Road Cycling - Chain Machine Cleaning Kit

Has anybody used one of those chain machine cleaning kits? Is this just junk (not wanting to be lazy) or do they actually work? If you are not sure what I am talking about go here:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=4709

Any info is appreciated.

Snowblower

I got one for $5 and it's ok ... I think the chain would be cleaner if I took the time and used a toothbrush. It won't be able to clean some of the grime in between the links, inner part of the chain. If your chain is cad plated, it'll leave it nice and shiny.

Yes, they work. I use mine just about every weekend. I have the park tool cleaning kit, but use the pedro's solvent and lube's.

I also use the Park Tool cleaning kit. It works a lot better than a rag and toothbrush. It comes with a cleaning brush that works pretty good. The cleaner that comes with it works OK, but I like using Simple Green instead. I can't believe all the crap it gets off the chain. I recommend it.

I use the Finish Line Cleaning kit. And I also use Simple Green, I found that it works just as well as any of the more expensive degreasers. I clean my chain every other ride. Definitely easier and more efficient then the rag and toothbrush, which was the first method that I used on my chain.

My friend gave me a Pedro's chain cleaning machine because he could not get it to work right. I can't get it to work right either. Follow the instructions and it will NOT work as promised if you have a Shimano rear derailleur. That's a drawback, don't you think? Mine does not appear to be the same model as the one you are considering, but I would not trust it. In fact, this little itemhas made me distrust Pedro's tools, in general.

Rich

I use a Pedros clean machine. Purchased at Performance. It works great for me. I generally clean once a week. Well worth the money, I think.

Those machines all do pretty much the same thing: give you a poorly cleaned chain, and a big mess on the floor. Pull the chain if you want to clean it properly.

Originally posted by Stinger9oh
Mine does not appear to be the same model as the one you are considering, but I would not trust it. In fact, this little item has made me distrust Pedro's tools, in general.

Rich

I'm not a fan of chain cleaning machines in general. I prefer to take the chain off the bike, soak it in orange degreaser, scrub it with a toothbrush, rinse it, dry it and hang it back on the bike and re-lube. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it sure does make a chain clean.

As for the quality of Pedro's tools, they have been very well reviewed. I own the Pedro's cable cutters. They are pretty basic: they don't crimp cable ends, for instance, but they do cut cable and housing like a hot knife through butter.

I also own the wrench pictured here. I picked it up at the Chicago Bike Show for $5.00. It has seen hard use and is holding up well.

I have the park chain cleaner. I also use the pedros solvent b/c it comes in a big bottle. This system work pretty well, but I often like to do a third cycle with just water to rinse, then I run the chain through a towel and air dry...then I lube. This systen works well for me. Especially since I can't find the stupid powerlink on my chain...I know its there somewhere :)

Those machines all do pretty much the same thing: give you a poorly cleaned chain, and a big mess on the floor.

The also spray gunk all over the bottomhalf of your bike...or am I just spinning the pedals too fast?

The least amount of work:

Buy two SRAM chains with powerlinks, and set them up for the bike.

Keep a jar of solvent (eg mineral spirits) on hand.

When chain #1 gets dirty take it off the bike and drop it in the jar and replace it with previously-cleaned chain #2. Lube as usual.

Clean chain by leaving it in the jar overnight and shaking the jar a couple of times. Then take the chain out and let it drip dry.

Hardly any work, no mess, and you always have a clean spare chain.

RichC

Originally posted by Rich Clark
The least amount of work:
When chain #1 gets dirty take it off the bike and drop it in the jar and replace it with previously-cleaned chain #2. Lube as usual.
Clean chain by leaving it in the jar overnight and shaking the jar a couple of times. Then take the chain out and let it drip dry.
RichC

Beat me too it, thats pretty much what I do. Only thing different is that I give it a pretty vigorous shake for a minute or two, then take it out and rinse/dry the chain.

I had one of those chain cleaners - but ugh, what a mess.

Any incremental loss of chain life just doesn't seem to be worth all the effort and mess that those machines make.

cheers

rg

I use a pedros chain cleaning kit. It does work on Shimano deraillers at least the way I use it.

I spray the chain with WD-40 to get the dirt and what not soluble and then run it through the chain cleaner containing degreaser. If the chain is still a bit dirty, I repeat. Doing this gets the chain pretty clean. I do this pretty frequently so the chain does not get too much grit on it. I have noticed that the chain last longer this way. I think most of the wear on a chain comes from the grit the chain picks up and the grit acts as an abrasive.

I do get a little degreaser on the rim, chain rings and what not doing this but it is easily washed off with water.