How To Get A Perfectly Clean Chain + Drivetrain | Mountain Bike Maintenance

With a clean chain and drivetrain, your shifting will be smoother and your bike will work better. Here's how to do it.
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A black, gritty, dirty chain looks bad, will wear out more quickly and doesn't work as well. Depending how often you ride, cleaning the chain on your mountain bike might be a weekly job - or even more regular. It's worth doing this job thoroughly - using good degreaser, chain brushes, rinsing your bike chain thoroughly and then drying it with a rag.
Once your drivetrain is clean and dry, apply the right chain lube. Depending on the weather, this might be wet lube or dry chain lube. The clue with chain lube is in the name - wet, grimy winter weather = wet lube, dry, dusty weather = dry lube.
Leave your questions down in the comments and don't forget to SHARE this vide with a mate whop has a filthy bike!
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Music
Per Ljungqvist, Donnie Dragon
- Misbehavin'
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Leave us a comment below!

[@stuhouchin6392]

I don't get why 11 people have given this video a 'thumbs down'. It's free, it's good advice. What more do people want? Scotty to come round and clean their chains for them?

[@Ray-mf3zu]

Stu Houchin those are the type of people who has no friends and no one likes them

[@chychywoohoo]

welcome to youtube, there are dislikes on pretty much every video

[@coen8323]

Because it's an opinion maybe they didn't like how they cleaned it idk

[@manus9438]

Its not really free, you pay by watching ads.

[@CorrupteddSanity]

You're absolutely right

[@Calum_S]

1) wait until mum/wife/girlfriend goes out. 2) strip drivetrain off bike. 3) put drivetrain in dishwasher.

[@JS-tb9hu]

😂

[@suubierex9396]

Calum Spencer | dishwashers cleans dishes by using hot water and degreaser, so can it do the same for the drive terrain? I wonder what the drawbacks are when you do this.

[@jamesfortune1254]

+Woof Woof lots of time removing and adding drivetrain?

[@suubierex9396]

James Fortune | well, that's not a problem since I do take mine apart once in awhile to clean it thoroughly, I'm just thinking if it'll affect it in anyway

[@gmbn]

Comment of the week???

[@hairypaulmm7wab195]

Got a fancy chain cleaning device for Xmas, (plastic 'bath' type with 3 brush wheels in it) Gave it a go & found it is more faffing about than it is worth & did not properly clean the chain. Went back to manual chain cleaning with brushes & had much better results with less fuss :-)

[@csarmartez5175]

Less faff you mean? :D

[@CanIHasThisName]

It is ill-advised to use degreaser every single time on your chain. In fact, degreaser should be a measure of last resort for chain cleaning, as it washes out the precious high viscosity lubricant that can only be put into the chain during manufacturing. Of course, during muddy winter, it becomes necessary very soon. Best way to clean the cassette is to remove the rear wheel from your bike, spray the cassette with degreaser (yes, yes, while not contaminating the brakes), wait two minutes and then rinse it off with healthy amount of water. Usually you won't even need to use a brush or anything. Cleaning the chainring(s) is best done when the chain is off. Especially if you have a 1x setup, there's no excuse for not taking the chain off. In order to properly clean rear mech wheels, it's best to take them out of the derailleur. It's difficult and sometimes impossible to clean them properly and when they get really gritty, they'll put up lot of resistance because the dirt will get packed in there really tight. Taking the jockey wheels out is pretty easy, it's just one screw and I'd argue it's the most efficient way of cleaning them, as you're guaranteed to get out absolutely all of the dirt and it'll take you five minutes at the very most. Do it with the bike upside down and the rear wheel unmounted. Also be aware that the tension wheel may be one sided.

[@jyeberry3699]

best way I've found to clean the chain is to slit a sponge straight down the middle and run it through where Scott did with the brush and treat it like a chain cleaner. Best of luck!!

[@oliverminshall9114]

can you do a vid on how to do a service like the ones at shops.

[@DanPotter1974]

Great Vid as always, Just one point to note though probably better to lube the INSIDE of the chain not the OUTSIDE as this is the side contacts more of the moving parts within the drivetrain.

[@earlgrey1492]

*Uses 100 litres of water*..."looking pretty good!"

[@mwong987]

Imagine some poor Nigerian watching this clip. The horror!

[@jayesh5131]

@@mwong987 Why a different continent dude every continent faces a water situation

[@srenjensen7993]

The fact that we burn calories for fun ridning bikes? And you are concerned about water... I just came back from a ride and ate an avocado... 😂

[@idontknowwhoiam8018]

@Haters Hate water recycle itself by help of whale's fishes and other under water life's and wich you and most of humans kill for their selfish needless needs

[@Matthew-er3hg]

@@idontknowwhoiam8018 You are so dense. How does a whale or fish recycle water? Like did you ever learn about the water cycle?

[@jcmymtb1258]

That slow motion shower turned me on!!

[@williamkeys5701]

Brings new meaning to the phrase "bike porn"!

[@Warrior6504]

I do a complete strip down and degrease / clean of all the drive train, my bike is 3 years old and looks brand new.

[@P0pcornmaschine]

and i got a 1 year old bike and it looks old :D

[@olivierhacking]

Great video! However, using water only works just as well - just be sure to use a good brush to remove the dirt. If done correctly, the chain will spin very smoothly after cleaning with only water!

[@ThePlasticDragon]

looks good! It would be fun if you could test how clean the chain really is after a normal thorough wash. The last time I cleaned my chain it looked really clean. Then I twisted a few links slightly and you could hear a crackle from the dirt still stuck in the chain...

[@KnightTemplar1977]

That "dirty" chain is already 100 times cleaner than my chain.

[@DonRayec]

True, i would like to clean it but even when we have garden, we dont have the hoses to clean the cassete and chain

[@edoardotrezzi956]

Ahahah sure

[@mattlaw2993]

The thing it doesn't show which I have trouble with is cleaning the back side of the derailleur/jockey wheels and chain ring, always really difficult to try and get brushes in from the other side. To clean the chain I use a chain cleaning tool, much less mess and does a great job.

[@oscarjorgensen3191]

nice vid, I just got a new moutainbike and i love these maintain vids so i can keep my bike fresh

[@henrifischer1119]

what I would like to see - in at least one of the "clean your drivechain" video's of which there are so many - is how to responsibly deal with the pollution that it produces. Like the dirty water and rags. The only thing I have seen is presenters advising to use bio-degradable degreaser. There must be more we can do to keep oil and grease from ending up in the environment.

[@SHWELL11]

I use Aluminum Specific Simple Green, it is tough, but safe to use on most metals and finishes. Find it to work extremely well for my needs. I have to order it online by the gallon. It isnt available in most stores.

[@samuelscott7646]

SHWELL11 I will have to try that. Thanks for the advice

[@SHWELL11]

NO problem. It is an Aircraft specific Simple Green. It is formulated to not leave a residue, and to not cause oxidation on soft metals. I use it in conjunction with my Ultrasonic cleaner to clean Bike chains, as well as firearm parts that do not respond well to traditional degreasers. I can usually find it for $15 a gallon online.. 1 Gallon last about 2 years.

[@mikaelimran3399]

Could ik if u have to clean after every ride or is it okay every month

[@ArthurKiyanovski]

well done! I watched other videos, went to do the job and made a ton of errors. And your video really covers it all.

[@dansotelo228]

I'm a professional mechanic with over 40yrs of experience... Whatever you do, never ever put any type of degreaser or cleaning solvent directly on your bike! If you want to clean your chain, cassette, or chainrings, you need to remove them off your bike and then clean them to your heart's content. Placing any type of solvent on your bike will immediately enter your rear hub bearings, your free-wheel cassette bearings, and your bottom bracket bearings and ruin them. Any type of solvent or degreaser has very high capillary action and will easily go past any sealed bearing. I get to see this all the time where someone purchases a new Hi-End bike and wants to keep it spotless and in less than two months they come to my shop asking "why is my rear hub making so much noise?" I ask them "what type of chain cleaner are they using?". They proudly answer "why I use the best Park Tool model C-bla bla bla, chain cleaner they have!" My Heart Just Sinks... Yet another beautiful new high-end bike ruined because of these stupid Park Chain tool cleaners, costing the consumer hundreds of dollars to replace all those bearings on the rear hubs and bottom bracket. SO PLEASE DO NOT CLEAN ANY DRIVE TRAIN PART DIRECTLY ON YOUR BIKE, YOU NEED TO REMOVE THEM.

[@Big_Boss92]

I just got a new high end bike, muc-off soap is okay on the drivetrain right? very informative points you made there some time ago lol

[@papoypapuyan]

Best option is to bring to the shop and let experts clean?

[@dmkappa62]

Love the hub noise

[@GNX157]

First, lock wheel in place and wrap plastic around disc brake. Just go right to using the Park tool chain cleaner. Much more thorough cleaning and not as messy. Don't need their fluid either. Just buy a gallon of Simple Green and use it full strength. Follow with a round of dawn dishwashing detergent diluted by 75% (to remove all degreaser fluid) then rinse with hose. Dry with compressed air or allow to sit overnight to dry before applying lube.

[@fabricealcindor7302]

Nice video suggest to start the clean by the "galets" ( little wheels on the shifter, don't know English word) because they collect a lot of dirt

[@wireshrub]

With any kind of cleaning it is often a case of merely finding the right kind of brush. How stiff the bristles are, how thick they are, how dense they are. Try the techniques in the video with a number of different brushes and pick the most effective one.

[@kingofthenoobs590]

Looks like LOT of fun at the start of the video

[@wesdotwesdot3246]

I ran out of degreaser.After washing overall used WD-40, brushed/wiped off, rinsed well, lubed-up. That's a rap/wrap.

[@mattmcgregor4892]

I use industrial strength purple degreaser works amazing

[@walknrollers2151]

Nice job. Simple, basic, no complicated tools.

[@MusicStuffSome]

Gotta love that little GMBN background music I think it might have slowly seeped its way into my subconscious over the years haha

[@87togabito]

I actually prefer getting the drivetrain clean first b4 working on the bike itself. Cleaning the bike last, ensures that any drivetrain degreaser is also washed off the body when you clean the body later.

[@Big_Boss92]

🧠👍

[@rterry2752]

You should hit the chain with a heat gun or a hair dryer on high heat. You will have water still inside all the pins and rollers that will prevent lube from getting all the way inside the chain parts. Chain lube on the outside of a chain does absolutely nothing. As far as altering the chains strength, that cant happen to steel until the heat is at 420f.

[@mutweri]

Can you do a video to show us how to service break cables and shifter cables? Not everyone has hydraulic set ups, it would be nice to see this vid. (y)

[@morbitD]

Nice to see Scotty rocking flat pedals for the winter! :)

[@JeffWagen]

that's why I use missing link, I always remove the chain to clean, easier to clean the chain, cassete and chainrings...

[@timothybradek3560]

Thank you for such professionalism in covering the full scope of the bike industry. And to you sir,.. thank you for sharing w/ such detail care.. an excellent presentation. Note: When drying w/ dry cloth, ensure dryness in it's entirety prior of lubrication: For we know that water and oil does 'not' mix. Any type of degreaser used, of course, 'must' be water soluble. Question: Some cyclist opt to use WD-40 as a solvent / degreaser w/ lubricant qualities; what are your thoughts in the use of WD-40 as a degreaser? Thanks

[@gmbn]

We use a range of WD40 products now! Classic WD40 (the water disperser) will degrease a little bit but they have an actual dedicated degreasing product which we prefer to use! If you're going to do it do it properly, right? After degreasing and drying we use a dedicated lubricant

[@timothybradek3560]

I only mentioned WD-40 because I had read others used it as a degreaser Yes, it's simply a water "disperser" because water and oil does not mix.. same characteristics as all WD-40 products. I'll use it for a cleansing / flushing agent, but not as a degreaser when a significant amount of water is to be used as a rinse. Thanks

[@jimgilbert2340]

I like the flat pedals

[@thesootyhilux1321]

Those hubs sound sooo nice

[@harveystephens4759]

Love the de-greezer.

[@Dr4g0nW00d]

only lube the chain the jockeys are ballbearings with greas inside you only get dirt stick between there and increase the wear off it

[@anonymouscommenter6419]

Please do a episode on bike lights #AskGMBN

[@riggermortisfpv526]

Not bad, but I start with a wash, then a wd40 soak, then a soapy solution (muc off or the like), and then a good spray rinse with a bit of ISO, then it drys super fast and easy, re-lube with a wax based lube.....done.

[@TheWaxChainFanClub]

In really enjoying these GMBN videos. Thanks lads.

[@Road38910]

Hi, how about a video on how to clean your discs and pads.

[@jamesturner9858]

We need a video on how to do a waterless bike cleaning. In cold winter areas the water hoses are not able to use. They will freeze

[@gmbn]

Bucket and sponge method!

[@noelius4481]

For my chain I use a chain cleaner and brush for the drivetrain. Tried brush for the chain before but a chain cleaner definitely cleans it better and more efficient plus it's cheap so why not right? I just use a dishwashing liquid soap by the way. 😃

[@jpgpearson]

toilet brush is best to use

[@nicom4996]

À xc racer told me to Nevers Nevers but a lot of water on your rear mech and the chain . however it Will do some rust

[@kgsva]

what?

[@mtbjr.408]

Where i ride there are mud next to dust .

[@tugboat8475]

It's probably the best KZbin video I have seen so far. My question do we get the chain bath or do we get the brushes that you guys use? Cheers.

[@xxkoadyxx]

#askgmbn what Hub/free Hub you running? Sounds ever so lovely.

[@gmbn]

It's from Reynolds they use the Industry Nine hubs built to their rims!

[@howtobebasic2122]

I've always sprayed WD40 on the chain it got it clean and terminated the squeak

[@Raumance]

Oh my god that intro, WARN ME MY MOTHER WAS IN THE ROOM!

[@JS-tb9hu]

What was wrong with it?

[@Ben-cb5ki]

What is wrong with the intro

[@albertocubillas3422]

Raumance m8 I don't see anything wrong with the intro. The only thing I heard that could tip a mother off is the cheering and Scott also said filthy but other than that I don't see anything less. So I don't really know what your on about

[@Raumance]

It was a joke you guys. WHOOSH. You don't want your mother seeing you watching porn and that intro was filled with filthy bubble bike porn.

[@alanriddell833]

I use baby wipes and blue roll for a quick clean and dry. Is there a disadvantage in using such products rather than "rag" cloths? What about using wd40 or similar as a degreaser or water displacer? I always place oil on the inside of the chain, you were putting it on the outside. Does it matter? What do you do between putting on lube and removing excess? I am never sure about removing excess, how much do you want on the exposed surfaces of the chain at the end?

[@csidriss4948]

youy should drop the chain in a 500 ml container with 3-4 cm of solvant, and shake ! replace 2 or 3 times the liquid until no particles remain in the recipient. this is even more efficient. (see pers.mail)

[@senpaidaddy2314]

I will try that as my chain is usually covered in shit

[@charlieharper4975]

Best way to clean your chain : 1) buy a chain cleaning tool. 2) fill it with WD40. Best chain cleaner I ever used. 2nd best is camp stove gas, also known as 'white gas'. Getting hard to find now but a very good cleaner.

[@genixia]

White gas is just additive-free gasoline, and regular lead-free gas would be just as effective as a cleaner. I'd avoid using anything so volatile though. Diesel or Kerosene would be a much safer alternative.

[@martinvillacorta2929]

we have a desame drive train set on my trek superfly carbon fiber

[@Knappovision]

Ultrasonic parts cleaner. Nothing gets a chain cleaner, I use to use a muck-off chain cleaner but it never gets right into the chain and removes the fine filth.

[@Happy_Shopper]

The muc off chain cleaner machine is shit in my personal opinion

[@gnuPirate]

Nice tip. Thanks. Found a cheap one of these in the bin at work, I should see if it goes, now that I have a use for it.

[@addisonday1189]

You should do a how to jump step-ups video

[@4091740]

DAMN that free hub is LOUD!!

[@johncoppock3823]

Great video. Can you be sure you didn't get water in the bearings? (I can see that is tricky issue for off road bike). Also how did you clean the yard afterwards, is degreaser down the drains acceptable these days ?

[@socas_nic]

#ASKGMBN Adding grease on your gear cable to keep moisture away yay or nay?

[@JussyWussy]

Socrates Nicolaou nay

[@sultanabran1]

scott, you should've done the washing scene with a mankini on. good video by the way.

[@danielbarba3682]

New to biking here but I’ve had a few people already tell me not to hose your bike down??

[@damir330004]

It's easier to remove chain and cassete . I do this for 15 years and there is no problem And the chain is cleaner 😎

[@mikekouroumichalis9877]

Perfect cleaning job guys. Nice video.

[@michaelzschoche2746]

How does your bike not have any scratches? I use the muc-off dry lube because I'm in California, and it didn't rain very often. I love the stuff. I do need a degreaser and cleaner though. This is the 2nd video I've seen with the muc-off cleaner, so maybe I'll pick some up tomorrow. Any idea where to get all those brushes you were using? Great video. Any other maintenance that need a to be done, nd how often?

[@DIYgrandpa]

That shock needs some air (1:39)

[@egs7233]

nice room!! more videos Mountain Bike Maintenance!!

[@DrMichaelCote]

how often do you clean it this thoroughly? After every ride?

[@mannyguerrero7641]

Michael Cote that depends on how often do you use your bike or how dirty get in your rides. When you see dust on it, thats ok even mud. but when you see dust mud and the lub or greaser get black thats the time to give a very well clean. After the degreaser and before the lub, use a soapy solution too.

[@velo1337]

if the bike was as dirty as in the video, yes every ride otherwise youll have problems shifting anyway

[@richardanderson4916]

Dope bike bro!!!

[@Frisqn]

Cleaning clean bike.

[@charliefoxtrotter]

erm spill all that degreaser off the brush before application? (great for degreaser manufacturers!)

[@DeezNuts-mk5zy]

Can i use wd40 as degreaser?

[@kaanv565]

Pl. make a video giving information about cycling in india ( how to make a career in cycling in india)

[@alexandersewell2669]

when washing your bike, should you be concerned about water getting into the frame via the internal cable routing holes?

[@piz83]

+Global Mountain Bike Network - what do you recommend soaking your brushes in after to get rid of the grease / oil? Looks like you need a nice bike wash area and get a head on that hose to go with that fancy new workshop!

[@sarathsankac]

Hi, great video...somebody please tell me where to start the cleaning from the chain for from the body.

[@nuding4923]

He cleaned it before he cleaned it right ?

[@stevenparkin2592]

How to clean an already clean drivetrain 😂

[@Justin_Yung]

Doesn't water get into your bearings and bottom bracket when you water your whole bike?

[@gmbn]

Only with a very high pressure hose, which we avoid!

[@csarmartez5175]

I would still spray AWAY from the bearings and internals, to be sure.

[@jaytothesun99]

I didn’t know you were supposed to wipe off any excess lube at the end I always thought you wanted as much on there.

[@WillG_MTB]

noob

[@Oatmealforlife]

Thanks for this video i really needed it.👍

[@davidbrook7100]

Fully awesome. Do you know if I can buy a degreaser kit with brushes. What do you recommend?

[@davetaylor7664]

Cracking video as always!

[@aden3113]

1:50 how aren't you destroying the disc brake surface, I'm always afraid to get solvents and shit on the discbrakes so that's why I always remove the casette when I clean it.

[@ericgeorge5483]

Great job, you made that look so easy. Has any of you made your own De-Greaser, If so, how?

[@samlarson6437]

dish soap works as degreaser, it is just not bike specific

[@ericgeorge5483]

@@samlarson6437 Dish soap?

[@mkbfpv]

Thanks for the tips 👍

[@DaveLopez575]

Thank you!

[@beafmilk]

I used all purpose degreeser and my hub bearings are useless now and the paint on the rim fell off...

[@redoctober1947]

How do you tell when your hub is wearing out? My drivetrain keeps slipping when I go high power, and I've got it tuned fine, and have put a new chain and cassette on there recently.

[@tobleronzzh9384]

I have the same problem, my freehub seems to be moving slightly

[@angeldustfather]

You guys need to get your hubs reassembled and regreased. My hub was slightly moving side to side so I took it to my LBS and now it sounds very nice and doesn't rattle at all.

[@tobleronzzh9384]

Henris Ivaskevicius I've tried undoing the 10m Allan slot holding the freehub body on and it won't budge. I haven't sprayed it with wd40 but should I? I've taken out the bearing on my hub to get to the 10mm Allan slot. So I just need to undo that then I'm there.

[@angeldustfather]

Take your rear wheel to your LBS, it will take them about 20 minutes and it will cost about 7 dollars.

[@ceecrb1]

So who supplies those tools and workshop organisers? Give us a hint at least?

[@zachocking3906]

They're supplied by park tool

[@ceecrb1]

How can you tell?

[@zachocking3906]

ceecrb1 lucky guess ahaha

[@TheNGuii]

Is suppost to this everytime I'm done with a ride? Or a small clean will make it and then do the full clean at weekends?

[@Kelsin77]

After a clean like that my brushes end up filthy. How do you clean the brushes so they're ready for the next time?

[@randymartin3856]

Five Stars

[@kolenowacki7638]

I know i cant get lube on my brake pads, but what happens if i get foaming chain cleaner on my brake pads?

[@maxrose5935]

#ASKGMBN On the subject of lubrication I remove my front wheel when I need to put the bike in my car. Should I be applying grease/lube to my thru axle occasionally? Could wet lube be used? If not what sort of thing would I use? Thanks

[@SpMoose]

Max Rose yes you should. You should be using bike grease.

[@svenverduijn4621]

Is a Nice clean video, helps really good!!! Try

[@Misterdred3]

Whats about the rear derallieur? Only need some oil on the spring?

[@kodiward7730]

Hey new workshop

[@cheachyang3502]

can clean the chain by water ? would not get rust??

[@harley561000]

Can you please tell me what model and size of Crankbrother pedals those are? Thanks again 😊

[@aljoschanoack3282]

how often are you doing this process?

[@JussyWussy]

Aljoscha Noack once every year