Chain Cleaners??

NYC XYZ said:

What will they think of next!

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=16004&SRCCODE=2769#

Wow, they modeled it after Gonzo from the Muppet Show.

NYC XYZ said:

What will they think of next!

They work okay, but on the SMGT because the front wheel isn't throwing
stuff up onto the chainwheel and most of the drive is inside teflon
tubes anyway, the chain stays remarkably clean and a rag is really all
that's needed. Once every while take off the chain (easy as it has
Powerlinks) and soak it in white spirit overnight to get deep seated
grunge out.

The various specialist lubes work, though they do cost a fair bit. Some
people in uk.rec.cycling seem to swear by chainsaw oil as just as good
and much cheaper. Haven't tried it myself.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

NYC XYZ said:

What will they think of next!

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=16004&SRCCODE=2769#

They've been around since at least the early 1990s. I bought one in
Switzerland in 1992 to clean my touring bike's chain. They work very
well if you do not have a quick link to break the chain easily. With 9
and 10 speed chains, I'm leery of using the chain tool to break them
every month or so to clean the chain. Best to use the quick links if
you are going to break the chain to clean it. If you do not want to
use the quick links to break the chain to clean it, then use the brush
style cleaners as shown in your link. Many makers. I used a Finish
Line before going to the quick links on everything. Does a fine job.
When breaking the chain to clean it I just soak it for a day or a week
or a month in purple degreaser. Then scrub the chain in the sink with
soap and water with a coarse bristle brush then rinse and hang up to
dry.

Quoted message said:

Anything else I should know? What's with this teflon lube that HP
Velotechnik recommends? And do any of you hang up the 'bent on the
wall somehow? This seems like it'd work:
http://www.cycloc.com//index.html....

Quoted message said:

NYC XYZ said:

What will they think of next!

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=16004&SRCCODE=2769#

They've been around since at least the early 1990s. I bought one in
Switzerland in 1992 to clean my touring bike's chain. They work very
well if you do not have a quick link to break the chain easily.

The one caveat about the chain cleaners is that you often need to change
the solvent several times before it runs clean. Otherwise the suspended
grit in the solvent will work its way back between the links and rollers.

The chain cleaners do a better job than soaking, because the links and
rollers are in motion as they pass through the solvent.

Or as Sheldon writes: "The on-the-bike system has the advantage that the
cleaning machine flexes the links and spins the rollers. This scrubbing
action may do a better job of cleaning the innards."

Peter Clinch said:

They work okay, but on the SMGT because the front wheel isn't throwing
stuff up onto the chainwheel and most of the drive is inside teflon
tubes anyway, the chain stays remarkably clean and a rag is really all
that's needed.

Wow, really?!? I've always wondered why there isn't build-up inside
those tubes (yeah I know they're teflon but still...)....

Quoted message said:

Once every while take off the chain (easy as it has
Powerlinks) and soak it in white spirit overnight to get deep seated
grunge out.

What's "white spirit," vodka??

Quoted message said:

The various specialist lubes work, though they do cost a fair bit.

Yeah, $24 for HP Velo's recommended Profi Teflon Lube!!

Quoted message said:

Some
people in uk.rec.cycling seem to swear by chainsaw oil as just as good
and much cheaper. Haven't tried it myself.

Actually, I've never done any bike maintenance in my life short of
fixing flats (and those take me like twenty minutes at a time!). It
was like finding out about sex, the first time someone told me I had to
"clean" my bike...I was like, huh?!

Quoted message said:

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

landotter said:

Wow, they modeled it after Gonzo from the Muppet Show.

LOL...the thing does look rather limp, now that you mention it!

SMS <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

NYC XYZ said:

What will they think of next!

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=16004&SRCCODE=

276

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

9#

They've been around since at least the early 1990s. I bought one in
Switzerland in 1992 to clean my touring bike's chain. They work very
well if you do not have a quick link to break the chain easily.

The one caveat about the chain cleaners is that you often need to
change the solvent several times before it runs clean. Otherwise the
suspended grit in the solvent will work its way back between the links
and rollers.

The chain cleaners do a better job than soaking, because the links and
rollers are in motion as they pass through the solvent.

Or as Sheldon writes: "The on-the-bike system has the advantage that
the cleaning machine flexes the links and spins the rollers. This
scrubbing action may do a better job of cleaning the innards."

========================================================================

I have a quick link in my chain so to clean the chain I take it off the
bike and put it in an ultrasonic cleaner for several hours. The
Ultrasonic cleaner heats up the solvent when in use so I have lately
been using an industrial strength water soluble orange based cleaner
from Home Depot (no explosive vapors).

After the Ultrasonic cleaner has done it's job I take the chain out and
put it in a wide mouth plastic apple juice bottle with some fresh
cleaner, I cap the bottle and shake it vigorously to give it a final
rinse and then I fish out the chain with an old spoke.

My chain comes out nice and clean and I save the rinse solvent in the
apple juice bottle for use in the ultrasonic cleaner next time.

I final rinse the chain in water, blow it dry with an air compressor
being sure to blow out every roller, hang it to finish drying and then
lube it.

While the chain is in the ultrasonic cleaner I give the bike a
mechanical once over and a cleaning.

Rich

Richard B said:

I have a quick link in my chain so to clean the chain I take it off the
bike and put it in an ultrasonic cleaner for several hours. The
Ultrasonic cleaner heats up the solvent when in use so I have lately
been using an industrial strength water soluble orange based cleaner
from Home Depot (no explosive vapors).

After the Ultrasonic cleaner has done it's job I take the chain out and
put it in a wide mouth plastic apple juice bottle with some fresh
cleaner, I cap the bottle and shake it vigorously to give it a final
rinse and then I fish out the chain with an old spoke.

My chain comes out nice and clean and I save the rinse solvent in the
apple juice bottle for use in the ultrasonic cleaner next time.

I final rinse the chain in water, blow it dry with an air compressor
being sure to blow out every roller, hang it to finish drying and then
lube it.

While the chain is in the ultrasonic cleaner I give the bike a
mechanical once over and a cleaning.

I had one of these units, and it was wonderful for cleaning chains. They
lasted three times as long as before. Unfortunately I sold mine before I
moved. Too much stuff -- gotta draw the line somewhere.

I don't understand why bike shops don't use these for chains and general
parts cleaning. They save a lot of labor, and do a perfect job.

Matt O.

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I don't understand why bike shops don't use these for chains and general
parts cleaning. They save a lot of labor, and do a perfect job.

At interbike there was a booth set up by a company selling utlrsonic cleaners.
Maybe more shops will get these.
-------------
Alex

Alex Rodriguez <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I don't understand why bike shops don't use these for chains and
general parts cleaning. They save a lot of labor, and do a perfect
job.

At interbike there was a booth set up by a company selling utlrsonic
cleaners. Maybe more shops will get these.
-------------
Alex

Anyone know where to get an inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner? The ones I've
seen for sale are expensive.

--
Mike DeMicco <[email hidden]>

Matt O'Toole said:

I don't understand why bike shops don't use these for chains and general
parts cleaning. They save a lot of labor, and do a perfect job.

Probably because they take cleanliness to an unnecessary level versus
using an automotive parts cleaner, and the large ultrasonic cleaners are
very expensive.

SMS said:

Matt O'Toole said:

I don't understand why bike shops don't use these for chains and general
parts cleaning. They save a lot of labor, and do a perfect job.

Probably because they take cleanliness to an unnecessary level versus
using an automotive parts cleaner, and the large ultrasonic cleaners are
very expensive.

It's speed and workflow that matters, at least to smart shops who are
busy. Small units suitable for bike parts are available for less than
$500, and they'd pay for themselves quickly.

Matt O.

Mike DeMicco said:

Anyone know where to get an inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner? The ones I've
seen for sale are expensive.

Try eBay.

Matt O.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Matt O'Toole said:

I don't understand why bike shops don't use these for chains and general
parts cleaning. They save a lot of labor, and do a perfect job.

Quoted message said:

SMS said:

Probably because they take cleanliness to an unnecessary level versus
using an automotive parts cleaner, and the large ultrasonic cleaners are
very expensive.

Matt O'Toole said:

It's speed and workflow that matters, at least to smart shops who are
busy. Small units suitable for bike parts are available for less than
$500, and they'd pay for themselves quickly.

We have a very nice unit that is not regulary used.

If we're removing everything for a respray or such, sure.
The preponderance of jobs here do not entail
remove/clean/remount any component.

You are quite insightful. It _is_ throughput that matters. A
ten minute break for ultrasound cleaning is longer than our
average job is in a stand.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Matt O'Toole said:

It's speed and workflow that matters, at least to smart shops who are
busy. Small units suitable for bike parts are available for less than
$500, and they'd pay for themselves quickly.

Matt O.

Where can I get one of these? Which makes and models do you recommend,
and why? Any links, please?

Wow...amazing what folks come up with! Just to be on the safe side:
there ain't no thingamajig that levitates your wheels off the ground
yet, right?

In article <[email hidden]>,

NYC XYZ said:

Matt O'Toole said:

It's speed and workflow that matters, at least to smart shops who are
busy. Small units suitable for bike parts are available for less than
$500, and they'd pay for themselves quickly.

Matt O.

Where can I get one of these? Which makes and models do you recommend,
and why? Any links, please?

Google "ultrasonic cleaner". They're used by jewelers,
dental technicians, hospitals, etc.

Quoted message said:

Wow...amazing what folks come up with! Just to be on the safe side:
there ain't no thingamajig that levitates your wheels off the ground
yet, right?

You mean a workstand?

My legs do that too, when I bunnyhop :-)

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Tom Keats said:

Google "ultrasonic cleaner". They're used by jewelers,
dental technicians, hospitals, etc.

Ah, those!

Quoted message said:

You mean a workstand?

Hmm...wonder how it'll take hills....

Quoted message said:

My legs do that too, when I bunnyhop :-)

Too bad God isn't in the 'bent business! Though I mean to ask Him
about the suspension he gave me...already I need an upgrade??

Quoted message said:

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Tom Keats said:

Google "ultrasonic cleaner". They're used by jewelers,
dental technicians, hospitals, etc.

Ah, those!

Quoted message said:

You mean a workstand?

Hmm...wonder how it'll take hills....

Quoted message said:

My legs do that too, when I bunnyhop :-)

Too bad God isn't in the 'bent business! Though I mean to ask Him
about the suspension He gave me...already I need an upgrade??

Quoted message said:

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

[email hidden] (Tom Keats) wrote in news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Google "ultrasonic cleaner". They're used by jewelers,
dental technicians, hospitals, etc.

I don't think those small, cheap ones used to clean jewelry will work that
well on a chain.

If you read the spec. sheets for ultrasonic cleaners, you will find that
they are not meant for cleaning really filthy, dirty things. So, depending
on how scuzzy your chain is to begin with, you may have to clean and
degrease it by some other method before putting it into the ultrasonic
cleaner. They can also cause hydrogen embrittlement.

--
Mike DeMicco <[email hidden]>