Drivetrain Care

Everyone's favourite tour leader Larry has some wise words in his latest CycleItalia newsletter for those of us that like a clean chain and set of sprockets:

This cleaning method uses a tiny amount of diesel fuel as a solvent. A gallon-sized gasoline can will hold a lifetime supply for the average bike owner. I use less than a liter (quart) of diesel fuel to service (many times) our entire rental fleet and our own bikes after weekly washing during our season. A tablespoon (1 oz) is enough to clean your entire drivetrain. Brush it carefully onto the chain (top and bottom) as you rotate the cranks. Brush both sides of the chainrings and the front and rear derailleurs. Hold the brush against the derailleur pulleys as you rotate the cranks. Finally, brush the cogset.

Now, soap up the rest of the bike. Then, using a very soapy sponge reserved strictly for this messy job, sponge off the dirt and solvent from the drivetrain. When that's done, wash the rest of your bike. Once you've washed everything with soap and rinsed everything well, wipe the entire drivetrain with a dry rag. Use the rag to clean between the rear cogs - like you were flossing your teeth - by working the edge of the rag between the cogs, moving back and forth.
Now your drivetrain is clean, but retains a bit of oil on all its moving parts, including inside the chain rollers!

With our rental fleet or our personal bicycles, no further lubing of the chain is needed for a few hundred kilometers - though as they say on TV, your mileage may vary.