Cleaning a dirty drivetrain

[Andrepaul]

I clean my dirty mountain bike drivetrain by squirting it with a hose and brushing it with simple green. Is this the best way? What other methods are recommended?

[p38lightning]

I like to take the chain off and put it in a jar of solvent, brush it, dry it with a rag and then let it dry overnight to get out the solvent. I use removable master links, I don't keep breaking the chain. While it's off I brush the cassette and chainrings with Simple Green and hose off. The big point about this is to not blast the hose on the wheel bearings or bottom bracket. I usually protect these areas with strips of wet cloth that I cover the axle and spindle points with and using the minimum water pressure possible. Be mindfull not to get water on the inside of the cassette or freewheel too. (the part nearest to the spokes on the far side of the largest cog)

In an email a Campagnolo rep said that water incursion into bearings was the most common source of problems with their products, not lack of service.