How to take care of mountain bike cassette?

Question

My 9 speed cassette is becoming black from silver.
It's mostly grease that is stuck in there.
Any ways to prevent or solve this problem?

I don't wish to remove the cassette from the hub.

Answer 1

It is best to take the cassette off the wheel to clean it so you don't get detergent or degreaser into your bearings. To take it off, you only need a chain whip and a cassette removal tool. These two pieces will set you back about $20.00 and will allow you to keep your cassette sparkling clean.

For instructions on how to remove the cassette, check out the Park Tool Repair pages:

http://parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=48

If you really, really don't want to remove the cassette, the best bet is to get a gear brush. Park Tool and Pedro's make good brushes. Here is what the Park Tool Brush looks like:

http://parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=4&item=GSC%2D1.

You can use the brush for getting most of the gunk off the derailleur and chain while the the toothed end slips between the cogs. Use a mild dishwashing detergent like Dawn to clean your cassette if you don't remove it from the wheel. Be sure and scrub your chain and derailleur jockey wheels clean while you are at it. Otherwise, gunk from the chain will soon crud up your cassette again.

A chain cleaner does a really nice job on the chain and is a lot easier and quicker than using a brush.

http://parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=5&item=CM%2D5

To avoid the mess in the future, you may want to consider a dry chain lubricant. Stuff that goes on wet and stays wet really attracts dirt. I've had good luck with Finish Line "Dry" on my mountain bike. "Dry" goes on wet, but evaporates so it doesn't attract a lot of dirt. It does need to be applied pretty regularly, though. I use Finish Line "Wax" on my road bike, but don't think it really stands up to the lubrication needs of mountain biking. (Plus, to use a wax lube, you need to degrease the chain entirely. If you ever slip up and put an oil lube on it, you've got to degrease again.)

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Get over your fear of disassembly. The best way is to take it off and clean it with an old toothbrush and degreaser.

Your hub bearings ought to be taken apart, cleaned, and repacked periodically anyway. Do it at the same time. Now would be good, while there's too much frikkin snow and ice on the roads to ride.

Answer 3

White spirit is best for de-greasing, followed by parafin. However, watch it near your bearings. Overall though, you can not beat a bucket full of hot water and car wax, a stiff brush and something to shove between the casset gears (I use a barbecue skewer.

Luck

Answer 4

use a fabric degreaser, is not as aggressive as other degreasers. spray it, let it work and then flush with water. you might have to rub it with a piece of old cloth, but it will shine like new.
carlos
http://www.bikingthings.com

Answer 5

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/ for all your bike repair needs.

Answer 6

hi , thanks