chain cleaner device

billyhead · 22-07-2014 5:21pm #1

Does anyone use one of these and if so are they any good and could you recommend one to get or should I just stick with a rag cloth.

3102derek · 22-07-2014 5:23pm

Stick with a rag.
i have one, but it send gunk everywhere. useless yoke

Stevo1983 · 22-07-2014 5:24pm

I sellotape two old toothbrushes together and stick the chain between the bristles.
It eases my OCD a little

markusz · 22-07-2014 5:25pm

i use this and its very good:
parktool.com/product/chain-gang-cleaning-system-CG-2-2

give the chain a wipe afterwards with a cloth as well.
i do get citrus degreaser in the lbs which is better value.

240 Robert · 22-07-2014 5:27pm

Aldi or Lidl normally have a chain cleaning gadget for sale during the summer.

G1032 · 22-07-2014 6:13pm

Have a park tools one. Find it very useful.

Lumen · 22-07-2014 6:14pm

Pros use a paintbrush.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFb9s6B62lI

(and also a power washer, which is fair enough if the bearings only have to last 3 weeks)

Charlie69 · 22-07-2014 6:23pm

Also have the parktool version, find it very useful

billyhead · 22-07-2014 7:16pm

The only site on the web were I can find the Park tool cleaner is chainreaction and it seems fairly expensive i.e €37.49. Is there anywhere else cheaper to get it? Thanks for all the feedback so far:D

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/park-tool-chain-gang-cleaning-system-cg2-2/rp-prod109627

Raam · 22-07-2014 8:09pm

billyhead wrote: »

The only site on the web were I can find the Park tool cleaner is chainreaction and it seems fairly expensive i.e €37.49. Is there anywhere else cheaper to get it? Thanks for all the feedback so far:D

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/park-tool-chain-gang-cleaning-system-cg2-2/rp-prod109627

That includes a bottle of gunk and hook thinger.

Wishbone Ash · 22-07-2014 10:14pm

I prefer to remove the chain and clean it in diesel using a small brush.

torydiver · 22-07-2014 10:59pm

No loss on the aldi/lidl ones for a few quid,
Does a reasonable job,
Get your degreaser from an autofactor shop,
Much cheaper than bike shops.

donkey balls · 22-07-2014 11:12pm

I got one in the local Lidl shop think it was about 8/9e did a good job in cleaning the chain.

slow · 23-07-2014 10:23pm

The Park Tools one is the business. You'll never get your chain as clean using any other method.

stecleary · 23-07-2014 10:43pm

I use the muck off one, handy tool to have, just wipe it with a cloth after use, was the rest of the bike, an other wipe with the cloth and lube up again

ednwireland · 23-07-2014 10:55pm

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/park-tools-cm52-cyclone-chain-cleaner/ 24.70

http://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-tools-and-maintenance-nc/park-tool-cg-2-chain-gang-cleaning-system/10772166.html 28.29

had one for a few years until it finally broke much better the the lidl one (which is ok but just doesnt clean the chain as well)

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/park-tool-chain-scrubber-cm5-2/rp-prod8207 27.49 chain cleaner only

nomdeboardie · 23-07-2014 11:19pm

I got the Park Tools one and used it a few times but find my chain falls off every few revs of the cranks, so I've abandoned it

sham58107 · 23-07-2014 11:25pm

Used to have the muck off one but got a bit fiddly and quite expensive refills,now use brush and turps.

diomed · 23-07-2014 11:53pm

I have one of those "machines", but I now only use a clean rag, then oil the chain.

G1032 · 24-07-2014 5:10am

nomdeboardie wrote: »

I got the Park Tools one and used it a few times but find my chain falls off every few revs of the cranks, so I've abandoned it

Put the chain in the bottom cog of cassette. Make sure then that the chain is more or less parallel to ground. Also make sure you're not accidentally pulling the cleaning device towards you when spinning the chain (keep chain in a straight line)

ZiabR · 24-07-2014 8:06am

How often are you guys cleaning your chains and cassettes? I am in the process of installing new tyres onto the bikes so might take this opportunity clean up the chains etc.

Raam · 24-07-2014 8:16am

logik wrote: »

How often are you guys cleaning your chains and cassettes? I am in the process of installing new tyres onto the bikes so might take this opportunity clean up the chains etc.

Every week when I'm bothered. Otherwise when it starts to look dirty. Best to not wait till then cos it gets harder to clean.

ednwireland · 24-07-2014 8:19am

logik wrote: »

How often are you guys cleaning your chains and cassettes? I am in the process of installing new tyres onto the bikes so might take this opportunity clean up the chains etc.

road bike nearly after every ride

Commuter maybe twice a year (7 speed chain !)

ZiabR · 24-07-2014 8:35am

ednwireland wrote: »

road bike nearly after every ride

Commuter maybe twice a year (7 speed chain !)

You take the chain off and wash it after every ride? That not a bit extreme? You have to put it back on and then lube it up. Its a dirty job.

EDIT - Sorry, just realised you use the chain cleaner from chain reactions

G1032 · 24-07-2014 10:27am

I'll wipe with a rag after a long spin or maybe after 2 shorter ones. I'll clean with the park tools cleaner thingy every 2 - 3 weeks or so. All depends on how much I've been out. But when I use the cleaner I'll then clean the whole drive train.

jamesd · 24-07-2014 10:58am

I do mine after each wet spin, I use the lidl chain cleaner and some engine degreaser (jizer i think its called), then lube with Finishline Dry.
On the cassettle I use Fenwicks foaming degreaser and then wash it off after scrubbing with a tooth brush.

Lumen · 24-07-2014 12:40pm

I clean my drivetrain when the shifting gets worse or when it starts making unpleasant noises.

Iwernia · 25-07-2014 11:02am

white spirits & a toothbrush is your only man.

diomed · 25-07-2014 11:45am

logik wrote: »

How often are you guys cleaning your chains and cassettes? I am in the process of installing new tyres onto the bikes so might take this opportunity clean up the chains etc.

I wipe down the chain with a clean cotton rag before a ride, then oil the chain. If I come back for a rainy ride I would wipe the chain then, but also do the "wipe chain clean, oil chain" routine before the next ride.
Sometimes I would use an old toothbrush and water. You have to use judgement. In gardening there is a saying that the eyes are the best gardening tool.
I read about the "wipe with a clean rag, then oil" method in my big Campagnolo book (I have Shimano).

dermur · 25-07-2014 12:28pm

I used to be sceptical about those chain cleaners but I got a cheap one from Lidl last year to try and have to admit it does the job nicely. I just fill up the reservoir with normal washing up liquid give it a few spins, quick rinse, repeat and apply oil/dry lube with a brush to the link pins/rollers.

Using a brush can be a pain in the sphincter but it's offset by how quick the chain cleaner is. Plus whats the point in getting oil all over the outer plates just so more crap can stick to your chain?

blobbie · 25-07-2014 12:51pm

Do people lube the inner circumference of the chain rather than the outer?

I think the theory here is that crap typically gets attached to a chain on the "outside" and lubing the inner reduces the collection of crap thrown up from the front tyre.

G1032 · 25-07-2014 2:21pm

blobbie wrote: »

Do people lube the inner circumference of the chain rather than the outer?

I think the theory here is that crap typically gets attached to a chain on the "outside" and lubing the inner reduces the collection of crap thrown up from the front tyre.

Ya. Inner.

nomdeboardie · 26-07-2014 12:52pm

G1032 wrote: »

Put the chain in the bottom cog of cassette. Make sure then that the chain is more or less parallel to ground. Also make sure you're not accidentally pulling the cleaning device towards you when spinning the chain (keep chain in a straight line)

Thanks - I probably did the first, but may not have paid attention to the second, or have been aware of the third. I'll probably give the device another go

("You have one more chance...one more chance, infernal machine"

)

Unknown Soldier · 27-07-2014 8:47pm

logik wrote: »

How often are you guys cleaning your chains and cassettes? I am in the process of installing new tyres onto the bikes so might take this opportunity clean up the chains etc.

Once a week.

Occasionally I let it go for two weeks just to experience the difference between a clean chain etc and a dirty one. The difference is to be experienced. You gain a gear or two tbh.

I use the Park Tool as it was the only one you can get spare parts for. I've used a Lidl one too and it was fine.

chain cleaner device

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