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I have so far been using the lazy solution: spray a foamy degreaser (the new-ish product line from WD40, likely the one the OP references), with the aspiration of graduating to using seriously deep cleaning (the brushes and rollers from that famed brand, in which the chain is dipped into a degreaser). Can you clarify whether your "too much solvent/degreaser" comment applies to the latter? Because I cycle mostly on paved trails, my chain gets greasy dust rather than tiny pieces of asphalt. Might this be one of those questions whose answer depends on the kind of dirt one accumulates?
– Sam7919
Commented Nov 13, 2020 at 17:43
3

@Sam I don’t think that deep cleaning a chain is necessary or desirable (unless you are doing the soak in parafin wax thing) I’ve found good quality dry lube and wiping the chain down regularly increases chain life. I was using a Park Tool chain cleaning tool previously.
– Argenti Apparatus
Commented Nov 13, 2020 at 17:49
I second the recommendation to wipe down the chain regularly (every ride is fine!) with a rag. This wipes dirt off the exterior of the chain, so there should be less dirt accumulating between the pins and rollers.
– Weiwen Ng
Commented Nov 13, 2020 at 18:58
1

Bike degreasers are weaker because they do not get the grease out of 'nasty' places. You chain needs grease (lube), removing grease from hard to get to places means its hard to get it back where its needed. If you want you bike chain to look pretty, as in Steampunk style with lots of surface rust, aggressive degreaser is a good way to go. If you want your chain to perform and last and not rust, then less aggressive degreasers are appropriate. Bicycle specific chain cleaners are designed to give enough degreasing without over doing it, but other options don't have the bicycle shop tax.
– mattnz
Commented Nov 14, 2020 at 21:15
As for over-cleaning, thats couldn't be farther from the truth. You should have seen the drivetrain, in all its slick black glory. Oh, the gunk that seen on the annual thorough clean, it was worse than sewage sludge. Of course, I am learning and now regularly wipe down my chain, so as to stop things from being gunked up.Important too, considering the 150-200km per week milage. But no, neither are bike degreasers cheap here, nor am I over cleaning.
– An Ant
Commented Nov 16, 2020 at 10:26

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