Basic Chain Maintenance

A clean and well maintained chain will prolong the life of your gears and reduce chain-wear and chain-stretch while helping your bike look its best. Remember that doing something to maintain your chain is better than doing nothing so follow these steps to keep your chain working and looking great:

• Degrease – spray degreaser (WD-40 works well in a pinch) on your chain while turning the crank backwards.
• De-grime – use an old rag to grab the lower portion of chain while turning crank in reverse to remove buildup.
• Dry – 5 minutes in the sun is best to allow complete drying, but any drying will work.
• Lube – drip chain lube on every link while moving backwards through the entire chain.
• Remove Excess – backpedal with a rag again to remove excess lube. Too much lube will attract dirt and grime.
• Next Ride – wipe your chain again after your next two rides to remove any additional buildup.
• Repeat – clean again when your chain begins to make noise or has buildup.