NSpooner

It's called the 'lawyer stress'.

Shimagnolo

I'll buy that.

AndyK 

So, common sense wise, does it make sense to use a Missing Link, open it up when cleaning the chain, re-use it - once a month for 6 months? I can see spending for two links a year, if it makes cleaning my 11 speed chain off the bike a reality!

caloso

Put me in the Lube, Wipe, and Ride Club.

ka0use

i got a white lightning one at the box store that must not be named for $10.
my chain is always filthy and takes 40 turns and 3 refills to get it clean. and i
use a citric based cleaner.

chains just get dirtier than they look. i wish i HAD one of the park gidgets.

RT

Not gonna lie, that's a little naughty.

waterrockets 

+1

I ride a chain for about 6 months, then throw a new one on there. Cassettes last me approximately forever. What's my motivation for cleaning a chain?

+1

Drag

This.

tntyz

Wow, I have no problem with the Park cleaner and a citrus-based solvent. One application of the citrus solvent, then warm water with dish soap followed with a rinse from a garden hose. Chain comes out squeaky clean. I literally have to go 'round twice with lube to get rid of the dry chain sound. Works really well with the Nashbar Chainmaster.

rbrsddn

I unearthed my park chain cleaner yesterday, and it did a great job cleaning my chain, using citrus degreaser. I haven't used the thing for years, and thought I'd give it a try. Works well if you twist it as the chain runs through it.

pdxtex

wd-40, rag, wipe, repeat. apply chain lubricant of choice. dont be afraid to get dirty though. shop apron and crappy clothes. also open pizza box underneath repair stand is excellent as a gunk catcher....

on the path

This is exactly where I was. Then, in the early spring I started to do a lot of riding with a particular friend. Turns out he is TOTALLY anal about his chain being clean. He's been cycling way longer than me so I turn to him often for advice. I think I bought the cleaning tool one day after riding with him. I felt it was urgent. Otherwise, I probably would have ordered it online to save about 40% compared to what I spent.

Fast forward to this past Sat. when we were getting ready to head out for a ride. He was *very* concerned about how my chain "looked". I assured him that I had wiped the chain, lubed it, and wiped it again just before meeting him. I had gotten used to using a light chain lube, and using it often and liberally.

So, I got the chain cleaning tool out again last night so I could give the chain a "really good cleaning". And that's when the hating started. One can eventually get the chain clean, as I mentioned, but it takes so long and so many other things get dirty in the process that I don't think it's worth it.

Gluteus

There is minor dripping. I put an old newspaper on the floor, under the chain and cassette. It's far less messy than the "chain cleaner" gizmo.

NWS Alpine

Your friend has issues

When you lube make sure the wipe the rollers and outer plates almost completely dry. The lube only needs to be between the plates and the pin to plate interface. Lube anywhere else just gathers dirt/road grime.

datlas 

qft

datlas 

These things are for those who like to put armor all on their car tires.

dissident

I'd say clean the chain because biking is a hobby, just like I don't care if I spend some time weeding the garden with a hula ho because it's a hobby, I wouldn't mind taking the chain off for an occasional cleaning as well. I'm not saying it does any good over just wiping it down with a rag and some lube, but hey, it's a hobby... a certain satisfaction for some over having a chain that shines, and they don't mind doing it. I stick to mineral spirits and use it to clean most everything on the bike. No water or water based stuff.

In the end I waste more time surfing the net personally and most people waste more time thinking about how much they don't want to do something compared to the time it would take just doing it. Mind over matter. But hey, the benefits of such chain cleanings are marginal at best for the typical roadie who stores their bike indoors at night and rides on the road.

kayakdiver

this

rbrsddn

You guys are hard core...

JoelS

I bought my bike to ride, not look at. If someone else wants to see my chain super clean, they're more than welcome to clean it. Otherwise, I use that Park tool gizmo every week or two and relube. I only really clean the drivetrain every 4 months or so when I replace the chain.

Mayday328

Put me in the Prolink category as well. Every other time I lube the chain I will pull the rear wheel and "floss" the cassette to get all the grime and junk from the road out of there.

fstshrk

+1 on the Prolink. I did buy some Chain-L to see if it works better not that I have any complaints with Prolink.

ultraman6970

Ultra uses chainsaw oil a rag or just paper towels.

redlude97

Prolink/homebrew is mostly solvent with some oil, so its still cleaning the chain, you flush out a lot of the gunk in the rollers and then it leaves the oil behind.

on the path

Kind of what I'm using and doing now.

Btw, I don't mind spending time cleaning and caring for my bike. I'm pretty sure a clean chain will last a lot longer than a dirty, grimy one. However, I'm MUCH more interested in riding and spend way more time riding than cleaning my chain or any other part of my bike. Yesterday was the first major chain cleaning I did in over a month. I quickly realized why I waited so long...