Chain Cleaning Tool

I own it, use it and like it.

I had that, which I replaced with this. The older one held more cleaner, which sounds good, but it is actually more wasteful.  Also it seemed to come apart on me.  I clean my chain after every ride and re-lube so it is always in clean shape for my next ride.

I like a spotless drivetrain. I take everything off of the bike and clean it. Hence, I use a SRAM chain with a power link for my 9 speed bikes. For the 10 speed, I have a SRAM chain with a Wipperman quick link (SRAM powerLOCK isn't removable for 10 speed).

I have one of those scrubber boxes and find it doesn't do the job as well as cleaning off the bike.

My cleaning regiment: I soak in 1:1 citrus degreaser / water along with the cassette and chain rings. I scrub everything with a scrub brush including the chain on both plate sides. Rinse with water. That's enough for the chainrings and cassette; reinstall at this point. For the chain, part 2 is to place in a bottle with paint thinner and shake for a couple minutes. Remove and wipe with a rag. Dry with compressed air then lube.

But, the scrubber box is better than nothing, so yeah, it's worth the small expense and trying it.
A clean drivetrain runs SO much better than a neglected one.

Thanks for the info everyone. I thought I might just take it off and clean it manually too because that seems more thorough. Do you like the Pedro's Citrus Degreaser or have a special thing that works better? I've heard people use Simply Green?

Thanks

You can use a variety of degreasers to the same effect.  Pedro's, Simple Green; I've used citrus degreaser from Lowe's or Home Depot in a large gallon jug (I think it was Zep, or something like that); they all do the job well enough.  But if you want to go all out, use a citrus-based product first, then a detergent based product (Simple Green); then clean water, then lube.  Or take the chain off the bike, soak in degreaser, then rinse.  But I havene't removed a chain for cleaning in the last couple of years and haven't seen any problems.

I've had 1 bad experience with Simple Green. I cleaned the drivetrain from the mountain bike and left the chain rings in the soak box 1/2 submerged. When I got to them about 15 min later, the anodized black on the submerged side was grey. I've read it's harsh on Aluminum parts and will pit the metal. I'm nervous about it.
For citrus, I buy the home depot Zep stuff. Same as Pedros; much cheaper.

Bear: I've read that about "internal lubricants" being removed by organic solvent and call phooey on it. If I'm lubing the chain when I'm done, aren't I replacing it? Besides, the amount of metal shavings which come out during that quick paint thinner wash is incredible. I feel like I'm doing more good than harm. I get 10K from a chain before it's stretched to 12 1/8" on center so feel like my regiment works for me.

You'll also get a contingent who use home brew of 1 part Mobil1 and 4 parts turpentine for both lube and clean.

My thought is: Clean by any method is far better than dirty and blackened.

I think any one of the chain cleaners will work just fine.  If you want to be safe, use the solvents designed for chains (like Pedros or Park) and then use the appropriate lubricant.  I use the Pedros products as well as their chain scrubber and they work great for me.  The important thing is to keep it cleaned.


Edited by War Eagle 2008-05-16 3:42 PM