How to take rust off bike chain

Simply put, rust thrives in humid and wet conditions where metals can react to oxygen and water, a process known as oxidisation. Left in a damp, humid area such as a garage or bike lock-up, exposed to the elements over the wetter months is a sure-fire way to gain some unwanted rust. Not a problem though, how to take rust off bike chain, Muc-Off is here to help! By carefully treating the existing rust and then forming a protective anti-corrosive barrier, you can protect your chain for years to come.

Rust on your chain is no good—it creates additional friction, places wear on your other drivetrain components, and makes the chain more susceptible to breakage. The good news is that a rusty chain is a relatively easy fix. Are there are a few rusty spots, or is the chain completely covered in rust? Fortunately, a new chain is relatively inexpensive and fairly easy to replace yourself. On your rear cassette , do you have 7 rings, 10 rings, or more?

How to take rust off bike chain

Alex Paton takes a look at four very different bicycle cleaning products to see which one will work best at removing rust. Junior Tech Writer. If you have ever left a bike unattended for a prolonged period of time, especially if it is stored outside, you have more than likely found that certain components have become rusty. Fortunately, all is not lost as in most cases, a rusty chain or cassette can be restored to its former shiny self with a bit of elbow grease and the helping hand of some chemical cleaners. To try and offer a solution to the problem many of us have faced, Alex Paton aimed to find out exactly which method works best by putting specific rust cleaners up against a degreaser, baking soda and even Coca-Cola. For this test Alex is using a rusty chain, however the same principles apply to chainrings, cassettes, derailleurs or any other rusty component. The first step is always to remove the component from the bike so you can work on it in isolation. How do four very different products perform when it comes to cleaning a rusty chain? To ensure all the options are tested equally Alex is going to break the same rusty chain into four equal parts and place them in each of the chemical cleaners for one hour. At the end of the hour, each chain is agitated with a wire brush to help lift off the surface rust. Each chain is then put in a ziplock bag along with the cleaning agent and left. Using the ziplock bag ensures that each section of the chain gets fully submerged, ensuring the comparability of the results. Rust is a byproduct of the oxidation process in metal. When iron comes into contact with a combination of oxygen and water, the corrosive process that takes place creates rust.

Alex Paton and Ollie Bridgewood return to discuss what proved to be a controversial week in the world of bike tech. When commuting to workask to bring your bike into your office or cubicle rather than leaving it locked up outside. Toss it.

This Instructable is inspired by a tip from Uruwaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan seen here , a book that we keep around the office. Flipping through it one day, I noticed that they had an interesting method for removing rust from a bike, and I thought I'd give it a try. Working with Jessy , we took a tip from the book in another direction and successfully removed the rust from bikes quickly and easily. We used it on the chain as well as the other metal parts, and it worked well; however, after discussing with some bike experts and receiving comments about it, it has been determined that using it on the chain is a little risky. If you properly clean off the acid by rinsing and drying thoroughly , it should be fine, but remnant acid could weaken the chain. So be careful! For this Instructable, you'll need: Citric acid : We used some lime juice we had leftover in the fridge, but any citrus-y juice will work--lemon, lime, etc.

Rust not only affects the appearance of your bike chain, but it also affects how it performs. We will teach you how to use the right tools and techniques, so you can get your chain looking and performing like new again. Act now and start riding without fearing the rust! Wondering which bike wheel size is for what height? Click here to know the answer.

How to take rust off bike chain

To clean a rusty bike chain, use a degreaser and a stiff brush to remove dirt and rust particles. Keeping your bike chain clean and well-maintained is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable ride. Over time, rust can build up on your bike chain, causing it to become stiff and less efficient. But fear not! Cleaning a rusty bike chain is easier than you might think. With a few simple steps and some basic household items, you can have your bike chain looking as good as new in no time. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:. By following these simple steps, you can effectively clean a rusty bike chain and restore its performance. Remember to incorporate regular chain cleaning into your bike maintenance routine to ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride every time you hit the road or trail. Riding a rusty bike can be quite frustrating.

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It will also help you notice damaged links sooner. Jonas has over 20 years of experience managing bicycle retail stores and has operated Huckleberry Bicycles since If there is unnatural resistance or irregular noises from the chain like groaning, scraping, or grinding , you may have reinstalled the chain incorrectly. Rust will dissolve and the metal will have a black coating. Maintenance Cleaning Tech test. Onward, Joshmobile III, onward! Do you want to shop on the EU site? Dampen a clean rag with degreaser. Working with Jessy , we took a tip from the book in another direction and successfully removed the rust from bikes quickly and easily. You should only use a specially formulated bike lubricant for this purpose. Paper towels or an old rag. Run the chain through a rag wet with degreaser.

Apart from degrading the beauty of your bike, it can also cause it to snap, slip, or skip. So, how do you remove rust from a bike chain?

Flipping through it one day, I noticed that they had an interesting method for removing rust from a bike, and I thought I'd give it a try. The rust remover had a lot to live up to, being the only product in this test that actually claims to be able to clean rusted metal products and restore them to what they once were. Did this article help you? GCN Tech Show. If you have ever left a bike unattended for a prolonged period of time, especially if it is stored outside, you have more than likely found that certain components have become rusty. Popular Categories. Lube the chain. Both include anti-corrosion inhibitors which will help prevent and break down any remaining rust whilst riding the bike. Suitable for metalwork, electrical components and most rigid plastic trim. As the chain on your bike wears out, it gets longer, because there's more play around the rivets and rollers holding the chain together. I think bicycle chain maintenance is way overrated.