If you’re a cyclist, then you know the importance of keeping your bike chain clean. A dirty bike chain can lead to decreased performance and even damage to the bike itself. That’s why it’s important to invest in a quality bike chain cleaner. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best cleaners on the market today. We’ll discuss their features and how they can benefit you as a cyclist. So if you’re in the market for a new bike chain cleaner, read on!
| Our Favorite | The Product |
|---|---|
| Highest Quality | Park Tool CM-25 |
| Best Value | Park Tool CG-2.4 |
| Best Manual Brush Kit | Finish Line Starter Kit 1-2-3 |
1. Park Tool CG-2.4 Bicycle Chain and Drivetrain Cleaning Kit
Park Tool is one of the biggest, and most respected bicycle tools and gear companies in the USA right now. They offer high quality products, at a reasonable price for everyone ranging from the beginner to the expert. That includes bike chain cleaners, as they sell one of the most popular kits out there for this job.
Park Tool’s Chain and Drivetrain Cleaning Kit includes everything you need to get your bike shifting like a dream again. The Cyclone Chain Scrubber scrubs away the dirt, while the GearClean Brush gets in all the nooks and crannies. Once everything is clean, use Bio ChainBrite to finish the job and protect your drivetrain from corrosion.
You will quickly find that most of the other cleaners on this list are actually very similar to this one! You essentially place the tool (that has cleaner in it) around the chain, and then pedal your bike so that the chain moves through the tool where it comes in contact with both the cleaner, as well as internal brushes.
This is by far the easiest way to clean your bike chain!
Pros
- Easy to use
- Cool, clear blue design so you can see it work
- A full kit with everything you need
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Some people say the bristles get caught in the chain, which is annoying
2. Finish Line Pro Chain Cleaner
Finish Line, much like Park Tool is a big player in the bicycle maintenance game! They offer degreasers, bicycle washing components, bike lubricants and of course a great option for cleaning your chain.
Don’t let your Chain Cleaner fall into disrepair – keep it running like new with this bike chain cleaning kit! Featuring three new brush wheels, new axles and two new scrubber pads, this set will have your Chain Cleaner looking and performing better than ever.
You probably recognize that this one is much like the other tools on this list, however its shape and operation is a bit different. That said, it is incredibly easy to use, and can clean your bike chain in moments, rather than having to individually clean each link one at a time.
If you get the kit that I linked below, it includes everything you need to clean your chain, including the tool, degreaser and the lubricant that needs to be added afterwards.
Pros
- Very easy to use on your bike chain
- High quality build for the price
- Tool is angled so cleaner doesn’t find its way out and make a mess during use
Cons
- Some people find that tool makes it difficult to move the chain during use
3. Park Tool CM-25 Professional Chain Scrubber Tool
Did you like the CG-2.4 at the top of this article, but wish it was a bit nicer? Well, this is the shop version of that tool! While you lose out on the ability to see the tool clean, it makes up for it by being considerably more durable, of course at a price.
If you are someone that really enjoys cleaning your bike? Then you are probably going to want to opt for this tool.
Park Tool Chain Scrubber CM-25 is a professional quality chain scrubber that quickly and easily cleans chains. This shop quality chain cleaner has a die cast aluminum case and handle, dual sided sponges and wicking pads to help reduce drips, rotating brush, and proven four-sided scrubbing action that makes cleaning chains quick and easy.
This tool also adds a convenient, high quality handle to the cleaner, making it much easier to do more regularly!
Pros
- Professional quality build
- Cleans from all 4 directions
- Made of metal
Cons
- Much more expensive than other options
- Doesn’t come with additional supplies
4. Dynalion Bike Brush Multifunctional Chain Brush
Are you someone that likes to keep things simple, and take your time? Well then maybe one of those more automated tools isn’t for you. Instead you should get a great kit of brushes that allows you to easily clean every link in the way that you want.
Dynalion Bike Brush Multifunctional Chain Brush is sturdy and durable, it can help clean and maintain the chains of bicycles and motorcycles. With three different tools, it’s perfect for any type of bicycle; from traditional systems to mountain bikes, road bikes or BMX.
The Dynalion Bike Brush is easy-to-use with no need to disassemble the chain or gear when cleaning – just use the three-side cleaning brush for a quick clean.
Did I mention that these brushes are also considerably less money than the other tool kits on this list?
Pros
- Very low cost
- You can clean as much as you want
- Comes with tools to clean everything the chain touches, not just the chain
- Works for all types of bikes
Cons
- Much more involved cleaning than competitors
5. Finish Line Starter Kit 1-2-3
Looking to get your bike clean and lubed up? Look no further than the Finish Line Starter Kit 1-2-3. This convenient cleaning kit comes with our Grunge Brush, Multi-Degreaser, and DRY Lube – three of our most popular products. The Grunge Brush is super durable and perfect for breaking up grunge and grime, while the Multi-Degreaser is a super strong cleaner that quickly breaks up grease and dirt.
And finally, DRY Lube is our most popular lubricant, which helps keep your parts moving smoothly. So if you’re looking to get your bike cleaned up and lubed up in no time, pick up the Finish Line Starter Kit.
This kit is great for those people that like the Finish Line brand, but don’t want to purchase the more expensive tool that automatically cleans your chain (mentioned earlier in this article).
Pros
- Comes with everything you need to manually clean your bike chain
- Low cost option for a high quality brand
- Easy to use
Cons
- More work than more expensive options
6. Muc Off X-3 Dirty Chain Machine
Do you like all of the bike chain cleaning machines above, but wish you had one in pink? This one is going to be your best bet. It’s not only pink, but it is also highly rated, and seems to be a great quality product.
The Muc-Off X-3 Dirty Chain Cleaning Machine is the ultimate tool for keeping your chain clean and running smoothly. Its innovative design features 120 different contact points to remove grime, grease, and chain oil quickly and easily. The included 75ml bottle of Bio Drivetrain Cleaner helps dissolve built-up dirt and lubricants, so your chain is clean and properly lubricated for improved performance.
Pros
- Cool pink coloring
- Cleans the chain well
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not everyone will want pink
What are you looking for in a great bike chain cleaner?
Quality of the build
You need to make sure when you are buying your bike chain cleaner that you get a quality build. You do not want to be forced to buy a bike chain cleaner every month because the product broke after using it for one time.
Cheap bike chain cleaners can break and fall apart quickly if you don’t buy the right one; don’t make this mistake when shopping around for bike chain cleaners.
Does it actually clean the chain?
This bike bike cleaner reviews post will give you great suggestions for bike chain cleaner products that actually clean the bike chain and get all of the dirt, grime, and grease off of it.
You don’t want to use a bike chain cleaning product that doesn’t do what you need it to; be sure to check your bike bike cleaner reviews before buying bike chain cleaner products.
Keeping an eye on the cost of the bike chain cleaner
Although bike chain cleaner products are rather expensive, you do not have to spend a lot of money on them. If you are shopping for bike chain cleaners it is best if you keep an eye out for discounts. Check online, bike bike cleaner reviews , and even your local bike shop to see if they offer bike bike cleaner product discounts.
What else do you need to buy other than a bike chain cleaner?
If you are looking to buy a bike chain cleaner, make sure you also have the right things to do the job right! If you are not purchasing a full kit, always make sure to buy a degreaser and cleaner like this spray here to remove all of the residue ahead of time.
Then make sure to purchase a lubricant like this one for keeping the chain lubricated after it has been cleaned off. This is very important!
Why do you need to clean your bicycle chain?
You need to clean your bike chain to remove dirt, grease and oil. This will help keep your bike running smoothly and prevent damage to the bike itself. One common thing that happens when you don’t clean your bicycle chain, is that it can start to skip teeth, or worse yet fall off of your drivetrain.
Keeping your bike chain clean just makes things ride better, work better, and last considerably longer than if you don’t.
Should I clean my bike chain after every ride?
You most definitely do not have to clean your bicycle chain after every ride. However what you do need to do is perform some basic maintenance on your bike on a regular schedule. By cleaning and lubricating your bike chain you will help keep it running smoothly, which in turn will help to prolong the life of other important bike components.
Frequently Asked Questions
WD-40 actually is great to use on your bike chain! It easily helped remove dirt, grime, and oils off of the chain. In fact, they make a bike version of the solution. Keep in mind though, this will remove all existing oils, meaning you need to add a lubricant back onto the chain for correct operation.
You should always degrease your bike chain while cleaning it. Adding a degreaser will allow for a much easier job of cleaning the chain.
If your bike chain is considerably aged, and is loose (also known as stretched), you should probably replace the chain rather than just clean it. Cleaning a chain will only get dirt and grime off the chain, and does nothing towards repairing a damaged chain.
Conclusion
So there you have it – the best bike chain cleaners on the market today. Whether you’re looking for a professional-grade cleaner, or something more convenient and easy-to-use, we’ve got you covered. So don’t wait – pick up one of these great bike chain cleaners today and get your bike running like new!
