Chain Cleaners - Spin Doctor Bad, Finish Line Good

[Pugslyyy]

For a while now I've been using the ($12.99) Spin Doctor Clean Machine Chain Cleaner from Performance.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/40-1487-NCL-TOP.jpg

The darn thing never really got my chain clean, but at least it was cheap! Anyway, I finally decided that I had had enough of that one and picked up the ($24.99) Finish Line Chain Cleaner Kit. Twice the cost, but this one actually gets the job done, and included lube and degreaser with the price.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/40-2130-NCL-FRONT.jpg

So in summary, I find the Finish Line Cleaner to work well and be a solid product. Anybody else have any recommendations/experiences to share?

[Javier]

I try the Park Tool Chain Cleaner at it works really good.
I bought from Performance.

http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=8&item=CG%2D2

It comes with GSC-1 GearClean® Brush, and an 8oz bottle of CB-2 Citrus Chain Brite.

Additionally you can get replacement parts for the cleaner from Park Tool

[Erica]

lol jon, with a review like that, good luck selling the one youre selling! lmao!

[Erica]

i LOOOOOVE my park tool chain cleaner, and the juice they sell with it smells yummy and works GREAT :D

[Pugslyyy]

lol jon, with a review like that, good luck selling the one youre selling! lmao!

I thought you might see the humor in that!

[RickF]

I went in a different direction. I use the Wipperman Connex (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=14546&subcategory_ID=5134) connector so I can remove the chain to clean and lubricate it. While the chain is off, I have better access to the cassette, chainrings, and derailleurs so I can clean them, too. I have two chains so if I am in a hurry, I pop off the dirty one and put on the clean one. When I have more time, I clean and lubricate the dirty chain so it is ready to go for the next time.

[Pugslyyy]

I've never tried the Wipperman, can you use it on any chain or does it have to be a Wipperman chain? Also, is it as easy to install/remove as they claim?

[RickF]

I have been using the Wipperman Connex on a 10 speed Shimano 105 chain and 10 speed Ultegra chain for more than a year without any problems. I do not have any difficulties removing it or replacing it.

I have the SRAM Powerlink on a 9 speed 105 chain on my hybrid. It works well on the Shimano chain, but it is difficult to open. The SRAM 10 speed Powerlink is not designed to be reopened, so there is no advantage of using it over using the pins that come with the Shimano 10 speed chains. The 10 speed Wipperman Connex is much easier to use than the 9 speed SRAM Powerlink.

[Pugslyyy]

Ah, I wondered about that because I've used the SRAM chains in the past and they are indeed a PITA to remove.

[gary smith]

Hi everybody --- Gary Smith here. If you use a KMC Missing Link on your Campi,Shimano or Sram chain it will work very very well and is easy to remove. I personally will not use a Wipperman anything. When it comes to chains I will use Campi with Campi companents and Shimano with Shimano and Sram with Sram components. Wipperman may be stronger and last longer but each manufacturer produces a chain that (although interchangable with each other) works best with its own brand of chain.

[TomG]

I use these on my chain, chain rings and cassette once a week...:)

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:gHxNOp5TQhAQBM:http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/70-1057-NCL-TOP.jpg

http://www.simplegreen.com/images/prod_all_purpose_lg.jpg