The Cycling Chat Thread
- Thread starter ChrisFilter
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sovereignb
Well-Known Member
Discovered a real hidden gem in Dagenham two days back...around the Chase Nature Reserve. Many lakes, paths and forest terrain ❤ would def return didmt even cover all of it.
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sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
We've talked about lube, but how do people get their chains clean?. I've tried the toothbrushes taped together thing, but I was wondering if I could take the chain off and leave it in a jar or something overnight?
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I just buy a new chain or get the bike shop to do it
I use a chain tool (around a fiver from ebay, the ones with loads of interlocking brushes) with muc-off liquid inside. Works well. Then wd40 type stuff to get the water off and provide some lubrication. Then either dry lube or wax (this was mentioned up thread - I actually was quite impressed by it)
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
I take the chain and cassette off and apply degreaser (Muc-Off or Simple Green). Then throw them in the parts washer with hot water and detergent. A quick blast with WD40, then back on the bike to be lubed.
maomao
普費斯
Where's that final sculpture? Chase nature reserve is one of my favourite walking spots.
PursuedByBears
Go stick your head in a pig
Chain cleaner onto the chain and cassette with a paintbrush, leave for 15 mins, then rinse off with a big car sponge & hot water. Dry the chain and then lube it.
maomao
普費斯
Doesn't that involve breaking a link or have you got some super-duper fancy bike where the chain doesn't have to go round the stay? Or are chains different now as well?
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
As I’ve said before, i use Squirt lube and have never since worried about cleaning chains. The muck just flakes off. At most I’ll occasionally run an old, dry brush over it. Reapply every other ride, nice and easy.
I've always got on pretty well with KMC Missing Links. Other manufacturers (including SRAM I think) have something similar and I think Shimano have started using them in some cases to replace the one-time special pin. I usually use KMC chains which come with them in any case. They are a bit of a faff to open/close until you get the hang of them but there is a tool that makes removal easier. I recently got one of these and it works pretty well. Usually have a couple of chains on the go at any given time, take the dirty one off while cleaning the bike, put the clean one on and lube it, then clean the old chain as per DownwardDog ready to go back on the next time. I typically chuck it in a wide-necked plastic bottle with some degreaser, shake it up, rinse with water a few times, wipe clean then dry in the oven (traditionally, while it is cooling down after cooking a pizza). If you want to get properly obsessive, note the dates/mileage when you switch chains to ensure they are getting equal wear.
Of course, if you are really serious, only the ShelBroCo Bicycle Chain Cleaning System, devised by the late, great Sheldon Brown, will be good enough.
Cid
Proper break this time
Yep, maomao your new chain will probably have one of those on it already... The one on my current SRAM chain is an arse to separate so might get a tool. Worth having a couple of spares. Also good shout on spare chain, I might do that. I do have the lube that beesonthewhatnow mentioned, seems to work well, but good practice to keep things clean and take the chain off every now and then. Also quite tempted to invest in a sonic cleaner some time.
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
I use KMC chains that have a master link. You can take them on and off in seconds with the link pliers.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Do you reuse the links, or put on a new one each time?
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
Reuse. I never knew you were supposed to use new ones!
Cid
Proper break this time
Yeah definitely reuse. Snapped chains on the mtb from time to time, kept a spare for impromptu repairs. I ran a chain with at least two for a while, shear laziness. Until I realised I had a spare chain in the bits box. If I change chains I’ll keep the link for emergencies.
klang
klang
did / can you swim in the lakes?
maomao
普費斯
The White Hart lakes are for fishing and Tom Thumb lake definitely has a sign saying no swimming as it's a nature reserve. I don't know about Bardag lake but it's basically just a big puddle anyway.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
This is always the subject of much heated debate when it comes up at the club run cafe stop...
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
I reckon I've done over 50,000km on KMC chains with constant reuse and no problems.
For years I used to break and rejoin Shimano chains without using the 'long' pin. That's another thing that's supposed to be haram but is fine.
Hope nobody here objects if I flag up the thread I recently started on the Bristol and South West forum:
Attacked and robbed on Bristol-Bath Railway Path heading through Easton
Guess it's quite possible that the bike shows up outside the region (in the unlikely event it shows up at all). Full description available on that thread. Any comments / sighting reports there too if possible. Long shot, I know. Thanks.
Attacked and robbed on Bristol-Bath Railway Path heading through Easton
Guess it's quite possible that the bike shows up outside the region (in the unlikely event it shows up at all). Full description available on that thread. Any comments / sighting reports there too if possible. Long shot, I know. Thanks.
sovereignb
Well-Known Member
I didnt swim, not sure if you can or if Id want to. Some of the lakes were members only too with fishermen. But there were some others (like those in my pics) where it seemed like it would be fine.
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sovereignb
Well-Known Member
Im not from the area so unfortunately don't remember the name. Possibly Bell-something park??? It was not in the reserve though, nor was it Central Park or the one attached to it. I did get about
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sovereignb
Well-Known Member
Is Mr W still alive
mauvais
on reddit or something
I rode my bike the other morning, which is a rarity these days. Did the red MTB trails in our local park and had a decent time despite overall cowardice and sloth like pace. Then on the way back I think I split the chain and either way tore off the rear mech, breaking the hanger. Never done that before in tens of thousands of miles. Got a new chain and cassette, but still waiting for a replacement to come in the post.
mauvais
on reddit or something
This is a relatively new thing, isn't it? I think maybe with 11 or 12 speed. I'm sure it was always hidden away in the instructions that you shouldn't use a worn one again but now 'not reusable' seems to be front and centre.
Cid
Proper break this time
Says nothing about it on my spare (official SRAM 11 speed).
Which is obviously not to say they recommend it, but it’s not on the packet.
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Cid
Proper break this time
Have a scan of Facebook/eBay? Sounds horrible, hope you’re doing ok.
