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forum
Chain wrecking
I've just had shiny new KMC chain installed. Being a new chain it's pretty sticky, which I'd like to sort- however the KMC website says : "Try to avoid a so-called ‘chain washing machine’ in combination with solvent. This will instantly ruin your chain."
So what's this all about? Is instant ruination really the inevitable consequence of a spot of degreasing? What do I do with my lube collection that all require a greaseless chain to apply?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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14 comments
And now the KMC response:
Thanks for your question.
"In our factory the grease is injected into the chain’s bearing before assembly, this means without doing anything the grease will remain there for quite some time, 500K ~ 1000K
As long as you regularly clean the chain (with a dry cloth) and re-lubricate (on rollers only) you could carry on for a long time.
Therefore please try to avoid putting the chain in aggressive solvents, this will remove the grease which is inside, and replace it with unwanted materials which will make your chain very noisy."
Response from Muc Off:
"We have tested thousands of chains with our products and have never had a problem with any of them ruining a chain. (they are designed for this very purpose)
We would recommend thoroughly cleaning your chain and then re applying the lube, maintaining a clean chain as often as possible.
If you are concerned you may want to ask KMC why they recommend you do not degrease your chain?
Please let us know with your feedback."
Dear Mr Muc Off,
Surely, as a seller of chain cleaners, you should be interested enough in the opinions of the world's biggest chain maker to ask them yourself?
Indeed!
If you wash/wipe off the outer coating of grease and dont reapply a lubricant/protective layer the chain will rust. Cosmetically it will look poor. Leaving the manufacturer grease in situ until you need to properly clean the chain is probably the best method, but it will turn a dark black quite quickly.
Here we go again with another chain cleaning thread. Just do what you wish, it will be right for you and wrong for most.
Buy a new chain once a year, they're cheap enough to do that
my apologies for being so tiresome.
No need to apologise:). If you manage to do a search of the site you will find many threads regarding chains, cleaning and lubricant. Some even have my preferred method
I was grumpy last night wasn't I? Apologies
I have had a look at the threads, and got rather lost in descriptions of putting chains in pans filled with heated ( :-0 )paraffin every weekend versus giving it a quick rub down once a year.
I'd hoped my question was rather more specific- ie how to reconcile advice from the lube manufacturer to degrease thoroughly before applying v the chain manufacturer saying never to degrease!
I've had an aknowledgment from Muc Off- awaiting a further response
The problem with cleaning with solvents is due to a condition called hydrogen embrittlement:
http://velonews.competitor.com/2005/11/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq/tech...
................if you leave your chain for weeks in something called Simple Green.
Not what I was planning and that doesn't sound much like what KMC have in mind
I've dropped a line to Muc off customer services to see what they say. It'll need a good clean sooner or later!
I use KMC chains but obviously haven't read the instructions. I always thought a clean chain was the only way to reduce wear so it's going to get the degreaser at some point. As little dry lube as possible is the advice from my bike mechanic; the only down side at this time of year is it needs a quick relube if it gets a soaking. I seem to get a reasonable distance out of them but it's pretty hilly round here which tends to shorten their life.
Personally (having a few KMC chains) I give them a good old squirt with GT-85 which will take the sticky shite away and leave it clean and with some very light lube on. Then, apply your fave chain lube. Works fine for me.