Chain Cleaning "toy"

"Scott C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:W80Pa.17226$OZ2.2964@rwcrnsc54...

Quoted message said:

Funny how things work sometimes.. I'm fairly new to bike repair / maintenance, but have totally
disassembled a derailleur - or how ever you spell it, I've replace all cables / housings and
readjusted everything -

and

Quoted message said:

it still works.. but I have some hesitation to punching out a chain link

to

Quoted message said:

take the chain off. I know if I did it once, I'd think no big deal.. anyway.. I was headed into
REI to guy the chain tool and I walked in with some guy, a bike seat in his hand, and we started
talking.. my 1st

question,

Quoted message said:

do you ride a lot - 'fair amount', 2nd question, how often do you clean

your

Quoted message said:

chain - 'every 2 weeks' - I said, "you take your chain off every 2

weeks!"..

Quoted message said:

"no, I use a little bath thing that the chain runs through".. now I'm interested for sure.. "and I
take the chain off about every 2 months".. I bought this little blue bath thing, pour in solution
/ degreaser, run the chain backwards 30 pedals, dump, do it again.. so easy.. OK, not as great

as

Quoted message said:

taking the chain off, but works reasonably well I think. At least I feel better. There are 3
sprockets the chin goes through w/brushed on them, a side cleaning brush, and a sponge at the end
for drying the chain -

getting

Quoted message said:

rid of excess moisture. Cost $25.. not to bad.

Maybe those like me will want to know about this - as I have not seen it posted before.

Scott

Another facet of chain cleaning involves taking your chain off periodically to give it a THOROUGH
cleaning. To make this easier, use the appropriate (8-sp or 9-sp) SRAM chain link. Hand-removable
and reusable, it makes the job much easier. They also make it easier for field repairs. Ever since I
'discovered' the SRAM link, I've not purchased any more Shimano chain pins.

Thanks, I plan to do this, maybe every riding season - as I don't ride that much, but plan to do
this throughout the winter - when at all possible.

sc

"Dave Thompson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Scott C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:W80Pa.17226$OZ2.2964@rwcrnsc54...

Quoted message said:

Funny how things work sometimes.. I'm fairly new to bike repair / maintenance, but have totally
disassembled a derailleur - or how ever

you

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

spell it, I've replace all cables / housings and readjusted everything -

and

Quoted message said:

it still works.. but I have some hesitation to punching out a chain link

to

Quoted message said:

take the chain off. I know if I did it once, I'd think no big deal.. anyway.. I was headed into
REI to guy the chain tool and I walked in

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

some guy, a bike seat in his hand, and we started talking.. my 1st

question,

Quoted message said:

do you ride a lot - 'fair amount', 2nd question, how often do you clean

your

Quoted message said:

chain - 'every 2 weeks' - I said, "you take your chain off every 2

weeks!"..

Quoted message said:

"no, I use a little bath thing that the chain runs through".. now I'm interested for sure.. "and
I take the chain off about every 2 months"..

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

bought this little blue bath thing, pour in solution / degreaser, run

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

chain backwards 30 pedals, dump, do it again.. so easy.. OK, not as

great

Quoted message said:

as

Quoted message said:

taking the chain off, but works reasonably well I think. At least I feel better. There are 3
sprockets the chin goes through w/brushed on them, a side cleaning brush, and a sponge at the
end for drying the chain -

getting

Quoted message said:

rid of excess moisture. Cost $25.. not to bad.

Maybe those like me will want to know about this - as I have not seen it posted before.

Scott

Another facet of chain cleaning involves taking your chain off

periodically

Quoted message said:

to give it a THOROUGH cleaning. To make this easier, use the appropriate (8-sp or 9-sp) SRAM chain
link. Hand-removable and reusable, it makes the

Quoted message said:

job much easier. They also make it easier for field repairs. Ever since I 'discovered' the SRAM
link, I've not purchased any more Shimano chain

pins.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Scott C
Funny how things work sometimes.. I'm fairly new to bike repair / maintenance, but have totally
disassembled a derailleur - or how ever you spell it, I've replace all cables / housings and
readjusted everything - and it still works.. but I have some hesitation to punching out a chain link
to take the chain off. I know if I did it once, I'd think no big deal.. anyway.. I was headed into
REI to guy the chain tool and I walked in with some guy, a bike seat in his hand, and we started
talking.. my 1st question, do you ride a lot - 'fair amount', 2nd question, how often do you clean
your chain - 'every 2 weeks' - I said, "you take your chain off every 2 weeks!".. "no, I use a
little bath thing that the chain runs through".. now I'm interested for sure.. "and I take the chain
off about every 2 months".. I bought this little blue bath thing, pour in solution / degreaser, run
the chain backwards 30 pedals, dump, do it again.. so easy.. OK, not as great as taking the chain
off, but works reasonably well I think. At least I feel better. There are 3 sprockets the chin goes
through w/brushed on them, a side cleaning brush, and a sponge at the end for drying the chain -
getting rid of excess moisture. Cost $25.. not to bad.

Maybe those like me will want to know about this - as I have not seen it posted before.

Scott

They work better than not cleaning your chain at all.
They don't work as well as taking your chain apart and agitating in solvent with the pins vertical.
You'll never damage a link from taking your chain apart to clean it because you don't have to take it apart.
They're a little messy and will splatter dirty cleaning fluid on your wheel and frame.
There are at least three models available from reputable manufacturers and they handle/attach a little differently so check them all out to see which one you like better.
I like mine just fine and use it whenever I don't have anything else to do.
Don't make the beginner mistake of using gasoline instead of approved chain cleaner - the tool will melt before your very eyes!

Get a quick release link like Super Link or SRAM. Then you won't need the bath thingie.

From what I hear, they don't do that good a job anyway.

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

Chris Zacho The Wheelman said:

Get a quick release link like Super Link or SRAM. Then you won't need the bath thingie.

From what I hear, they don't do that good a job anyway.

I've had some good sucess with mine. I use a connex chain link, and take the chain off before
running it over the bath scrubber.

It costs more (you have to buy the bath), it takes about the same time (you have to clean it
afterwards, otherwise the brushes don't last) and it's marginally less mess than other methods.

Why do I use it? Zero effort. I hate doing fiddly scrubbing on the chain. The bath scrubber
doesn't need strength, dexterity, skill or patience. I clean my chain way more often than I need,
so the less it needs of the above, the better.

--
Linux Registered User # 302622 <counter.li.orgcounter.li.orgOpen ↗

I have one of those chain cleaning doo-dads. I used it once. Breaking the chain, dropping it into a
bottle of solvent and swishing isn't nearly as messy as the chain cleaning device.

YMMV.

RFM
--
To reply, translate domain from l33+ 2p33|< to alpha. 4=a 0=o 3=e +=t

DiabloScott said:

They work better than not cleaning your chain at all. They don't work as well as taking your chain
apart and agitating in solvent with the pins vertical. You'll never damage a link from taking your
chain apart to clean it because you don't have to take it apart. They're a little messy and will
splatter dirty cleaning fluid on your wheel and frame. There are at least three models available
from reputable manufacturers and they handle/attach a little differently so check them all out to
see which one you like better. I like mine just fine and use it whenever I don't have anything else
to do. Don't make the beginner mistake of using gasoline instead of approved chain cleaner - the
tool will melt before your very eyes!

If putting liquid chain lube on a dirty chain will wash dirt into the bushings, then why wouldn't a
liquid chain cleaner do the same thing? Shouldn't the chain be cleaned *dry*, to remove grit, before
using any liquid?

-jeff- -jeff- in Acton, MA ** To reply by e-mail: there's no 'x' my address.

Jeff Stone said:

DiabloScott said:

They work better than not cleaning your chain at all. They don't work as well as taking your chain
apart and agitating in solvent with the pins vertical. You'll never damage a link from taking your
chain apart to clean it because you don't have to take it apart. They're a little messy and will
splatter dirty cleaning fluid on your wheel and frame. There are at least three models available
from reputable manufacturers and they handle/attach a little differently so check them all out to
see which one you like better. I like mine just fine and use it whenever I don't have anything
else to do. Don't make the beginner mistake of using gasoline instead of approved chain cleaner -
the tool will melt before your very eyes!

If putting liquid chain lube on a dirty chain will wash dirt into the bushings, then why wouldn't
a liquid chain cleaner do the same thing? Shouldn't the chain be cleaned *dry*, to remove grit,
before using any liquid?

Lots of thin liquid washes the grit through and out. Little thick liquid justs shifts some in. I've
heard of people using lots of lube to achieve the same goal and wiping off the excess. I tried that
for a while, but the wet lube didn't work well for my riding -- too much dust loaded up the lube and
made grinding paste out of it.

David

Scott C said:

Funny how things work sometimes.. I'm fairly new to bike repair / maintenance, but have totally
disassembled a derailleur - or how ever you spell it, I've replace all cables / housings and
readjusted everything - and it still works.. but I have some hesitation to punching out a chain
link to take the chain off. I know if I did it once, I'd think no big deal.. anyway.. I was headed
into REI to guy the chain tool and I walked in with some guy, a bike seat in his hand, and we
started talking.. my 1st question, do you ride a lot - 'fair amount', 2nd question, how often do
you clean your chain - 'every 2 weeks' - I said, "you take your chain off every 2 weeks!".. "no, I
use a little bath thing that the chain runs through".. now I'm interested for sure.. "and I take
the chain off about every 2 months".. I bought this little blue bath thing, pour in solution /
degreaser, run the chain backwards 30 pedals, dump, do it again.. so easy.. OK, not as great as
taking the chain off, but works reasonably well I think. At least I feel better. There are 3
sprockets the chin goes through w/brushed on them, a side cleaning brush, and a sponge at the end
for drying the chain - getting rid of excess moisture. Cost $25.. not to bad.

Maybe those like me will want to know about this - as I have not seen it posted before.

Scott

You'll get lots of opinions. Here's mine 🙂. I've tried both removing the chain and cleaning in
solvent and just using the cleaning tool (with their detergent and with simple green -- I've heard
dish detergent's good also).

I found that the solvent approach (turpentine in my case) left the chain too clean -- it removed the
lube from inside the links where it is difficult to get it back. Since I filtered and reused the
solvent, over time it built up lube in it that stayed behind when the solvent evaporated, but not
enough. My chains didn't last as long as with the cleaning toys. I've heard that using diesel as a
solvent works here because it has lubricating properties and is not as good a solvent.

I found that some cleaning toys don't work as well as others. I don't know what brand I ended-up
with, it's not marked and I've been using it for years. But, with a degreaser or simple green it
works just fine. Using it about every 200-400 miles (with my riding conditions and my lube) provides
the longest chain (and cog) life of everything that I've tried. YMMV I also needed to make a cover
for my disc brakes so that splash from the cleaning didn't get grease on my rotor and mess-up my
braking <sigh>.

David

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by David Kunz
...I also needed to make a cover for my disc brakes so that splash from the cleaning didn't get grease on my rotor and mess-up my braking <sigh>.

David

I have an old hub and cassette that I use (no rim or spokes) when I'm using the chain cleaner. Just take out the wheel, pop in the spokeless hub and twirl away. Just as messy but it doesn't get on your wheel and it's easier to wipe off of the frame without a wheel in there. Do it outside or use a dropcloth.

DiabloScott said:

David Kunz said:

...I also needed to make a cover for my disc brakes so that splash from the cleaning didn't
get grease on my rotor and mess-up my braking <sigh>. David

I have an old hub and cassette that I use (no rim or spokes) when I'm using the chain cleaner.
Just take out the wheel, pop in the spokeless hub and twirl away. Just as messy but it doesn't get
on your wheel and it's easier to wipe off of the frame without a wheel in there. Do it outside or
use a dropcloth.

Neat Idea! I have an old bub laying around and will give that a try 🙂. Thanks, David