Fifty Plus (50+) - Chain cleaners

I'm taking my Roobay into the LBS today for its 200 mile checkup to tighten all the cables and such. I'm thinking of buying a chain cleaner device. I've never tried one but I've seen one that sort of clamps over the chain while you rotate the pedals. Is this thing worth it? It's about $25 if memory serves.

I don't like the cleaners. To me they are messy. Check out Rock N Roll. Easy to use, fast and IMHO does anexcellent job--especially touring.

I think it was originally developed for mountain bikers.

I don't like the cleaners. To me they are messy. Check out Rock N Roll. Easy to use, fast and IMHO does anexcellent job--especially touring.

I think it was originally developed for mountain bikers.

Maybe for Mountain bikers but if you want to clean a chain- this is the easiest way to do it- Even on a Roobaix. Problem is that it is messy to use. And Unless you have a good sized area outside to wash the chain and then wash the bike and then lube up- There might be easier alternatives.

When I got the chain and cassette replaced on my GF, it was recommended that I just hold to chain in an old teeshirt and spin it on through. Do this before every ride.

When I got the chain and cassette replaced on my GF, it was recommended that I just hold to chain in an old teeshirt and spin it on through. Do this before every ride.
Why do I always read GF and think "girlfriend"?

What kind of girlfriend comes with a chain and cassette? :D

Why do I always read GF and think "girlfriend"?

What kind of girlfriend comes with a chain and cassette? :D

The kind you can ride anytime you like for as long as you like and that never complains.

Get a small rug 3 X 5 cheap, preferably with a backing. It will serve as an excellent work mat under the bike while cleaning and relubing the chain.

Let the chain dry (in the sun if possible for quickness, overnight elsewise) before relubing.

Be careful if wiping the chain with a rag not to drive gritty dirt or lint down into the links.



For anyone with a removable link chain, here is a free chain cleaner.
1. Remove chain from bike.
2. Place in clean plastic soda bottle. (24 oz pepsi bottle is good size)
3. Insert cleaning solution of choice. (simple green or citrus cleaner diluted with water)
4. Shake hard. (I hope you still have the cap to the bottle)
5. Pour dirty cleaner out.
6. If step 5 still dirty then repeat.
7. Cut bottle open to remove chain
8. Rinse clean with water
9. Dry overnight
10 Reinstall and relube.

Wait.....hold your GF down with a chain and run a wet t-shirt.......What?

Maybe for Mountain bikers but if you want to clean a chain- this is the easiest way to do it- Even on a Roobaix. Problem is that it is messy to use. And Unless you have a good sized area outside to wash the chain and then wash the bike and then lube up- There might be easier alternatives.

Have you tried the Rock N Roll product? I've used it about 5 yrs & think my chains are clean. Granted, I could take the chain off, soak it, dry it and then relube it; however, I haven't noticed my chains having a shorter life span since I've been using this product, and I save a WORLD of time.;) I live by the KISS theory.

check it out.
http://www.rocklube.com/

Seriously, Park has a hand held cleaner that works quite well without removing the chain. Just need a large towel undneath is all.

For me on my Clyde Bike I am using the SRAM Chain with the gold power link so I can take it off and clean it off the bike. I like the idea of that and most of the other Techs at the shop use em and love em. Knowing my luck, I'll bust it up or have some horid experience with it.

Chris

Agreed on the "GF" thing... I will never use that again.
I didn't get to finish my thought earlier... was summoned by The Man.

Anyway, the LBS told me that the only place the lube is needed -wanted- is between the rollers.
The rest is just a dirt magnet... and trouble.

So, he said, over time, when all the excess luve is wiped off, the chain will get shinier and shinier.
This is what you want.

Well, I'm back from the LBS and the 200 mile tune-up. They didn't do it -- they checked it and said, "This bike hasn't worn enough to merit tightening anything up. Go ride another 2-300 miles and bring it back then."

I think that's actually a compliment to the bike and the components. My first new bike, the Trek 3900, need a LOT of adjusting after just 100 miles.

So while I'm there, I notice a few more Rooooooobaaaaaaaays on the sales floor. Uh oh! They've marked them on sale!!! I bought mine just two weeks ago!!!

The manager, when told of this situation, gave me a $125 (plus tax) refund (that's how much difference between my price and the sales price) on the spot. Now THAT made me feel really good!

So while I'm there, I notice a few more Rooooooobaaaaaaaays on the sales floor. Uh oh! They've marked them on sale!!! I bought mine just two weeks ago!!!

The manager, when told of this situation, gave me a $125 (plus tax) refund (that's how much difference between my price and the sales price) on the spot. Now THAT made me feel really good!

Nice.....sounds like a good LBS.

Why do I always read GF and think "girlfriend"?

What kind of girlfriend comes with a chain and cassette? :D
You could run your chain through an old pair of gf's panties, then.

If you are looking for a cheap chain cleaner, Performance has a combo set, with chain cleaner, degreaser liquid, and a cog brush, all for just $14.99.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=16638&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=4204&CFID=5289751&CFTOKEN=37946754

Then if you use the BF 10% off coupon, it's only $13.49 for the whole thing, plus shipping.

I've had pretty good luck using the Park chain cleaner tool, with Simple Green (50:50 with water).

Note: do NOT use a product called "Greased Lightning". It's a citrus-based cleaner, like Simple Green, but it also contains phosphoric acid, which will screw up the finish on metal parts (ask me how I know this...:mad:).

I'm taking my Roobay into the LBS today for its 200 mile checkup to tighten all the cables and such. I'm thinking of buying a chain cleaner device. I've never tried one but I've seen one that sort of clamps over the chain while you rotate the pedals. Is this thing worth it? It's about $25 if memory serves.
We,ve all seen this play out before with your last bike.That High Zoot LBS is going to play you like a fiddle,sell you $300 worth of must have bobbles to ride in San Diego road bike fashion show.
No one wants to see a 50+ guy riding around in $130, white+pink, Pearl Izumi spandex,with matching shoes.

Keep safe this holiday home slice

Chain cleaners use water based degreasers, many of which are acidic. Both are the wrong thing for your chain. Use a shop towel (costco) and some Brake Klean. Moisten a small spot on the towel once and do the chain. Then do the chain some more with just the dry towel. Use Ream 'n' Clean pipe cleaners to get between the rollers. Once around with one pipe cleaner is enough. Wipe again with dry towel. Use as little lube as you can get away with.

Do this regularly and you won't have any problems. The only possible problems come from letting it get too dirty in the first place. BTW, This should only take 10 minutes. Oh yeah, floss the cassette with the edge of the towel wetted with brake klean too. bk

The best time to start using a new cleaning regimen is on a brand new bike. You bought a nice one, spend the time it takes to keep it nice.

I used the Park cleaner years ago. It worked, but always made a big mess on my rear wheel and tire. I just use ProLink lube and wipe off the excess. When a chain get really messy, like after a rainy day ride, I take it off and clean it in a soda bottle with Simple Green or similar degreaser. SRAM power links work well on Shimano chains, too. Just use a chain breaker to remove a link and replace it with the Power Link for tool free chain removal and reattachment.

Ream and Clean?Thats the local property tax bureau in northern Ohio.

I used the Park cleaner years ago. It worked, but always made a big mess on my rear wheel and tire. I just use ProLink lube and wipe off the excess. When a chain get really messy, like after a rainy day ride, I take it off and clean it in a soda bottle with Simple Green or similar degreaser. SRAM power links work well on Shimano chains, too. Just use a chain breaker to remove a link and replace it with the Power Link for tool free chain removal and reattachment.

+ 1 I have to add

Kerosene,always works,dry with rag,chain lube or wd-40.

When my chain gets dirty, I usually just buy a new bike.

Well, I'm back from the LBS and the 200 mile tune-up. They didn't do it -- they checked it and said, "This bike hasn't worn enough to merit tightening anything up. Go ride another 2-300 miles and bring it back then."

I think that's actually a compliment to the bike and the components. My first new bike, the Trek 3900, need a LOT of adjusting after just 100 miles.

So while I'm there, I notice a few more Rooooooobaaaaaaaays on the sales floor. Uh oh! They've marked them on sale!!! I bought mine just two weeks ago!!!

The manager, when told of this situation, gave me a $125 (plus tax) refund (that's how much difference between my price and the sales price) on the spot. Now THAT made me feel really good!

Excellent...that should just about cover the cost of your new clipless pedals.

Do you have a new favorite LBS?

Do you have a new favorite LBS?
I'm torn between two lovers, as the song goes... :D

Now about those chain cleaners. I own three. One is Pedro's Cleaner, in which I pour Simple Green. It's messy, a bear to use, and I've almost severed a finger on a few occasions trying to get it to work. It cleans the chain really well.

I also have one of those White Lightning Chain Cleaners, the type that you squirt cleaner into the chamber while you are using it. The tubing always comes loose and I've inadvertantly injected White Lightling Cleaner up my nose. I acted normal before this happened.

I have a Park Chain cleaner but I never use it.

My LBS'er tells me to clean the chains every now and then, then apply Dumonde Tech and allow to dry overnight. Between cleanings, he says to wipe the chain down with a cloth rag, or at most use a little soap and water but nothing stronger.

It seems to work OK.

I'm torn between two lovers, as the song goes... :D

I can see why. The new guys are giving you remarkable service. Must have gotten the scoop that you're a big spender.

I can see why. The new guys are giving you remarkable service. Must have gotten the scoop that you're a big spender.

Perhaps they heard me talking about shaving my legs... :D

My LBS'er tells me to clean the chains every now and then, then apply Dumonde Tech and allow to dry overnight.

I went to Chainring State College in Wheeling West Virginia. Every year we'd play Dumonde Tech in football. And every year, they'd hose us, wipe us up and hang us out to dry. The humiliation soaked right through to our roller pins.

I went to Chainring State College in Wheeling West Virginia. Every year we'd play Dumonde Tech in football. And every year, they'd hose us, wipe us up and hang us out to dry. The humiliation soaked right through to our roller pins.
:roflmao:

So while I'm there, I notice a few more Rooooooobaaaaaaaays on the sales floor. Uh oh! They've marked them on sale!!! I bought mine just two weeks ago!!!

The manager, when told of this situation, gave me a $125 (plus tax) refund (that's how much difference between my price and the sales price) on the spot. Now THAT made me feel really good!

This is the answer to your "How do I tell my LBS" post!

For me on my Clyde Bike I am using the SRAM Chain with the gold power link so I can take it off and clean it off the bike. I like the idea of that and most of the other Techs at the shop use em and love em. Knowing my luck, I'll bust it up or have some horid experience with it.

Chris
+1. YUP thats what I do. But my link is silver not gold. I wonder if that makes a difference :eek: .

When I refurbish a bike I spray the chain with degrease soap and wash it off. I then remove the chain and soak it with WD40 equivalent. Several minutes wiping it down gets rid of most of the old grease and grit. I then repeat with a soaking of chain oil and wipe down. Once on the bike I put a light coat of chain oil, then wipe the surface dry a few minutes later. The results are amazing.

+1. YUP thats what I do. But my link is silver not gold. I wonder if that makes a difference :eek: .

Silver is for 5-8 speed. Gold is for 9 speed.

I used the Park cleaner years ago. It worked, but always made a big mess on my rear wheel and tire. I just use ProLink lube and wipe off the excess. When a chain get really messy, like after a rainy day ride, I take it off and clean it in a soda bottle with Simple Green or similar degreaser. SRAM power links work well on Shimano chains, too. Just use a chain breaker to remove a link and replace it with the Power Link for tool free chain removal and reattachment.
What's a chain breaker (is that an actual tool or slang for something else?) and what's a Power Link? Is it possible my chain came with removable link or is that a really dumb question?

What's a chain breaker (is that an actual tool or slang for something else?) and what's a Power Link? Is it possible my chain came with removable link or is that a really dumb question?

More commonly called a chain tool. Used to push the roller pins out of a chain, allowing the links to be separated (broken).
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/chaintool.jpg

SRAM makes a link that be installed and removed without tools and can be reused. They say it only works with their chains, but people use them on other chains all the time with good results. KMC and Wipperman also make similar links.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/powerlink.jpg

You guys really don't know the pleasures of an always clean chain. Perfect shifting all the time, and the cleaning is easy. Mostly because it never gets dirty enough to be hard to clean. I AM APALLED at some of the posts I'm reading here. bk

You guys really don't know the pleasures of an always clean chain. Perfect shifting all the time, and the cleaning is easy. Mostly because it never gets dirty enough to be hard to clean. I AM APALLED at some of the posts I'm reading here. bk

poor you :p

Gary gets hives when he touches tools. In order to save the roubaix, we need to come up with a system that does not use any tools. I tried, but nobody was listening. bk

I've inadvertantly injected White Lightling Cleaner up my nose. I acted normal before this happened.


:roflmao: :roflmao: :beer:

I went to Chainring State College in Wheeling West Virginia. Every year we'd play Dumonde Tech in football. And every year, they'd hose us, wipe us up and hang us out to dry. The humiliation soaked right through to our roller pins.

I remember their cheer, it echoes through my bones like the screeching of a million fingernails on a thousand blackboards:

Scream like hell for Dumonde Tech
Kick 'em bite 'em wring their neck
We can't lose so what the heck
Put your bets on Dumonde Tech

If you are looking for a cheap chain cleaner, Performance has a combo set, with chain cleaner, degreaser liquid, and a cog brush, all for just $14.99.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=16638&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=4204&CFID=5289751&CFTOKEN=37946754

Then if you use the BF 10% off coupon, it's only $13.49 for the whole thing, plus shipping.

Yes I did think also the $25 price for a chain cleaner device was real high. They all work about the same and I have not experienced the mess. Usually just hold a rag around the chain where it exits the cleaner device. They get off road dirt but there is nothing like a real good take off the chain, soak in appropriate cleaner method. Clean the cassette at the same time.

I've inadvertantly injected White Lightling Cleaner up my nose. I acted normal before this happened.

I'm not buying that it was "inadvertant."

I've tried the Spin Doctor chain cleaners from Performance, the Pedro's chain cleaner, and I'm on my second Finish Line chain cleaner. The Finish Line does the best job. I use Simple Green in the chain cleaner, and after cleaning the chain I do the rest of the bike with "gentle" detergent.
If you're going to take the chain off and put it on, it's better to get the SRAM link.

I've got one of those park tools cyclone chain cleaners...just be sure to really let the chain dry really good if you use a citrus degreaser on it. If you don't...the residual degreaser will eat the new lube when you apply it.

More commonly called a chain tool. Used to push the roller pins out of a chain, allowing the links to be separated (broken).
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/chaintool.jpg

SRAM makes a link that be installed and removed without tools and can be reused. They say it only works with their chains, but people use them on other chains all the time with good results. KMC and Wipperman also make similar links.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/powerlink.jpg

The tool would be dangerous in gary's hands. The link might be ok with sufficient training and practice.

Gary you'll have to get SRAM chains so you can take this apart. There is a tool that makes it easier. Can you pick a hot dog off the grill with tongs? If so there is hope.

The tool would be dangerous in gary's hands. The link might be ok with sufficient training and practice.

Gary you'll have to get SRAM chains so you can take this apart. There is a tool that makes it easier. Can you pick a hot dog off the grill with tongs? If so there is hope.

Yeah, he asked the question, but the answer is probably more useful to others. If you buy a SRAM, Wipperman or KMC chain, it will come with a connector of this type. But someone will need to use a chain tool to get the original ShimaNO chain off if that is what is on your bike now.
The tool free links are great, but they can be a little tricky to use if you are not good with mechanical things.

The new Park link remover pliers work great. Squeeze chain with plyers, squeeze link plates in with other hand. Done.

And you don't get as dirty.

But your right, you still need a chain tool even to set the length on a new chain.