How to Clean A Mountain Bike Chain – Ultimate Guide

Whether you are new to mountain biking or are an avid mountain biker, you will eventually come across dirty bike chains sooner or later. Because no matter what you do, a mountain bike chain will get dirty – even excessively at times. Although you can certainly take the bike to a workshop for cleaning and maintenance, cleaning a mountain bike chain is fairly a simple process that you can easily perform at home (without spending even a single penny!).

Cleaning your own mountain bike chain will not only save you money in the short term, but with more frequent cleanings, it will also enable you to extend the lifetime of both: the bike chain as well as the drivetrain. 

If you look up “how to clean a mountain bike chain” on Google, you will come across numerous different methods and recommendations. Frankly, it can get quite overwhelming; but fret no more.

In this blog post, we have shared some of the most popular methods of cleaning dirty mountain bike chains at home and we will also reveal some of the many benefits you can enjoy by doing so. 

So, without further ado, let us get started!

Why It’s Important to Clean Your Mountain Bike Chain?

Ensures optimal performance and longevity – Your mountain bike’s chain and drivetrain are equivalent to the transmission of a car. They convey all the needed engine power from your feet to the bike’s wheels. If you have been mountain biking for a while, then you would know that the chain easily picks up a lot of dirt, grime, and gunk in the process. This affects both the lifetime as well as the performance of your bike. Therefore, frequent cleans are highly recommended to ensure both. 

Prevents wear and tear – If the bike chain is not frequently cleaned or maintained, dirt will continue to accumulate on the chain and eventually work its way into all of the tiny gaps and crevices. This will subsequently elevate friction between the chain links. Increased chain-link friction will slow you down and accelerate the overall wear and tear of your bike’s chain. Hence, if you do not want that to happen, be sure to clean the chain every now and then.

Prevents chain stretch – We are certain you must have heard the word “chain stretch” at least once in your biking lifetime. Chain stretch does not refer to the literal stretching of the bike chain; rather, it occurs when chain components break down due to wear and tear, forcing it to elongate. How do you prevent that? Frequent chain cleaning! 

Ensures chain links move smoothly – In addition to the above-shared benefits, regular cleaning of the bike chain also ensures that the chain links move smoothly through the cogs and derailleur. They further enhance your ability to efficiently convey power from the pedals to the wheels. Moreover, please note that when a dirty chain passes through these components, in the process, it also deposits the gunk on them. Hence, further deteriorating the overall health of your bike chain. 

Ensures smooth-shifting – Last but not least, a dirty mountain bike chain is not going to make for smooth shifting and, again, depriving you of efficiency during a ride.

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How to Clean A Mountain Bike Chain? 

Cleaning your mountain bike chain at home is an amalgamation of both science and art. As expressed earlier at the beginning of this article, while there is no limit to the range of methods that can be used for the process, we’ll be covering three easy approaches that can easily be performed at home.

Before you begin:

We recommend you do some basic groundwork before initiating any of these cleaning methods to make sure you do not ruin anything during the process (e.g., your flooring). Due to this, conducting the cleaning outside or in a garage is always preferred. If that isn’t a possibility for you, don’t worry. Simply lay down a drop cloth to prevent the floor from getting dirty.

As you read this post, we’ll assume that this is your first shot at cleaning your mountain bike chain and so you may not have the appropriate cleaning supplies. Please note that general use products can work too, but bike-specific cleaning supplies are designed specifically for bike care, plus they cost about the same. Hence, if possible, try to use the right supplies for the job.

Read 9 Best Mountain Bikes for the Money

3 Easy Ways to Clean A Mountain Bike Chain at Home 

Method 1: The Basic Clean

Estimate cleaning time: 5 minutes

Things you’ll need:

• One clean rag or cloth
• Chain lube

Steps to Follow: 

1. While backpedaling slowly, apply a drop of lube to each roller (link) of the bike chain. Keep doing the same until the entire chain has been glazed with lube.
2. Let the lube sit on the bike chain for a couple of minutes so that it works its way into the tiny crevices and gaps of every chain link.
3. Next, fold a clean rag or cloth in half a number of times to make up a nice cushion. 
4. Next, hold the cloth cushion against the bike chain and begin backpedaling slowly.
5. Continue cycling the chain for multiple rotations, and then alter the angle from which the cushion is pressing into your bike chain. 
6. Repeat the process till all dirt and gunk has been smeared off from all sides of your bike chain. 
7. Lastly, with the same cloth, remove any excess lube from the chain.

It is best to perform this basic cleaning method a night before you plan on riding the mountain bike. Doing this will provide the lube with sufficient time to set up. But, in case you are in a rush, just do your best to remove any excess lube from the chain before hitting the trail.

In addition, the basic clean method can be used on a regular basis to prevent dirt and grime from accumulating. 

Method 2: The Enhanced Clean

Estimate cleaning time: 20 minutes

Things you’ll need:

• One clean rag or cloth
• Chain lube
• Disposable gloves (optional but recommended)
• Bucket of water or a hose
• Soap
• Chain degreaser 
• Two firm brushes (old toothbrushes will work too)

Steps to Follow:

1. If your mountain bike is not that dirty as a whole and it’s really just the bike chain that needs some care, then skip directly to the second step of this chain cleaning method. Otherwise, start by cleaning the worst mud and grit off your mountain bike before moving to the chain. To get the job done, use a firm brush, hose, and soap. It’s important to keep this point in mind because you will be just wasting time if gunk and dirt from the bike fall right back on the clean bike chain. 
2. Once your mountain bike is squeaky clean, we recommend you put on gloves in order to safeguard your hands.
3. Start by putting degreaser on a firm brush, and then with the same brush, apply the degreaser onto your bike chain.
4. Next, thrust the brush bristles against the chain and slowly backpedal it to cycle through the brush multiple times.
5. To knock off all accumulated gunk and grime from the bike chain, we highly recommend you press the brush into the chain from multiple angles. 
6. After a while, take some more degreaser onto the brush, and then spend a few more minutes scrubbing the derailleur, chainrings, and cassette to wipe off any build-up in these spots. Keep in mind that slowly backpedaling the chain whilst burnishing these parts will considerably help to speed up the entire cleaning process.
7. Next, use a clean brush, soap, and water to wash any residual degreaser from all of the parts. Make sure that the degreaser is completely wiped off before applying lube onto the chain.
8. Let the chain sit until completely dry, or if you are in a pinch, speed up the drying process by using dry rags or compressed air. 
9. While backpedaling slowly, apply a drop of lube to each roller (link) of the bike chain. Keep doing the same until the entire chain has been glazed with lube.
10. Let the lube sit on the bike chain for a couple of minutes so that it works its way into the tiny crevices and gaps of every chain link.
11. Lastly, remove any excess lube from the chain by cycling it multiple times with a clean, dry rag or cloth.

As you saw, the enhanced chain cleaning process is a bit more extensive due to the addition of an extra step, i.e., using a degreaser to remove any grit and gunk stuck onto the bike chain. But the good news is that enhanced cleaning is not necessary on a regular basis. Use this method when the chain of your mountain bike gets really dirty.

Note: It is extremely crucial to make sure that you remove every drop of the degreaser from your bike chain as well as other parts before applying lube onto them. Failing to do so will stop the chain lubricant from setting appropriately and extending optimal lubrication benefits.

Read How to Convert a Mountain Bike to a Road Bike

Method 3: The Deep Clean

Estimate cleaning time: 30 minutes

Things you’ll need:

• One clean rag or cloth
• Chain lube
• Disposable gloves (optional but recommended)
• Bucket of water or a hose
• Soap
• Chain degreaser 
• Two firm brushes (old toothbrushes will work too)
• Tub, bucket, or old water bottle (for soaking)

Steps to Follow:

1. The first step of the deep clean method is to detach the chain from your mountain bike.
2. Next, put the dirty chain into a soaking tub or bucket and add sufficient chain degreaser in order to coat the chain.
3. For optimal results, let the chain soak overnight.
4. The next morning, use a firm brush to scrape off any residual grime and dirt. For this step, we recommend you put on gloves to protect your hands.
5. Although it is not compulsory, it is surely recommended that you also brush the derailleur, chainrings, and cassette with a sodden degreaser brush in order to eliminate any build-up in these components.
6. Once done, rinse off your bike chain as well as any other parts cleaned with soapy water to clean residual degreaser.
7. Let the chain sit until completely dry, or if you are in a pinch, speed up the drying process by using dry rags or compressed air. 
8. Once it dries fully, carefully re-attach the chain to your mountain bike.
9. While backpedaling slowly, apply a drop of lube to each roller (link) of the bike chain. Keep doing the same until the entire chain has been glazed with lube.
10. Let the lube sit on the bike chain for a couple of minutes so that it works its way into the tiny crevices and gaps of every chain link.
11. Lastly, remove any excess lube from the chain by cycling it multiple times with a clean, dry rag or cloth.

As the deep clean approach requires chain removal and re-installation, this method demands the longest time out of the three. But you will be glad to know that the scrubbing effort is typically quite minimal due to the long degreaser drench. Finally, keep in mind that this cleaning method should be rarely needed, especially if you are already taking good care of your mountain bike.

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You Now Know How to Clean A Mountain Bike Chain!

It is important to keep in mind that the “getting-dirty” bit of the chains is an unavoidable part of the entire mountain biking experience – it will happen no matter how careful you are. But you can surely keep the dirt, gunk, and grime from building up and causing real damage by regularly chain cleaning.

Another thing you should keep in mind is lubrication. If you do not lube your mountain bike chain after cleaning, know that it would not work optimally. Therefore, remember to always lube after you are done cleaning!