Chain cleaner tools
#1
Recumbent Evangelist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 2,991
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chain cleaner tools
My chain is in desperate need of a good, thorough clean. You can only do so much with a rag!
I've been looking at chain cleaner tools, everything from a $5.50 one from MEC, to a $40 model from Park Tools. What's the difference? Will one scrub the chain better than another?
Some of my bikes have powerlinks, so it's easy to remove them and drop them in a bucket of degreaser... Would this be a more effective method?
And finally, degreasers. I read some past topics on this, and have seen a few suggestions, including Simple Green, mineral spirits, and brake cleaner. There are orange-based degreasers, too. I'd prefer something that is biodegradeable, but also does the job.
So, what do I need to get my chain all shiny new?
I've been looking at chain cleaner tools, everything from a $5.50 one from MEC, to a $40 model from Park Tools. What's the difference? Will one scrub the chain better than another?
Some of my bikes have powerlinks, so it's easy to remove them and drop them in a bucket of degreaser... Would this be a more effective method?
And finally, degreasers. I read some past topics on this, and have seen a few suggestions, including Simple Green, mineral spirits, and brake cleaner. There are orange-based degreasers, too. I'd prefer something that is biodegradeable, but also does the job.
So, what do I need to get my chain all shiny new?
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,377
Bikes: Colnago Altain, Klein Pulse II, Stumpjumper FSR, GT Zaskar LE, Pedalforce RS2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have the Pedros and the Finishline chain cleaning tools. Of the two, I think I like the Finishline the best.
The Pedros drips solvent on the chain at the press of a button while the Finishline constantly submerses the cleaner brushes into the solvent. Both result in a very clean chain.
The Pedros drips solvent on the chain at the press of a button while the Finishline constantly submerses the cleaner brushes into the solvent. Both result in a very clean chain.
__________________
98 Colnago Altain
08 Pedalforce RS2
00 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR
06 NYCbikes Single Speed (John Deere Special)
98 Colnago Altain
08 Pedalforce RS2
00 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR
06 NYCbikes Single Speed (John Deere Special)
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: In a cardboard box by Alki beach.
Posts: 343
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by genericbikedude
waterbottle full of simple green and shake.
Followed by rinsing the simple-green off in hot water, hanging it and drying with a hair dryer, and re-lubing.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 9,438
Bikes: Trek 5500, Colnago C-50
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
I'm pretty impressed with the Finishline cleaning machine, works better than expected and is less messy than most.
Al
Al
#7
Banned.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Posts: 4,761
Bikes: 84 Trek 660 Suntour Superbe; 87 Giant Rincon Shimano XT; 07 Mercian Vincitore Campy Veloce
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by Al1943
I'm pretty impressed with the Finishline cleaning machine, works better than expected and is less messy than most.
Al
Al
HOWEVER...if your chain is really dirty you should FIRST take it apart and follow the advice that genericbikedude gave. I have a solvent basin I use and I use a brush to get between the links better then let it soak overnight; but either way works. Once you have your chain really clean then you should use the FinishLine Cleaning Machine about every 100 to 150 miles to keep it clean. I use to take my chain apart every 500 miles or so for deep cleaning but now since I use the FinishLine Machine I only take it apart about every 5,000 miles and then it's not really anymore dirtier then it is when I use the FinishLine Machine.
Also there have been test done by various bike publications on all these chain cleaning machines over the years the FinishLine one always won in every publication.
Word of caution: do not spin the chain fast through whatever machine you buy because they will splatter dirty solvent all over you, your bike, the floor, etc.
#8
MTWThFMuter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SFOBayArea, CA
Posts: 457
Bikes: schwinn, raleigh, 'dale, litespeed, bianchi, surly, novara, brompton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like this 'cause it's got a magnet at the bottom to separate the metal grit (iron filings) from the solution. The kit I purchased came with a Park cleaning solution. When it ran out, I use Simple Green. The tool works well. BTW, when the sponge brush wore out, I replaced it with any ordinary dishwashing sponge.
#9
Obeying Gravity
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 2,962
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Jeprox
I like this 'cause it's got a magnet at the bottom to separate the metal grit (iron filings) from the solution. The kit I purchased came with a Park cleaning solution. When it ran out, I use Simple Green. The tool works well. BTW, when the sponge brush wore out, I replaced it with any ordinary dishwashing sponge.
#10
Senior Member
simple green, an old tooth brush, and some elbow grease. lube the chain with your prefered product.
#11
Recumbent Evangelist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 2,991
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Jeprox
I like this 'cause it's got a magnet at the bottom to separate the metal grit (iron filings) from the solution. The kit I purchased came with a Park cleaning solution. When it ran out, I use Simple Green. The tool works well. BTW, when the sponge brush wore out, I replaced it with any ordinary dishwashing sponge.
#14
Senior Member
About every time I ride, I take a plain old paper towel and grab the chain with it, spin the cranks backwards a few time. This keeps the chain very clean. About once every week or two I spray a little solvent, WD40, on the chain and repeat above. Then very sparingly lubricate and wipe off excess. The whole process takes about 3 minutes. I never take the chain off to clean, just replace when it stretches.
__________________
Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
#15
MTWThFMuter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SFOBayArea, CA
Posts: 457
Bikes: schwinn, raleigh, 'dale, litespeed, bianchi, surly, novara, brompton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jeff-o
Well I suppose you could glue a strong magnet to whatever chain cleaner you buy...