One: degrease
A drivetrain-specific cleaner dissolves old lubricant and the grit held in it. A clip-on chain scrubber runs the chain through it with rotating brushes and does in two minutes what a brush in each hand does in fifteen.
Work the cassette and chainrings with a stiff narrow brush at the same time. A clean chain running on a dirty cassette is clean for about a kilometer.
Two: rinse and dry
Water, sparingly, and never at pressure into the bearings. Hubs, bottom brackets and headsets are sealed against splash, not against a jet.
Then dry properly. Lubricant does not displace water, and oil over a wet chain traps it against the metal.
Three: lubricate
One drop per roller. Turn the cranks backwards a few times to work it in. Then wipe the outside of the chain thoroughly — lubricant belongs inside the rollers, where the wear happens. Anything on the outer plates only collects dust.
The rule that protects your brakes
Degreaser and lubricant must not reach the rotors or pads. Turn the bike so the drivetrain faces away from the discs, or take the wheels out entirely.
An aerosol travels further than the nozzle suggests, and rotors sit a hand’s width from the chain.
Choosing the lubricant afterwards
Wet lube survives rain and collects dust. Dry lube sheds dust and washes off in rain. Owning both costs a few dollars and does more for chain life than any single premium bottle.
The five-minute version
If the choice is between a full wash once a month and a chain wipe every week, the chain wipe does more for the drivetrain. A cloth run along the chain removes most of the abrasive before it does its damage.
The questions riders ask
How often should I do this?
Whenever the chain has turned black and feels gritty between finger and thumb. In a wet winter that can be weekly; in dry summer riding it is much less often.
What must I keep away from the discs?
Everything: degreaser, chain lubricant and any penetrating spray. Contaminated pads are replaced rather than cleaned by most brake manufacturers' own instruction.
Last reviewed 30 August 2026
