Chain Cleaners (those snap on things)

Did you do a search within this site? This issue has been discussed time and time again. You may have better luck starting with that step....

I had one of the chain-cleaners at one time. It worked well but it didn't last very long. You can get the chain just as clean using other methods. I'd say pass on the chain cleaner. As another infamous member of this forum would say "save your money for swill"! 😄

I have the Finish Line model and I'm very pleased with it. Makes short and easy work of cleaning the chain. $20 no-brainer.

small paintbrush and a tin of turps work fine. Plus you can't break 'em.

just bought the park tool one this passed weekend. works great. i was suprised actually.

HyperPhreak said:

just bought the park tool one this passed weekend. works great. i was suprised actually.

I've got the Performance brand which works fine with their Citrus cleaner. Gets the chain shiny quickly without making a mess. Don't use it very often though, mostly just wipe down the chain with a rag before relubing.

I used to not clean my chain at all. I used to use chain wax, and when it came time to service the chain, I'd just remove it and submerse it in the new wax. The existing wax on the chain would liquify, and the dirt would fall to the bottom of the jar.

When I'd remove the chain, it would *seem* clean, but lord knows if I actually got any of the embedded dirt off at all. It was a good solution for a lazy bum (like me) but nowadays I clean the chain with degreaser by submersing it and brushing it off with a stiff paint brush.

The clip on chain cleaners would always make a disasterous mess out of my work area, so I gave up on them rather early. That could be because I cheaped out and bought the Performance brand model.

waxed chain....that's old skool.

Respeck!

😄

TrekDedicated said:

Hey everyone,

I've been considering buying one of those chain cleaners that snaps onto the chain and all the brushes clean it. I know Park Tools and Pedro's makes them. Are they worth my time or should I stick to the old fashion way of cleaning my chain?

Thanks!

I use one and find its great. I also have a SRAM powerlink which allows you to remove the chain and clean in cole bottle or like. I find it is not worth it.

The tip someone gave me, use it outside and take your rear wheel off, put back on the quick release on its own but with the chain around it and then pedal away with th echain device on, running over the quick release which is LIGHTLY attached across the back fork.

Just did it last night and very pleased as always with the result

Quoted post said:

The clip on chain cleaners would always make a disasterous mess out of my work area, so I gave up on them rather early. That could be because I cheaped out and bought the Performance brand model.

I've had the same experience with the Park kit.

The quickest, easiest and most effective way for me is to remove the chain (SRAM with powerlink), pop it into a small plastic container with the degreaser of your choice (car engine cleaner is cheap and effective) and shake it around for a minute or two. Rinse a few times with water, leave to drip dry for another few minutes, and then a final rub with an old t-shirt to polish it up nicely. Relube each pivot individually (just one drop on each) and reinstall. Repeat monthly, which for me is about every 1200kms or so. Runs smooth and quiet...

Got to admit, I like the chain machines. They're goofy, and they require a bit of caution to avoid making the above-mentioned workspace mess, but there's no quicker way to get a chain squeaky (er, silently) clean.

I've used the Finish Line one for a few years. It's starting to fall apart; the snap-down lid is getting a bit tenuous and one whole roller fell out and slipped away forever, but the damn thing still works faster than my toothbrush.

I just started using Boeshield T-9 on my road bikes. I'll never clean those chains again other than wiping them off with a rag sprayed with Simple Green. When they reach the 0.75% wear mark I'll toss 'em and put on a new one.

Keep in mind though that I don't use Wipperman or Dura-Ace chains. I just use commodity SRAM PC-59 or KMC Z-9000 chains. The way I see it is, they are disposable. No need to try to squeeze a gazillion billion miles out of them.

Doctor Morbius said:

I just started using Boeshield T-9 on my road bikes. I'll never clean those chains again other than wiping them off with a rag sprayed with Simple Green. When they reach the 0.75% wear mark I'll toss 'em and put on a new one.

Keep in mind though that I don't use Wipperman or Dura-Ace chains. I just use commodity SRAM PC-59 or KMC Z-9000 chains. The way I see it is, they are disposable. No need to try to squeeze a gazillion billion miles out of them.

Not a bad point, though where chain cleanliness is concerned, I'm usually trying to aim for general drivetrain health--a clean chain promotes a clean cog or chainring, which lends to a happy derailleur, and so on. Personally, keeping my chain shiny is part of a routine and a mindset: it's a visible way of focusing on the upkeep of a very, very expensive total investment.

That said, if you've got a personal system which works, that's what matters most. No sense in stressing over every last bit of chain gristle if you're getting the big-picture job done.

TrekDedicated said:

Hey everyone,

I've been considering buying one of those chain cleaners that snaps onto the chain and all the brushes clean it. I know Park Tools and Pedro's makes them. Are they worth my time or should I stick to the old fashion way of cleaning my chain?

Thanks!

Like Scotty Dog, I use Finish Line on my bike. It's a great tool to have and saves me from actually rmoving the chain from the bike. Finish Line comes in a kit along with degreaser (7-8 uses) and a bottle of lubricant. I personally like the ATB that I bought at my LBS. You just follow the instructions on cleaning the chain and relube...POC