Chain Cleaner Gadget

[Christopher Brunsdon]

So I was at Mr Price Sports today and saw they where selling out their chain cleaner kits for R99 - Now I love gadgets and I could not resist, also needed the cleaning brush that came with it so it justified the purchase.

 

Now I've been involved with a lot of threads concerning chain maintenance, but who here has one of these gadgets and actually uses them?

 

Oh, I'm going to give mine a try tomorrow.

[_freak_]

i do, all these kits pretty much got the same in them, mine cost R120 bucks about a year ago, still use it and it still works like a charm, the cleaning fluid i got with the kit was only enough for one use.

the friendly staff at HotSpot told me to use paraffin, never looked back!

[Willehond]

I bought one of those clamshell ones, but it's been lying in the toolbox for more than two years. I usually just spray degreaser on the chain (and only the chain!), spin the cranks whilst holding a nailbrush against the chain and the hose it off and re-lube. Works great and nu fuss. For occasional thorough cleaning I take the chain off, degrease it and use a nailbrush (R5?) to clean it. Clip it back on and then lube each link with a drop of lube. For me it's both the least effort and lowest cost option.

Edited January 15, 2011 by Willehond

[Guest Big H]

Use Sunlight liquid as a cleaner/degreaser in the chain washer.

[_freak_]

@ Willehond

 

i used to do the same, untill i bought a chain cleaner, worth every cent

[The_Break]

There is a better way. Buy a nice paint brush with long bristles and some diesel or meths. Simply "paint" the whole drive train with the dipped brush whilst rotating the cranks backwards. Get into the gears, etc. After about 1min it should be spotless. Then spray it with water and wipe it down. Allows to dry and then lube.

 

This is how the pro team mechanics clean a drivetrain. To complete the bikewash just dip the same paintbrush into a big bucket of soapy water after rinsing and do the same to the whole bike. 10min and your bike should be spotless.

 

DO NOT USE PETROL OR BENZINE - FLAMMABLE AND A CAN CAUSE CANCER

[stewie911]

I can recommend Hope Sh!tshifter. Have never seen anything quite like it. It's biodegradeable and safe to use on disc brakes.

 

You can also use it to clean oil off your hands. I even use it to remove the brake "dust" from the rims of my car.

One or two sprays on the casette, brush a bit and everything looks like the day you bought it.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

I can recommend Hope Sh!tshifter. Have never seen anything quite like it. It's biodegradeable and safe to use on disc brakes.

 

You can also use it to clean oil off your hands. I even use it to remove the brake "dust" from the rims of my car.

One or two sprays on the casette, brush a bit and everything looks like the day you bought it.

 

Thanks, added it to my wish list but see CRC will only get in end Feb. Will get a 5L and give it a go. I got a 2L of the Citrus Clean Green and that worked great when using it with hot water.

[Willehond]

@ Willehond

 

i used to do the same, untill i bought a chain cleaner, worth every cent

Like I said. I have a chaincleaner. I just think it's a pain in the butt to clean. Nailbrush works for me.

[Danger Dassie]

Prepsol and a small dustpan brush.

Do have one of those clamshell type chain cleaners, works a bomb with a diluted mix of prepsol.

 

I heart prepsol.

[Guest Big H]

Like I said. I have a chaincleaner. I just think it's a pain in the butt to clean. Nailbrush works for me.

 

What do you use to clean your nails with after all that greasy dirty gunk settles under your fingernails!

[LazyTrailRider]

There is a better way. Buy a nice paint brush with long bristles and some diesel or meths. Simply "paint" the whole drive train with the dipped brush whilst rotating the cranks backwards. Get into the gears, etc. After about 1min it should be spotless. Then spray it with water and wipe it down. Allows to dry and then lube.

 

This is how the pro team mechanics clean a drivetrain. To complete the bikewash just dip the same paintbrush into a big bucket of soapy water after rinsing and do the same to the whole bike. 10min and your bike should be spotless.

 

DO NOT USE PETROL OR BENZINE - FLAMMABLE AND A CAN CAUSE CANCER

 

I concur. Have tried all the different gadgets/tools over the years and ended up using the brush-method as the easiest and most effective. About a year ago, I added a Grunge Brush to the mix to get the stubborn stuff off... To be honest, I can't imagine ever needing anything more than slathering on degreaser with a paintbrush and then spinning it through the grunge brush. The chain comes out clean enough to eat off.

 

http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/grunge-brush.htm

[Willehond]

What do you use to clean your nails with after all that greasy dirty gunk settles under your fingernails!

I found cleaning my fingernails with the chaincleaner way too diffucult. Couldn't get my fingers though the opening to get the the brushes, so I us the nailbrush for that basic function too! Degreaser cleans everything, even the nailbrush.

[stewie911]

Thanks, added it to my wish list but see CRC will only get in end Feb. Will get a 5L and give it a go. I got a 2L of the Citrus Clean Green and that worked great when using it with hot water.

Also getting the 5l next time when my bottle is finished. Works nice with the spraycan

[leeu52]

Can't wait for Stewie's 5 l. Saw that stuff in action...it's jaw-drop material.

[jmaccelari]

I had a Pedros one until our Moron of a Mechanic on the Joberg2c lost it. I then replaced it with a Pro one which seems to be exactly the same.

 

It's the "clamshell" one that clips over the rear derailleur. I use Kleen Green and it's great for getting the chain clean. It also distributes Kleen Green all over the cassette and chainrings nicely for me to get in and scrub with a brush.