Which one and why?
#1
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Which one and why?
I've asked Santa for a chain cleaner for Christmas. I have had a Chinese clone in the past but it was aggravating to use and didn't last. I have been looking at the Park and the Pedros model. I am leaning to the Pedros because of the hook that holds it in place while you are rotating the chain. If anyone has owned or used both I would appreciate some feedback. Are there any unseen negatives to the Pedros? They both seem to be running about a 4.5 rating on Amazon, but (of course) the Park has 30 times the number of reviews. TIA!
#2
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None. They are all messy and mostly ineffective.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
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Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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I’ll offer an alternative view. They’re a bit messy but a big towel solves that, pretty effective, and quick. Better than nothing if you don’t want to do the wax incantations.
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For me it's always been easier and faster than on-bike chain cleaners to just remove the chain using a quick link and just swish the chain around in a jar of odorless mineral spirits. Use about 3 rounds of fresh OMS and save the used solvent and after a couple days, the gunk settles to the bottom of the jar. Then just pour off the clean OMS into another jar and re-use over and over again. Easy, cheap and effective.
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They always seemed a bit gimmicky to me.
#6
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I have the Park Tool CM-5.2, used for < 5 times, which I no longer use now that I am a chain waxer.
louky PM me if you want it and are willing to cover shipping.
louky PM me if you want it and are willing to cover shipping.
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Let me just offer up this disclaimer. I’m not a bike tech but I’m a tool junkie, not afraid to try something that could save me time. It’s 30.00 for the park tool version and honestly I feel that cheap if it saves me time. They may be a bit messy and feel gimmicky, but if mine broke I would get a second in a heartbeat.
I mix simple green and water, on a stand with cardboard underneath. It takes 5 minutes ( 30-40 revolutions ) to clean and wipe dry and by looking at the dirt metal and grime stuck to the bottom of the trap, I’m pretty confident it would cost me more time and $ to rid the chain of the same amount of grime.
tooth brushes seem slower and more time consuming to get the crap out of. Use to use rags, toothbrushes and carb cleaner. Then I did a follow up with the park tool cleaner and the fluid was still dark gray.
not saying anyone else is wrong, but hey, I like them.
I mix simple green and water, on a stand with cardboard underneath. It takes 5 minutes ( 30-40 revolutions ) to clean and wipe dry and by looking at the dirt metal and grime stuck to the bottom of the trap, I’m pretty confident it would cost me more time and $ to rid the chain of the same amount of grime.
tooth brushes seem slower and more time consuming to get the crap out of. Use to use rags, toothbrushes and carb cleaner. Then I did a follow up with the park tool cleaner and the fluid was still dark gray.
not saying anyone else is wrong, but hey, I like them.
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This is one of those times that you just go with the Park version. I use mine once a week on the weekend (every 160 miles), sometimes after a messy rain as well.
The Park can be rebuilt with parts available from Park, or you can just buy another one and use the parts you need and save the other parts for when you need those. Park also offers a shop-quality version of the same tool.
I use a glass mason jar to settle out my solvent for reuse.
The Park can be rebuilt with parts available from Park, or you can just buy another one and use the parts you need and save the other parts for when you need those. Park also offers a shop-quality version of the same tool.
I use a glass mason jar to settle out my solvent for reuse.
#9
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For me it's always been easier and faster than on-bike chain cleaners to just remove the chain using a quick link and just swish the chain around in a jar of odorless mineral spirits. Use about 3 rounds of fresh OMS and save the used solvent and after a couple days, the gunk settles to the bottom of the jar. Then just pour off the clean OMS into another jar and re-use over and over again. Easy, cheap and effective.
There's no way that I would repeatedly reuse a critical part that the maker identifies as non-reusable, when the alternative is as easy as clamping on a cleaner and spinning the pedals a few times, but YMMV.
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What kind of quick links do you use? Shimano and 10+ speed SRAM links are not reusable, and some are quite pricey ( for as simple as they are ). ~$12 for a new link each time you clean your chain would not be considered "cheap", by most.
There's no way that I would repeatedly reuse a critical part that the maker identifies as non-reusable, when the alternative is as easy as clamping on a cleaner and spinning the pedals a few times, but YMMV.
There's no way that I would repeatedly reuse a critical part that the maker identifies as non-reusable, when the alternative is as easy as clamping on a cleaner and spinning the pedals a few times, but YMMV.
My self and many others consider them reusable for the life of the chain. If you're paying $12 you're paying too much.
https://www.amazon.com/Sram-Chain-Sp.../dp/B07QRZ8RMC
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#11
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Originally Posted by [url
https://support.sram.com/hc/en-us/articles/6042755556251-Can-I-reuse-the-Flattop-PowerLock-after-I-have-removed-it-[/url]]
No. Flattop 12-speed PowerLocks are not reusable. Once removed, they will need to be recycled and a new PowerLock installed.
No. Flattop 12-speed PowerLocks are not reusable. Once removed, they will need to be recycled and a new PowerLock installed.
Originally Posted by https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/workshop/chain-quick-links/
SRAM’s 8- and 9-speed PowerLinks can be reused, but its 10-, 11- and 12-speed PowerLocks are non-reusable. SRAM says the ridge that joins the two plates of the PowerLock together can be damaged when unlocking it.
Originally Posted by your amazon link
About this item
Chain Compatibility:
Drivetrain Speeds: 11
Reusable: No
Chain Compatibility:
Drivetrain Speeds: 11
Reusable: No
If you're paying $12 you're paying too much.
Last edited by TC1; 12-06-23 at 09:55 PM.
#12
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Perhaps we should do a thread on how to reuse your quicklinks. I had to reuse one exactly once - I had the chain apart to replace a derailleur and I dropped a piece of the new quicklink "somewhere" on the garage floor. Reusing the old link got me about 8 miles before the chain fell off and was run over by a truck. I had to walk to the bike shop and buy a whole new chain. Now, I carry a new quicklink on every ride.
#13
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I have the Mr. Sparkle cleaner from PDW, it is fine but yeah on my quick linked bikes I probably would just rather put it in an old bottle with some degreaser and isopropyl alcohol and some Dr. Bronners or bike cleaner and shake shake shake señora shake your chain around. I think it does a better job personally. I don't mind the chain cleaner and a towel but I never felt it got things as clean as I would like for the effort expelled.
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I guess the waxing afficionados must do it all the time though.
edit - oo hadn’t seen those Connex links below before. That’s very clever. And the video I just watched talked about a reusable KMC link too. I guess either of those solves that little problem.
Honestly, I don’t think the second sentence there is intended as a qualifier for the first.
Last edited by choddo; 12-07-23 at 05:50 AM.
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Just remembered I got one of these and while you need pretty big hands to use it, it works pretty well without having to mess around with separate bottles and jars, and uses a tiny amount of cleaner each time so much less messy. I don’t think it’s quite as effective as the Park Tool one though.
https://muc-off.com/products/bio-chain-doc
https://muc-off.com/products/bio-chain-doc
#18
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Why Connex quick links aren’t an industry standard is beyond me.
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I agree except for the recumbent trike I ride on bad arthritis days which takes three 2 wheel chains to operate. I had a Pedro and now a Park and they are much messier than my 2 wheel chains which I clean in an industrial ultrasonic cleaner but the Park does a decent job as did the Pedro I tried. When the Park wears out I will go back with a Pedro as I think the Park slobbers more fluid/filth on my stand than the Pedro did
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Perhaps we should do a thread on how to reuse your quicklinks. I had to reuse one exactly once - I had the chain apart to replace a derailleur and I dropped a piece of the new quicklink "somewhere" on the garage floor. Reusing the old link got me about 8 miles before the chain fell off and was run over by a truck. I had to walk to the bike shop and buy a whole new chain. Now, I carry a new quicklink on every ride.
I think it's important to specify the type/brand/"speed" spec in any quick link discussion, because their design and intent varies so much across the spectrum. Again, I have no problem reusing KMC quick links on its 8- and 9-speed chains. I understand other manufacturers warn against reuse of their quick links, and KMC themselves have some that are intended to be single-use only (without the "-R" in the part number).
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#21
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What kind of quick links do you use? Shimano and 10+ speed SRAM links are not reusable, and some are quite pricey ( for as simple as they are ). ~$12 for a new link each time you clean your chain would not be considered "cheap", by most.
There's no way that I would repeatedly reuse a critical part that the maker identifies as non-reusable, when the alternative is as easy as clamping on a cleaner and spinning the pedals a few times, but YMMV.
There's no way that I would repeatedly reuse a critical part that the maker identifies as non-reusable, when the alternative is as easy as clamping on a cleaner and spinning the pedals a few times, but YMMV.
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Don't know about other 'waxing afficionados' but I never clean my chain. I just keep lubing it with drip wax lube after the initial hot wax. Granted if I was riding dirt or gravel I probably would have to clean the chain every now and then.
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#24
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If you're going to recommend going against the maker's instructions, you should probably mention that your opinion contrasts with their position.
#25
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I've asked Santa for a chain cleaner for Christmas. I have had a Chinese clone in the past but it was aggravating to use and didn't last. I have been looking at the Park and the Pedros model. I am leaning to the Pedros because of the hook that holds it in place while you are rotating the chain. If anyone has owned or used both I would appreciate some feedback. Are there any unseen negatives to the Pedros? They both seem to be running about a 4.5 rating on Amazon, but (of course) the Park has 30 times the number of reviews. TIA!