Across Canada, winter has taken hold and the roads are covered in snow, slush and salt. For all the cyclists who are still out on the road, it’s essential to keep your bicycle’s chain free of all that grit. Here’s how to take proper care of your bike chain and ensure a smooth ride the next time you cycle!
1. Wipe off all the dirt that’s accumulated on your chain with a rag. Get as much off as you can, but don’t worry if you can’t get all of it.
2. Select a solvent. When cleaning your chain, it’s important to make sure that the solvent you’re using is specifically made for cleaning bikes. Other solvents can release toxic fumes or damage the chain cleaner.
3. If you have a chain cleaner, snap it on to your bike chain. Fill the cleaner with solvent and slowly rotate the pedals. As the chain moves through the cleaner it will be scrubbed by the cleaner’s brushes. If you don’t have a chain cleaner, a toothbrush can be used to effectively scrub your chain. Remove your chain and soak it in solvent. Hang it up to dry before reattaching it to your bike.
Keeping your chain clean prevents the wear caused by dirt and extends its lifespan. Our next maintenance tip will deal with another important part of chain care: lubricating your bike chain. In the meantime head over to our Facebook and twitter pages and share your bike maintenance tips.
This bike maintenance tip was based on information from Wikibooks.
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