Your bicycle chain is the unsung hero of every ride—powering your movement and connecting every pedal stroke to the road ahead.
When to Clean & Lube
- Clean the chain every few weeks or if it sounds noisy
- After wet or muddy rides, clean more often
Basic On‑Bike Cleaning
- Lift the back wheel and pedal backward slowly.
- Use a stiff brush or rag with degreaser to wipe links.
- Wipe chain dry with a clean rag.
More Thorough Cleaning
- For dirtier chains, use a chain cleaning tool or remove chain.
- Soak it in a degreaser or solvent, clean with brush
- Dry completely before re‑installing.
Lubricating the Chain
- Use bike‑specific lube (wet for rainy, dry for dusty)
- Apply one drop per link, spin chain to work lube in.
- Wipe off extra so it won’t attract dirt.
Look Out for Problems
- Watch for tight links (don’t bend well) and noise.
- If the chain skips, gets noisy or shows wear—clean more or replace it.
Tools & Supplies
- Stiff brush or toothbrush
- Clean, dry rags
- Bike degreaser / solvent
- Bike‑specific lube (wet/dry)
- Chain‑cleaner tool (optional)
- Chain‑tool for removal (optional)
Quick Steps Recap
- Spot‑clean on the bike with brush/rag.
- Do deep clean off the bike if very dirty.
- Lube every time, wipe off extra.
- Check for wear and fix or replace chain if needed.
Keep Your Bicycle in Top Shape!
And when you’d rather let pros handle it, Dr Cycle Service makes it easy to book a service at drcycleservice.ca. They’ll help keep your bicycle running its best!
Important note:
This post was created with the help of ChatGPT by OpenAI. Information was gathered from various online resources, and while AI strives for accuracy, it may occasionally include errors. Please verify details independently when needed.
