on the chain while on the bike and then use a brush to work it in. Or if you can use it in a specific chain cleaning devise that snaps onto the bicycle chain. Don't forget to use some soap and water to wash the chain to remove any residual cleaner.
Simple Green is environmentally friendly, more so then most other degreasers including those made specifically for bicycles which contain some hydrogenated petroleum products. Also, I no longer allow the chain to soak overnight in Simple Green, mineral spirits or bicycle degreasers. With some chains, such as new Shimano bicycle chain, the chain surface will turn black after overnight soaking. This may be due to the fact that such chains are coated with SIL-TEC in the plating process that supposedly improves system performance through the use of embedded fluorine particles. Overnight soaking may be removing or oxidizing this surface coating, although this is a guess on my part.
Good question and I can only guess. Maybe they feel if you had to clean off the packing grease before use, you may not want to buy they're product. The manufacturers tell us that any lubricant we use will not penetrate into the bushings and pins as well as the sticky wax coating. This we have disproved in our prior video: ua-cam.com/video/2mUMeijywUg/v-deo.html They also do not address the issue concerning the fact that the packing grease is very sticky and will pick up road grime and dirt. So it's anybody's guess.
FYI - Simple green is corrosive to aluminum. Do not use simple green to clean the chain while it's on the bike. Even if you have a steel or carbon bike, your bike is likely full of expensive aluminum derailleur, sprocket, hub components.
Your statement is a little out of context. Here the full statement from the manufacturers of Simple Green: • When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser, and Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. • Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation. The above also holds true for most bicycle specific degreasers. See our video: ua-cam.com/video/sh9FLSlGB8Y/v-deo.html Luckily, the chains we use are not made of aluminum but you are correct that, depending on your bike, other components may be aluminum. When using any type of degreaser including Simple Green, we suggest subsequent washing with soap and water and rinsing. We also suggest using caution if using degreaser while the chain is on the bike since degreaser can contaminate disc rotors, disc brake pads and other components.
If you have the time and enough Simple Green, soaking the chain for a few hours would be ideal. I've also used the Foaming Simple Green with good results. Thanks for the question, Tony
Don't forget to lubricate the chain after installation. See: ua-cam.com/video/ubKCHtZ20-0/v-deo.html For both environmental and health reasons, I discourage use of such volatile petroleum products as Kerosine and Gasoline which are also flammable. The method described can also be used on a very grimy or dirty chain when you have a re-useable master link (such as those by KMC).
The weak spot of this method is that you still pour the solute mineral oil/grease into the sink. Thats why for the first cleaning I take mineral turpentine. You can reuse it many times and if it gets to dirty you can put it outside and let it evaporate. Do you use biodegradable chain lube based on plant oil?
I use Simple Green which is biodegradable and, according to the EPA, can be safely disposed of down the drain (also has no toxic fumes). You can recycle the Simple Green and let the gunk settle out, but I use such a small amount to clean the chain that it's not worth the effort. I have used Pure Gum Turpentine for various projects and do recycle it as you mention. Mineral Spirits is a little different in that it also contains a small amount of petroleum products that may interfere with the lubricant you use. As to letting turpentine evaporate, this is fine for minute amounts in a well ventilated area or outside, but remember that fumes from any petroleum product should be kept to a minimum since the fumes do alter the environment and climate. As to chain lube, there are many products available and each has there own die-hard following. Thanks for your comments and keep cycling, Tony
@@tony10speed I know that SG is biodegradable but if the chain oil isnt and its petrol based its not such a environmental friendly way to clean the chain. Thats why I only use plant based chain lubes.
Hey Tony, thanks for putting this out there. Once you have removed the packing grease do you add chain lube to the new chain before riding?
Yes. See:
ua-cam.com/video/ubKCHtZ20-0/v-deo.html
Thanks for asking. Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Hello, Tony. I've watched many other videos on cleaning Bicycle Chains, but none have been as relatable as yours. I've just watched 3 of your vids and your methods are way more understandable than other methods. I appreciate your hard work and insight. I also love your tools that you've made by hand to help assist with your Chain Cleaning.
Thank you. Also visit our UA-cam home site at:
ua-cam.com/users/MrTony10speed
Regards and safe cycling, Tony
That was good advice Tony. Simple Green is most cost effective when purchased by the gallon. I start with mineral spirits and a mason jar, I let that soak over night and give it a shake here and there. The next day I remove the mineral spirits from the jar and I boil some water and mix Simple Green in a 50/50 ratio with the water and shake that up for a bit then rinse with warm water, I'll dry the chain off with a towel or paper towels and give it some time to dry further by being left in the sun. Then I put the chain on the bike and oil it up with my home made secret sauce.
Sounds like a good method. Care to share your "home made secret sauce" for your chain? Regards and safe cycling, Tony
@@tony10speed Mineral spirits, pneumatic tool oil, B'Laster dry lube, and some Rislone 4405 Engine Oil Supplement Concentrate. I use the B'Laster for the PTFE that's in it. Then I top it off with a few drops of Triflow. I put all of this in a 4 oz. bottle. I fill the bottle up to about 80% with the mineral spirits and tool oil I use a ratio of 60/40 or even 50/50 pneumatic tool oil to mineral spirits. Then with the volume left in the bottle, I mix a 50/50 ratio of B'Laster and Rislone. I like to use the brand Marvel Mystery for my pneumatic tool oil or Bostitch.
@@Samsonmetaphysical Quite a concoction. It doesn't leave any sticky residue after lubrication? How often do you need to re-apply lubricant and what do you have to do to the chain before re-application? Thanks in advance for your feedback. Tony
@@tony10speed There is a slight oily residue. I re-apply the lubricant about every 150 miles so that is every week, I use the Park Tools chain scrubber tool with Simple Green and water after that I'll spray the chain down with the garden hose and dry the chain off then lube it up and wait about 20 to 30 minutes then wipe the chain down with a paper towel. I get about 3200 to 3300 miles out of a chain which is quite good considering I always ride with a 42lbs. load on my back wheel, It comes from a rack custom made basket and my two dogs, good day Tony you are welcome
@@Samsonmetaphysical Thanks for your reply and safe cycling to both you and your two doggies.
Thanks for the clear, well shot video. I appreciate your attention in using a safe, environmentally sustainable cleaner. Many bike videos fail to consider that.
You're Welcome. Also visit our UA-cam home site at:
ua-cam.com/users/MrTony10speed
Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Thanks for yet again a great video showing us how to do stuff the right way with simple “ingredients”… I like the way you always demonstrate you don’t need marketed and expensive gadgets and products to do proper bike maintenance. Keep up the great content! 👍
Thank you. I try my best to bring simple but effective solutions to common every day bike problems. Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Great attention to detail as always, Tony. I find your videos really useful for diy bike maintenence on a budget. Thank you!
You're Welcome. Also visit our UA-cam home site at:
ua-cam.com/users/MrTony10speed
Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Simple Green is great stuff. Excellent tip
Thank you. Also visit our UA-cam home site at:
ua-cam.com/users/MrTony10speed
Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Why not use a Park chain cleaner with the Simple Green? While it seems to make sense, what does the Dawn dishwashing soap add to the cleaning? Great video! The only one I found that directly addresses my questions.
Thanks. One could use the Park Tool CG-2.4 but it's a bit awkward to use unless you first install the chain on the bike, which is a possibility. One should use soap and water after any degreaser to remove any residual that would interfere with subsequent lubricant - thus the use of the Dawn. Degreaser contains petroleum products that may not evaporate. Regards and safe cycling, Tony
love the double-toothbrush hack :) thanks
You're Welcome. Also visit our UA-cam home site at:
ua-cam.com/users/MrTony10speed
Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Thanks Tony... I used SG to de-grease an old chain prior to parafin hot waxing it. SG worked great. I am going to give it a try on a brand new sram chain, before hot waxing. I wonder if adding goo gone (Orange oil solvent) to the SG would improve its efficacy?
Be careful with using many solvents. Goo Gone is really just acetone and would be a health risk, although some so suggest using it prior to waxing. See:
www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-acetone
Also, do not soak more then 5-10 min. See:
ua-cam.com/video/sh9FLSlGB8Y/v-deo.html
@@tony10speed Ah ok got it... thanks a million Tony!
Brilliant & thank you Tony.🤙
You're Welcome. Also visit our UA-cam home site at:
ua-cam.com/users/MrTony10speed
Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Can you use Simple Green while the chain is still on the bike?
You can use Simple Green directly on the chain while on the bike and then use a brush to work it in. Or if you can use it in a specific chain cleaning devise that snaps onto the bicycle chain. Don't forget to use some soap and water to wash the chain to remove any residual cleaner.
Why not use bicycle specific degreaser?
Simple Green is environmentally friendly, more so then most other degreasers including those made specifically for bicycles which contain some hydrogenated petroleum products.
Also, I no longer allow the chain to soak overnight in Simple Green, mineral spirits or bicycle degreasers. With some chains, such as new Shimano bicycle chain, the chain surface will turn black after overnight soaking. This may be due to the fact that such chains are coated with SIL-TEC in the plating process that supposedly improves system performance through the use of embedded fluorine particles. Overnight soaking may be removing or oxidizing this surface coating, although this is a guess on my part.
Why do the manufacturers say to leave the packing grease on?
Good question and I can only guess. Maybe they feel if you had to clean off the packing grease before use, you may not want to buy they're product. The manufacturers tell us that any lubricant we use will not penetrate into the bushings and pins as well as the sticky wax coating. This we have disproved in our prior video:
ua-cam.com/video/2mUMeijywUg/v-deo.html
They also do not address the issue concerning the fact that the packing grease is very sticky and will pick up road grime and dirt. So it's anybody's guess.
FYI - Simple green is corrosive to aluminum. Do not use simple green to clean the chain while it's on the bike. Even if you have a steel or carbon bike, your bike is likely full of expensive aluminum derailleur, sprocket, hub components.
Your statement is a little out of context. Here the full statement from the manufacturers of Simple Green:
• When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser, and Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process.
• Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
The above also holds true for most bicycle specific degreasers. See our video: ua-cam.com/video/sh9FLSlGB8Y/v-deo.html
Luckily, the chains we use are not made of aluminum but you are correct that, depending on your bike, other components may be aluminum. When using any type of degreaser including Simple Green, we suggest subsequent washing with soap and water and rinsing. We also suggest using caution if using degreaser while the chain is on the bike since degreaser can contaminate disc rotors, disc brake pads and other components.
Is it better to let the chain soak in the Simple Green?
If you have the time and enough Simple Green, soaking the chain for a few hours would be ideal. I've also used the Foaming Simple Green with good results. Thanks for the question, Tony
Don't forget to lubricate the chain after installation. See:
ua-cam.com/video/ubKCHtZ20-0/v-deo.html
For both environmental and health reasons, I discourage use of such volatile petroleum products as Kerosine and Gasoline which are also flammable. The method described can also be used on a very grimy or dirty chain when you have a re-useable master link (such as those by KMC).
The weak spot of this method is that you still pour the solute mineral oil/grease into the sink. Thats why for the first cleaning I take mineral turpentine. You can reuse it many times and if it gets to dirty you can put it outside and let it evaporate. Do you use biodegradable chain lube based on plant oil?
I use Simple Green which is biodegradable and, according to the EPA, can be safely disposed of down the drain (also has no toxic fumes). You can recycle the Simple Green and let the gunk settle out, but I use such a small amount to clean the chain that it's not worth the effort. I have used Pure Gum Turpentine for various projects and do recycle it as you mention. Mineral Spirits is a little different in that it also contains a small amount of petroleum products that may interfere with the lubricant you use. As to letting turpentine evaporate, this is fine for minute amounts in a well ventilated area or outside, but remember that fumes from any petroleum product should be kept to a minimum since the fumes do alter the environment and climate. As to chain lube, there are many products available and each has there own die-hard following. Thanks for your comments and keep cycling, Tony
@@tony10speed I know that SG is biodegradable but if the chain oil isnt and its petrol based its not such a environmental friendly way to clean the chain. Thats why I only use plant based chain lubes.
I'm not taking my chain off the bike to clean.
How 'bout the packing grease on a new chain?
The outcome will not be as good. More effort in better results out !