Bike Chain and Cassette : The Basics of Drivetrain Maintenance

Step One : Keep Everything Clean

Keeping your bike chain clean as clean as possible is one of the quickest and easiest things you can do for your bike. We suggest : 

• Wiping down your bike chain after every ride 
• Thoroughly cleaning out your bike chain once a per week (or every 300-500km) 

We recommend gentle soap for regular use and a specific degreaser for bigger jobs; check out our full selection here. Remember that a clean bike is a fast bike!

Step Two : Lubricate your Bike Chain

Chain lubrication is essential to a proper functioning and quiet drivetrain. Choose the right lubricant for the type of riding you will be doing. Check out our full selection of lubricants.

• Wet lubricant for rainy, muddy, or dirty conditions
• Dry lubricant for regular, dry or dusty conditions

To apply, run a thin film of lubricant accross the entire length of the chain. Spin your drivetrain and go up and down the cassette to redistribute the lubricant evenly. Then, wipe down any excess liquid, as leaving too much exposed lubricant will attract dust and grime and make your life harder when it comes time for a deep clean. 

Step Three : Monitor bike chain wear

It's a good idea to keep a close eye on chain wear. An old or worn out chain can not only hinder your drivetrain's performance, but damage your precious components as well. 

Check out a few of our favorite chain measuring devices here. 

Step Four : Clean your cassette

With time, dust and grime can build up on your cassette, which will make it more difficult to clean your chain.

You can easily clean out your cassette by removing the rear wheel and brushing it down with degreaser and a cassette brush such as this one.