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!
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None. They are all messy and mostly ineffective.
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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.
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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. |
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. |
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. |
Originally Posted by Crankycrank
(Post 23092850)
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. |
Originally Posted by TC1
(Post 23092999)
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. 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 |
Originally Posted by dedhed
(Post 23093031)
My self and many others consider them reusable for the life of the chain.
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.
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 If you're paying $12 you're paying too much. |
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.
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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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For me, an ultrasonic bath cleans chains and most parts quite thoroughly.
Bought one ages ago and it still works. |
Originally Posted by Alan K
(Post 23093104)
For me, an ultrasonic bath cleans chains and most parts quite thoroughly.
Bought one ages ago and it still works. 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.
Originally Posted by dedhed
(Post 23093031)
"The PowerLock can only be removed with chain link pliers and must not be re-used. Install a new PowerLock each time a new chain is installed."
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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 |
Originally Posted by cyccommute
(Post 23092816)
None. They are all messy and mostly ineffective.
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Originally Posted by TC1
(Post 23092999)
What kind of quick links do you use?
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. |
Originally Posted by cyccommute
(Post 23092816)
None. They are all messy and mostly ineffective.
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Originally Posted by ScottCommutes
(Post 23093042)
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). |
Originally Posted by TC1
(Post 23092999)
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. |
Originally Posted by choddo
(Post 23093122)
I guess the waxing afficionados must do it all the time though.
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Originally Posted by Crankycrank
(Post 23093260)
Connex 10sp quicklinks and labled "single use".
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Originally Posted by Crankycrank
(Post 23093260)
Most chains these days come with quicklinks so no need to always have to buy one separately.
If you're going to recommend going against the maker's instructions, you should probably mention that your opinion contrasts with their position. |
Originally Posted by louky
(Post 23092799)
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!
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