Bicycle Mechanics - Quick question about snap on chain cleaners

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_124600_-1___

If you have something like this (which I'm considering getting) - does the degreaser on the chain as it passes through and wets the chain damage the rear wheel at all. I'm trying to visualize the degreaser on the chain stripping something important away on the rear wheel. Is my concern at all valid? Thanks. . .

De-greaser removes grease. That's all. Well, and adhesives, so stickers will slough off too.

Ideally there shouldn't be any spillage, but of course there will be. I don't use these devices, but always shift the chain all the way to the outside and I'm careful to keep the bike very vertical when oiling my chain. That way any drips won't hit the wheel.

If you're still concerned, you might slide a large sheet of corrugated cardboard up between the wheel and chain, tucking it up behind the cassette. It'll act as a bib totally protecting the wheel from any spatter, and saving you time cleaning it back uo.

In any case a bit of splatter won't hurt anything as long as you don't leave it on forever.

I probably wasn't clear. Wasn't talking about 'mess' or spillage, but rather I was concerned that the degreaser would somehow ruin bearings in the rear wheel or cassette.

Thanks

I probably wasn't clear. Wasn't talking about 'mess' or spillage, but rather I was concerned that the degreaser would somehow ruin bearings in the rear wheel or cassette.

Thanks

The cassette only needs lube on the contact points with the chain, which it should get from the chain. Should be an issue with the bearings, especially if one keeps up with regular maintenance.

Chain cleaning won't affect the hub in any way, unless you spill tons of cleaner all over. The hub and freehub bearings are well insulated from the chain.

Just take it off and clean it.

Just take it off and clean it.

+1.

Use Prolink correctly and you wont need any such device, nor will your chain need to be "degreased".

Dribble some over the cassette as the chain passes through while pedaling backwards. Pump up you tires (you were going to do that anyway, right?) then grab a rag and while squeezing the bottom section of chain, pedal backwards again. You get a clean, relatively dry chain, and you didn't make a mess, nor spend your money on frivolous contraptions.

^^^ +1, although our favorite is Rock N' Roll Gold. Same affect, though.

"Those snap on chain cleaning contraptions are the biggest scam perpetuated on the American public since One Hour Martinizing." Cosmo Kramer

Use Prolink correctly and you wont need any such device, nor will your chain need to be "degreased".

Dribble some over the cassette as the chain passes through while pedaling backwards. Pump up you tires (you were going to do that anyway, right?) then grab a rag and while squeezing the bottom section of chain, pedal backwards again. You get a clean, relatively dry chain, and you didn't make a mess, nor spend your money on frivolous contraptions.

+1

I purchased a Park Tool kit (the AK-37 to be exact) that came with their version of the chain cleaner. I have never used it: I always found it easier to remove the chain and clean it in solvent or replace the chain altogether, they aren't [I]that[I] expensive.

In response to your question though, unless you use an inordinate amount of degreaser and spill it all over the rear hub area, I would not worry about it hurting anything. Good luck!

Cheers
lverhagen

I can recommend the Park Cyclone CM-5. It works very well and the mess is minimum. I can also recommend the similar Finishline product for the same reasons. I use the Park tool about every 800 miles with mineral spirits as the solvent. Between the machine cleanings I use a home brew of 20 to 25% Mobil One and 75 to 80% mineral spirits, 1 or 2 drops on each link with all excess wiped off with a rag or paper towel. I always get 5000 or more miles out of a 9-speed D-A or 10-speed Record chain. I've never worn out a cassette cog. The only time I remove a chain is to replace it.
As for ProLink I gave up on it because it caused all of my chains to have a slight buzzing noise.

Just take it off and clean it.

+2.
Just take it off and give it a good scrubb'in.