How to clean and lubricate your chain
A clean, properly lubed chain shifts better and lasts longer. Here is the degrease-wipe-lube routine, step by step.
Cleaning and lubricating a bicycle chain is an important task that can extend the life of your bike and ensure smooth and efficient performance. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Cleaning the Chain
- Shift your bike into the smallest chainring and rear sprocket to expose as much of the chain as possible.
- Apply a bike-specific degreaser to the chain, working it into each link with a brush or rag.
- Use a clean rag to wipe off the degreaser and any accumulated dirt and grime.
- Repeat the process until the chain is clean.
Step 2: Lubricating the Chain
- Shift the bike into the same position as in step 1 to make the chain easily accessible.
- Apply a small amount of bike-specific lubricant to the chain, focusing on the rollers and pins.
- Use a clean rag to remove any excess lubricant.
Note: It is important to use a bicycle-specific lubricant as other oils and lubricants can attract dirt and grime, making the chain even dirtier over time.
Step 3: Final Check
- Shift through all gears to ensure that the lubricant is evenly distributed on the chain. If a shift still hesitates on a clean, freshly lubed chain, dial the rear derailleur indexing back in.
- Use a clean rag to wipe off any excess lubricant.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean and lubricate your bicycle chain and keep your bike running smoothly. Regular maintenance of your chain is essential to ensure long-lasting performance and avoid costly repairs. If you want to take the chain off to clean it, then you can see all our tools for that here: Chain Tools
Tools used in this guide
Straight from the article — no hunting through the catalog.
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Master Chain Tool
Regular price $109.99 USDRegular priceUnit price per -
Chain Wear Indicator
Regular price $19.99 USDRegular priceUnit price per
