Chain cleaning machines

chas38

Hi

has anyone any experience with chain cleaning machines? I'm looking at a few on wiggles's site - they all look fairly similar and only seem to vary in price. Is there one particular brand thats tried and tested and would be a better buy over the others?

thanks

guinea

The Park Tools one seems to be the most recommended.

To be honest, I find them all a bit fiddly and just use degreaser, a brush and a hose.

Garybee

I find the best way is to use a 'missing link' type connector in the chain. You can then remove the chain in seconds, put it in a bottle of degreaser and give it a shake. Comes out sparkling. You need to thouroughly lube it afterwards though.

redddraggon

Garybee wrote:

I find the best way is to use a 'missing link' type connector in the chain. You can then remove the chain in seconds, put it in a bottle of degreaser and give it a shake. Comes out sparkling. You need to thouroughly lube it afterwards though.

This is what I do. I've got one of the chain cleaning machines though, but all it did was slop degreaser everywhere. Less messy doing it Garybee's way.

Just make sure you lube every pin after.

chas38

thanks for your views - fancy gadgets just can't beat a bit of elbow grease eh?

redddraggon

chas38 wrote:

thanks for your views - fancy gadgets just can't beat a bit of elbow grease eh?

It's harder and messier work with the cleaning machine. It's easier taking the chain off, chucking it in a jar with degreaser, shaking it about, let it dry, then relube it.

I found that the cleaning machine didn't really do a good enough job anyway.

Jon8a

I have the brand x one from Chainreaction cycles. It's great for my mountain bike where the chain gets muddy and gritty but not as useful for the roadbike that rarely need the chain cleaning.

I'd spend money on SRAM chains and powerlinks so that the chain can be easily removed and cleaned that way.

Smokin Joe

Waste of money and little use. For the expert opinion, read this -

http://www.kmcchain.com.tw/index.php?ln=en&fn=service#3

chas38

Thanks for all your advice and Smokin Joe that is a very informative site that you recommended

cheers

pieinthesky

I used to use a chain cleaner. If after thoroughly cleaning your chain with a chain cleaner, you remove the missing link and inspect it, you will find that the inside of the chain is still full of dirty degreaser. If you then re-lube your chain the best you will have is a mixture of lube and de-greaser.

I have started to clean just the outside of the chain with WD 40 sprayed on a rag, clean sprockets and rings in the same way then re-lube the chain. Yor chain will then be lubed with a mixture of clean and dirty lube, which is better than clean lube and dirty de-greaser!

I dont yet know if this method works in the long term, but it is easier, cheaper, quicker, cleaner and greener than using a chain cleaner.

Cajun

Removing the chain for cleaning is the best method (IMHO), 2-3 soaking/shaking procedures in new solvents; then drying and re-lubing worked best for me. I tried the wax methods but didn't like it. A few years ago, I found a Sonic Cleaner on sale (4"D x 5"W x 5"L basket) and that's the way to go...cogs and chain are spotless with this method....even the Alum. spacers shine

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

I reckon Sheldon had it about right here:
http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

pneumatic

Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:

I reckon Sheldon had it about right here:
http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

I needed a laugh today and that hit the spot! Thank you.



While you're there, check out the "Real Man Saddles", too.

chronyx

The Real MAN saddle had me in stitches!