How to Clean and Lubricate Your Bike Chain

Keeping your bike chain clean isn’t just a matter of aesthetics. Did you know that regular bicycle chain maintenance can not only help your bike run more smoothly, but it can also keep you safe on the road? Plus, cleaning your bike properly may also prolong its lifespan — saving you money in the long run.

With the average bike chain comprising a whopping 116 links, it has more working parts than any other bike component, giving it all the more reason to need regular TLC to keep it functioning as it should.

Read on to learn more about why it’s important to take care of your bike chain and how it may not be as daunting as you think to clean and lubricate it yourself.

Bike Chain Maintenance

If you’re new to cycling, it’s easy to overlook the importance of maintaining your bike’s chain in favour of more ‘exciting’ features like the brakes and the bell. But, it’s worth pointing out that a dirty, rusty bike chain won’t just make you work harder when you’re out on a ride, it’s also bad for your bike.

If you neglect your bike chain and leave it to get dirty or rust, the chain links won’t pivot as they go over the sprocket and, eventually, the chain may come off the sprocket itself, meaning you’ll no longer be able to change gear. If your pleasant family bike ride ends up with you stranded miles from home on a broken bike, then it’s no laughing matter.

If cycling has become one of your regular past times, then looking after your bike chain should be a regular habit too!

A step-by-step guide to cleaning & lubricating your bike chain

Step 1: Prepare your chain

When it comes to lubricating your bike chain, preparation is everything. Don’t just apply oil to a dirty chain — all that will do is create an adhesive paste that will grind away at the chain and potentially cause even more damage. Instead, give your chain a thorough clean first.

You don’t need to clean your chain every time you want to oil it, but you should always check whether it’s dirty first just in case. A good tip is that, if you can’t read the make and model name of the chain (this information is usually stamped on each link), then it’s time to give it a once over.

Before you start, it’s handy to have the following ready:

• Old newspaper
• Old rags or kitchen roll
• Some light spray oil to displace water, e.g. WD40 or GT85
• Cycle-specific chain oil
• Degreaser (avoid harmful degreasers such as diesel, benzene, gasoline, or acetone
• A clip-on chain cleaner or stiff brushes

Step 2: Take extra care with disc brakes

If your bike is equipped with disc brakes, then you should consider either covering your disc rotor or removing your wheel to clean the chain. If you don’t plan to cover your disc rotor, then make sure to apply degreaser as far away from it as you can.

Alternatively, you can use a chain-cleaning device or remove the wheel and use a chain keeper instead.

Step 3: Apply degreaser

Place a sheet of newspaper between the lower run of your bike’s chain and the back wheel to keep oil off your rims. Then, spray your degreaser onto the chain whilst simultaneously turning the pedals backwards. This will ensure you cover the whole of the chain component thoroughly. If you’ve opted for a chain-cleaning device, be sure to pour the degreaser in until it reaches the fill line.

Step 4: It’s ragtime!

Using one of your rags or a brush, rub the degreaser into the chain. It’s a good idea to use one rag or brush just for the drivetrain and keep a clean one back to use on the rest of your bike to avoid getting dirty black stains all over your two-wheeled pride and joy.

Step 5: Wait and rinse off

After 5 minutes, or however long the manufacturer’s instructions state, wash the degreaser off. Why not use this time to give the rest of your bike a clean?

Step 6: Wipe clean

Use a rag to wipe the chain until it’s no longer black. You may need to repeat the degreasing process if your chain is especially dirty.

Step 7: Dry the cycle chain

Once you’ve removed all the black residue from the chain, you can now dry it using a clean, dry cloth or a rag. To prevent any build-up of rust, don’t leave the chain to sit overnight before you dry it off.

Step 8: Lubricate the chain

For this final step, it’s a good idea to use a cycle-specific chain oil rather than a spray lubricant. This reduces the risk of getting lubricant on the disc brake rotor or calliper. If you’re using your bike in the winter, then wet oil will work best. By applying the lubricant one drop at a time on each link, you’ll have the chance to inspect your bike chain and check for any tight links or mis-pressed rivets.

Faff-free bike repairs with Fettle

Kwik Fit has partnered with Fettle to offer ‘faff-free’ bike repairs and servicing across its growing network of workshops in the UK. From free bike assessments, to hassle-free bicycle MOTs and puncture repair services, Fettle has all your bike maintenance needs covered. You can even arrange home pick-up and delivery too if you’re based in London or Cambridge.