How to clean the rear cassette of your bike?
Kal Kozomos
9 December 2020
The bicycle cassette is attached to the rear wheel and consists of different sprockets on which the chain rests. It allows you to change the chain transmission ratio, more commonly called gears. The cassette is exposed to weather, mud, dust and oil. It gets dirty over time and it becomes difficult to clean it just by cleaning its chain without disassembly. This is why we advise you to disassemble your cassette from time to time in order to be able to clean the pinions completely. Discover today the 5 key steps to clean your bike cassette like a pro!
Things you will need
Flat key
Cassette extractor kit consisting of a cassette extractor and a chain whisk
Adjustable spanner
Basin + water
Brush
Microfiber cloths
Step 1
REMOVE THE REAR WHEEL FROM THE BIKE
In order to thoroughly clean your bicycle cassette, you must first disassemble the rear wheel of the bicycle and then remove the cassette from its location. Put the chain on the smaller chainring and the smaller sprocket. Squeeze the brake shoes at the cable, then remove the detent cable then allow the pads to move away (if you have disc brakes just remove the caliper) Open the quick release knobs or unscrew the nuts that lock the axle with a suitable open-ended wrench. Finally, hold the derailleur back, remove the wheel axle by pulling it to one side or the other, then remove the wheel.
Step 2
REMOVE THE CASSETTE FROM THE REAR WHEEL
The second step before cleaning the bicycle cassette is to disassemble the cassette itself from its location. First, install the cassette extractor on the nut provided for this purpose. Then, install the chain whip in order to block the rotation of the cassette when removing the lock nut. Then place an adjustable wrench on the cassette extractor and loosen the lock nut by turning it counterclockwise. Remove the adjustable wrench and finish unscrewing the lock nut by hand. You can store the chain whip. Once the locknut has been unscrewed, remove the cassette extractor. Finally, remove the various elements from the cassette.
Step 3
CLEAN YOUR BICYCLE CASSETTE
You can now proceed to cleaning the bicycle cassette. First, wet the elements of the cassette, either by immersing them in a basin of water or by passing them under water. You can then remove the first layer of dirt. Then spray each sprocket with WD-40 BIKE Cleaner . Leave the product on and scrub with a brush to remove all the grime. If necessary, you can use WD-40 BIKE Degreaser which will easily remove stubborn stains. Finally, rinse each sprocket with water and dry them thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.
Step 4
REPLACE THE CASSETTE ON TO THE WHEEL
After cleaning the cassette of your bicycle, you will be able to reassemble it in its location. Align the small notch of the cassette with that of the freewheel body. Then replace the locknut and tighten with the adjustable wrench in a clockwise direction.
Step 5
REMOUNT THE REAR WHEEL ON YOUR BIKE
Pull the derailleur back and put the chain on the smallest sprocket and put the wheel on the fork. Slowly release the derailleur and make sure the wheel is aligned in its axle. Tighten the nuts that hold it. Then tighten the pads or place the caliper on the discs (if you have disc brakes). Finally test that the brakes are operational. The brake pads should not touch the wheel.
A BICYCLE CASSETTE LIKE NEW!
And here is the result, a cassette as beautiful as new.
After having thoroughly cleaned your bicycle cassette, remember to clean the chain and lubricate it again with a suitable product such as one of our WD-40 BIKE Chain Lubricant.
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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