Clean and well-lubricated bicycle chains are essential to prolonging their lives and will stop annoying squeaks from making an impression in your drivetrain, while also protecting it from grinding into pavement and becoming dull over time.

Here’s how. Here is an easy task that most cyclists can complete at home: the bike service.

1. Clean the Chain

First step of properly cleaning and lubing any chain is removing dirt or grime that has collected on it by hand with a brush, toothbrush, or degreaser like Simple Green or WD-40 Bike Cleaner and Degreaser. Scrub each link of the chain on all four sides until everything has been scrubbed clean with brush or toothbrush.

Cleaning your chain could take several minutes depending on its condition, but the effort will certainly pay off as dirty, gritty chains can put undue wear and tear on both drivetrain components and crankshafts, increasing costs significantly over time.

After cleaning, apply a small amount of bike-specific lubricant. Drip lube works best as it coats each link evenly, but spray lube can work just as effectively if time is an issue. Next, backpedal the pedals to allow the lube to seep between rollers and pins on your chain; excess lube gives dirt something to hold onto; special dry paraffin wax-based lubricants may work better but require more frequent wiping due to lacking carrying agents which would evaporate with rain washout.

2. Apply Lubricant

Your chain connects the power from your legs to the wheels, and in doing so is under considerable strain. Therefore, to maintain efficiency, prolong its lifespan and avoid an unsightly squeak it must be thoroughly lubricated and cleaned regularly to maximize efficiency and minimise wear-and-tear.

If your chain is particularly dirty, start by cleaning it with degreaser spray or an isopropyl alcohol wipe before applying lube. Next, apply a small amount of your preferred lube inside of the chain – about one drop to each link – making sure it reaches between rollers and pins as well as between pins and rollers. Finally, turn pedals backward to allow it to penetrate all links in full.

Tri-Flow or 3-in-1 oil works well as an oil-based lube on most bikes; if riding on sandy or dusty terrain, however, a dry lube like Teflon or paraffin wax would be more appropriate as they won’t attract as much dirt than oil-based alternatives would.

Some riders opt to disassemble their chains and dunk it in hot paraffin wax or grease before wiping off excess. Although this takes extra time and effort, this approach offers superior lubrication compared to bottle chain lube or the regular grease found on most chains.

3. Let It Set

Lubrication should be given time to spread between pins and rollers before wiping off excess. You can do this by spinning the pedals for one minute to allow the oil to penetrate every link, before wiping off any left on the outside – leaving any left behind attracts dirt! Some cyclists also prefer special “dry” lubricants made with paraffin wax that must be applied sparingly after application in order to prevent over-lubrication (which could inhibit shifting).

Fixed gear (or “fixies”) bikes do not feature derailleurs; instead, there is a small metal tab where the chain passes when moving up and down on the cassette/crank set, and this must be cleaned to restore proper functioning of the chain. Clutter can accumulate around this tab, necessitating periodic cleaning prior to reassembling the chain.

To assess chain wear, draw the chain taut and align one of the rivets on the opposite side with one end of a ruler; if its zero-inch mark falls directly over that rivet, your chain is in excellent condition; otherwise it is extremely worn and should be replaced as soon as possible.

4. Wipe It Down

Your bike chain transfers power from your legs to the wheels, placing it under immense strain and is subject to dirt accumulation and build-up. Lubing it regularly can help extend its lifespan while also helping prevent annoying squeaks or rattles from developing in its drivetrain.

Maintaining a clean chain can be a cumbersome task, but doing it regularly and using the correct methods will bring immense rewards in terms of improved ride comfort. Grime can build up over time and cause irreparable damage; so the key lies in using regular methods to combat that accumulation.

Cleaning the chain quickly can be achieved by holding the rear wheel with a stand, or just leaning it against a wall. Apply a thin coating of lube, wipe all or sections individually using a rag, or use your cassette or freewheel remover and pass over each cog to loosen any dirt that might have collected there.

Some prefer washing their chain with brush and solvent or using an automatic gizmo that sprays solvent onto it for easier scrubbing, however these methods often only remove surface gunk but leave deep-seated dirt lingering within. A more effective approach would be the soaking/sponge method described above, or alternatively just gripping it using folded fabric saturated in soapy water and pulling through several times before moving on with washing process.