chain-cleaning devices...worth it?

i just bought one to see if they work, i've tried it once and it did the job quite well. Depends how much you want to pay for it i guess, a toothbrush can clean the chain and the rings...

- I have one of those plastic contraptions with the brush-wheels-inside.

- once I started using the plain nail brush/sponge with detergent , I stopped using the plastic-contraption.

- watch a video of how the mechanics work on cleaning the drivetrain of , say, the bikes on the Tour. They use brush/sponge/detergent/water.
.

pistole said:

- I have one of those plastic contraptions with the brush-wheels-inside.

- once I started using the plain nail brush/sponge with detergent , I stopped using the plastic-contraption.

- watch a video of how the mechanics work on cleaning the drivetrain of , say, the bikes on the Tour. They use brush/sponge/detergent/water.
.

Click to expand...

Do you have a link? I was literally just about to post this same thread. I'd like to know how to clean my chain, too

LeDomestique said:

So far, I'm keeping my 45$ and cleaning the chain with brushes....Well...I might go into Paris-Hilton-shopping-spree mode and get myself a new toothbrush to clean the chain. Ahhh...life's meant to be enjoyed.

cheers

Click to expand...

So a tooth brush and just a standard degreaser from the bike store or something cheaper (major mark up if it's made for bikes vs, say, cars)? How often do you scrub it down?

Try a compressor with a needle nozzle and just blow out the dirt.It works very well.

Without a doubt, I consider the chain-cleaning tools to be the best thing to come down the pike since...well...the Campy T-wrench!

It's quick, it's easy and it does a thorough job. I bought the Park tools brand for $25 (U.S.) and I'm very satisfied with it.

BTW, Simple Green detergent works just as well as the Park brand cleaning fluid and it costs less than half the price.

As always...YMMV.

Regards,
Campybob

jhuskey said:

Try a compressor with a needle nozzle and just blow out the dirt.It works very well.

Click to expand...

+1

I've used the chain-scrubbing gizmo a few times, and it's way too much work for the amount of actual "scrubbing" it does.

Whereas compressed air is the bees knees for cleaning your bike. I use canned air, but a shop compressor is even cooler.

Bob Ross said:

+1

I've used the chain-scrubbing gizmo a few times, and it's way too much work for the amount of actual "scrubbing" it does.

Whereas compressed air is the bees knees for cleaning your bike. I use canned air, but a shop compressor is even cooler.

Click to expand...

Being basically a lazy person I try and find the easiest quickest means and the air does work great.

I bought an ultrasonic cleaner on ebay for $60. You wouldn't believe the piles of crud left behind when you leave an MTB chain in there for an hour. It comes out CLEAN! Do a fresh relube (the cleaner strips off lubrication as well as dirt), and you're good to go.

LeDomestique said:

so far, I've been cleaning the chain the "traditional" way. I've seen lots of new (for me) devices to clean the chain (Pedros'; Park's; etc). Basically you put the chain on this plastic box and back pedal...well...I'm sure you've seen them.

So...are they worth the money?. Do they do a much better job than my old rag and degreaser? Do they wear out ?

thanks

cheers

Click to expand...

Definitely worth the money. Fill it with a bio-degradable degreaser. It will get the grit out of the links much better than a rag or hand held brush.
In the long run it saves your chain and cassette.

LeDomestique said:

so far, I've been cleaning the chain the "traditional" way. I've seen lots of new (for me) devices to clean the chain (Pedros'; Park's; etc). Basically you put the chain on this plastic box and back pedal...well...I'm sure you've seen them.

So...are they worth the money?. Do they do a much better job than my old rag and degreaser? Do they wear out ?

thanks

cheers

Click to expand...

I have been disappointed in to two different brands of such devices. I have gone to removable link chains and cleaning off of the bike.

for $35 I just buy a double ended Grunge Brush, and a Large bottle of degreaser, b/c you still need to clean the front,rear, and deraulier sprockets,

I've got the Park Tool chain cleaner and I love it, gets the chain much cleaner than scrubbing with brushes.

I have the SpinDoctor model, very similar to park tool's, $13 right now at performance bike. Love it.

Might not leave the chain any cleaner than a brush, but it hits all four sides at the same time, so its very fast and easy. It also contains the degreaser nicely-- very little mess.

Downside is that it works way better if you have the bike upright with the back wheel off the ground. Best choice is a workstand, but not really mandatory.

bcardamone said:

I've got the Park Tool chain cleaner and I love it, gets the chain much cleaner than scrubbing with brushes.

Click to expand...

I had the opposite experience. I dropped my Park cleaner and broke it, so I tried the brush method using citrus degreaser. My chain ended up cleaner in about the same amount of time (and using less degreaser).

Old t-shirt and lube once a week for me. Hold link in hands, wipe and repeat 120X. Keeping the dirt from accumulating in the first place has worked better for me than using a brush cleaner gizmo. Chain cleaners and degereaser a hellacious mess make.

I have a chain cleaner, but don't use it anymore. I changed my lube to Rock n Roll Absolute Dry, and wipe the chain after each ride. I find the chain stays just as clean.