one4smoke

Any thoughts...

https://bikebling.club/chain-cleaner-us

DrIsotope

So good, they're giving them away for free!!

In my experience, there are no shortcuts. Those things just make a hella mess, and you'll go back to putting the chain in a jar of solvent.

JonathanGennick 

This has been my experience. If I still had mine, I'd give it away free too.

SquidPuppet

PITA, not convenient, cleanup is a hassle, storage hassle, etc.


My weapons of choice...

fietsbob

Paint can with a basket in it, to soak the chain in the Kerosene, and have the grit fall to the bottom thru the basket.

now quick links simplify the opening and re closing the chain loop.






...

ThermionicScott 

I saw a video years ago of one guy's homemade chain cleaner. It had several derailleur pulleys mounted in the bottom of a shallow tray filled with solvent, and there was either a hand crank or an electric motor to circulate the chain through the solvent. That seemed like a pretty slick way to articulate the chain and get all the internal gunk out without making a mess. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find the video since.

SylvainG

I bought one last year. It's junk. Used it once. The 'gears' inside get stuck (badly aligned) and it makes a real mess when that happens. Bought this one and it's much better (and bigger)

DiabloScott

I love chain cleaner threads.
There are ways of dealing with the mess... like my unbuilt hub.



Clean enough!

bbbean 

Looks remarkably similar to the Park Tools Chain Cleaner - https://www.amazon.com/TOOL-CHAIN-CL...=AFUNG49VH4BIB

I've used one for years. You can get by with simple green, chain lube, and some rags/paper towels, but the cyclone cleaner makes quicker work of it.

SylvainG

Believe me, it's not. It's complete junk.

canklecat

I like chain cleaning doodads. They get between the links better. That's where I get most of the crud from riding gritty chip seal and gravel.

Even the cheap crappy White Lightning chain cleaning tool works, for awhile. It's good for about six uses before too many bits and pieces break or get lost (I use it outside and little pieces get lost in the grass). But even with one missing brush from the three, and one that doesn't spin anymore, it still cleans quickly and efficiently between the links. I use a homebrewed solution of Dawn or Stanley degreaser with 90% isopropyl alcohol and follow up with WD-40 and Tri-Flow.

If I didn't ride so much in gritty conditions I might not be a fan, but they're great for some purposes. I plan to get another better quality chain cleaning tool since the White Lightning doodad loses pieces every time I use it.

DiabloScott

I've had junky cleaners too - the Park is nice. Other ones might fall apart or not grab your derailleur the right way or the stuff spills out or the brushes don't turn or they drip all over the place.

The Performance branded one I had in particular was difficult to use and ineffective.

hhnngg1

Gonna say it -

Go WAXED chain and you will never need to clean your chain ever again. It's incredible! No chain tattoos whatsoever! No blackened clothes and rags! No degreaser!

Seriously, it's that good. I'm never using a chain cleaning tool ever again on my bikes.

drlogik 

I'm not a fan of those types of chain cleaners. I think they are more aggravation than necessary. Free isn't exactly "free" if it takes three times as long and/or messy clean-up.

+1 for this....

I use Squirt but any wax-based lube will have virtually the same results as far as cleaning, or, the lack of. For me though, Squirt works better than the White Lightning that I used to use. Not as messy and less frequent applications if done right the first time.


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okane

I'm sure I will go down in flames to hell, but for $4, what the hell.

I was in a little restaurant yesterday and they charged $4 for a stinkin 8 ounce Coke that was 60% ice, so all I'm gambling is a stinkin water downed 8 oz Coke!

And next time I go to this restaurant (my wife likes it) I just get water, so it will be like getting the cleaner for free!

supton

Kerosene? How well does that work? Not flaming, asking. I've been using paint thinner and/or mineral spirits (not sure there is a difference). Sour cream container (not sure on size) and shake. Although it sure takes a while (like 5 or 6 times before start to get fluid that isn't pitch black).

cny-bikeman

That small an amount of solvent is going to do nothing but remove lubricant and spread around the grit and grime more evenly. I notice they show a rag at the beginning but not the result of wiping the chain with it afterward (or before - to show that the chain was actually dirty in the first place). I found some positive reviews, but many were obviously fakes. Chain cleaners are only useful for fanatics that clean and lube their fair-weather bikes weekly. This is just another item that wastes time better spent on your bike.

zammykoo

For those of you that remove the chain and shake in a jar with kerosene (or any other solvent) do you notice any difference in not being able to get it properly lubed after? I'm asking because I've seen comments that it is harsh on the chain's original inner lubed parts.

SquidPuppet

It works very well.

JonathanGennick 

No issues at all. And there's no magic to those inner parts. They are just a bunch of metal bits, and not very many of them at that.

clydeman

I'm going to chime in with the the same experience as those that have tried the Park Tool copy, which this seems to be, I also own the Park Tool original version. I picked up one of these from Ebay, never again, they just don't work well enough and will break after a few uses.There is a reason this is free, I wouldn't spend $4.00 or 40 cents on this.

The Park Tool version I own is going on almost 10 years, I rebuilt it once because the brushes and foam piece were worn out.

For those stating they make a mess, I don't have that problem with the Park Tool version. Neither with the Ebay copy but it's a waste of money if you are looking for something that actually cleans the chain and will last.

supton

I usually leave the chain to dry in the sun & wind for an hour plus (using paint thinner to clean with).

J.Higgins 

^^^this^^^

They sell a lot of those things and they are all junk. Go to a hardware store and buy a steel one-gallon paint can. Most places with sell them for a couple bucks. Fill it 1/3rd with odorless mineral spirits. Add chain. Shake. Let the crud dissolve. Blow with compressed air if you have it, or hang to dry.

The secret is to do this once a week. Don't wait until your chain looks like a fuzzy representation of something that might have been a chain at one time. Wax your chain and you'll be riding happy.

supton

I know there are different ways of doing this, but at the moment I put the chain into a sour cream container (sans cream) and shake; and pour the mess into a used container, like auto washer fluid. [Repeat as necessary.] Over time all the grit settles out in the waste container. Then I can reuse the mineral spirits, by pouring off the top and disposing of waste fluid into a new container. Repeat as necessary.

I'm only onto the first pair of containers, but it holds promise.

ThermionicScott 

Nope. Once the chain has been completely stripped by the mineral spirits, I hang it up on a nail to dry overnight. That way it is bone-dry the next day, and the Chain-L wicks everywhere it needs to go.