On Sat, 13 Mar 2004 16:25:32 +1100, Jack Russell
<
[email protected]> may have said:
>>If you have an SRAM chain, I'd advise against using it on that part
>>because it will strip the factory-installed Gleitmo lubricant from
>>inside the links. (The same caution applies to solvents, and other
>>harsh detergents and degreasing agents.)
>>
>>
>So how do you clean SRAM chains, I have been doing mine in petrol and
>have not noticed any problems but ....
Several months back, one of the regulars on rec.bicycles.tech did a
running test comparison of cleaning regimens for chains, and the
rather surprising result seemed to indicate that solvent cleaning of
an SRAM chain was a bad idea. SRAM advises just using a brush to get
the external crud off, and then applying oil. They use a rather
costly and apparently quite persistent lubricant during assembly, and
they advise against the use of degrasing cleaners on their chain.
Given the results of the (admittedly not extensive) test that was run,
it appears that the Gleitmo lube is best left in place; the chain from
which it was stripped wore *faster* than the one that was just lubed
as per their instructions. I concluded that they really aren't
kidding when they say to just brush it and re-lube. Once the Gleitmo
has been removed, though, there is no longer any reason not to use
solvent cleaning methods for subsequent maintenance.
I checked on the price of the Gleitmo lube. It runs about $24 for a
400 ml can. That's comparable to the costliest boutique chain lubes,
and would probably be worth it if it was not for the fact that it has
to be bought by the case...of 12 cans.
Until that surprising test, I'd been solvent-washing all of my chains.
I still do, for the ones that either are not SRAM or which have
already been stripped by a prior degreasing or solvent cleaning...but
I've decided that any new SRAMS I install going forward will be
cleaned as per the SRAM spec.
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