Ultrasonic Cleaners

[Bristolian]

Hi all,

As we get into the wetter, dirtier part of the year I have been thinking of how best to clean the chain and drivetrain components on the bike and I see lots of maintenance guys (and gals) on YT using ultrasonic cleaning baths. Now, I have to admit that I used to sell these things (back in the dim and distant past) for industrial applications but hadn't thought of them for this. Perhaps I should have kept my demo unit when I left the company

So, can anyone suggest a manufacturer/model and the size of a good device for chains, derailleurs, cassettes and (maybe) crank rings?

Thanks in advance

 

[Electric_Andy]

I had a 10L, it was a good size. I just couldn't quite fit a bank of 4 carburetors in it, but it would fit what you want in. It was the cheapest one online but it worked very well. It was 2019 and the Amazon orders search can no longer find it, but it wasn't any "known" brand.

 

[presta]

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[sevenfourate]

At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "At this precise moment I'm reading a post which says "

Look out. There’s a blip in the Matrix…..

 

[cyberknight]

Look out. There’s a blip in the Matrix…..

Yes, they allowed sequels ...........

 

[presta]

Look out. There’s a blip in the Matrix…..

That was supposed to be in the 'what are you reading' thread, how did that happen. I must have been off target with my clicking or something.

 

[Big John]

Going back to the cleaner gizmo......we have one at the bike charity where I work. It's only a small one that looks like a deep fat fryer. It's big enough for a couple of chains, rear mech, front mech.....basically smallish stuff. It was a godsend but like all things at our place things get abused and we haven't got the proper stuff to use in it any more. If we used it now the part would come out dirtier than when it went in. Used properly they're awesome. Ours I would class as small. I think it would have cost about £100 new but this was donated.

 

[Smokin Joe]

A mate had one. It was only small size but it made chains and cassettes look like new.

 

[Bristolian]

Going back to the cleaner gizmo......we have one at the bike charity where I work. It's only a small one that looks like a deep fat fryer. It's big enough for a couple of chains, rear mech, front mech.....basically smallish stuff. It was a godsend but like all things at our place things get abused and we haven't got the proper stuff to use in it any more. If we used it now the part would come out dirtier than when it went in. Used properly they're awesome. Ours I would class as small. I think it would have cost about £100 new but this was donated.

Thanks for the reply. Back when I was selling these things I had a small unit that I think was about 3 litres (the memory isn't what it used to be) and we used to put de-ionised water with a dash of washing up liquid in for demonstrations. You don't need to use anything fancy in them as the work is done by the implosion of microscopic bubbles scouring the surface of whatever you're trying to clean. The real benefit, as far as chains go, is that the action gets into all the nooks and crannies that brushing or scrubbing can't reach.

 

[Bristolian]

A mate had one. It was only small size but it made chains and cassettes look like new.

Yeah, they're pretty remarkable little gizmos really. I don't think I ever failed to get a sale after I'd demo'd to a customer.

 

[Bristolian]

I had a 10L, it was a good size. I just couldn't quite fit a bank of 4 carburetors in it, but it would fit what you want in. It was the cheapest one online but it worked very well. It was 2019 and the Amazon orders search can no longer find it, but it wasn't any "known" brand.

Thanks for the replay. I fancy a 10 litre one is gonna be too big - only single Amal carburettors around here There appears to be a good selection on Amazon so I might just get a 3 litre one and see how that goes.

 

[screenman]

I have a couple here, I use white spirit in them and it really does the job extremely well. One of the machines, the one I use the most was £7.50 in Lidl, the other a more expensive one was used by my late wife to clean surgical instruments, she was a chiropodist.

 

[steveindenmark]

Having never had one in 60 years of year round cycling. It makes you wonder if its just another gizmo you want to add to the cycling box in the shed.

Once it starts getting wet and muddy. I get home, get a couple of buckets of rainwater and wash and rinse the bike down. I get a rag soaked in white spirit and run the chain through it, dry it and oil it.

I will do this every other day and a deeper clean at weekend. It takes 10 minutes at most and I cannot recall the last mechanical problem I had.

 

[screenman]

Having never had one in 60 years of year round cycling. It makes you wonder if its just another gizmo you want to add to the cycling box in the shed.

Once it starts getting wet and muddy. I get home, get a couple of buckets of rainwater and wash and rinse the bike down. I get a rag soaked in white spirit and run the chain through it, dry it and oil it.

I will do this every other day and a deeper clean at weekend. It takes 10 minutes at most and I cannot recall the last mechanical problem I had.

You do not only have to buy what you need, often it is fun to buy what you want as well.

 

[Bristolian]

Having never had one in 60 years of year round cycling. It makes you wonder if its just another gizmo you want to add to the cycling box in the shed.

Once it starts getting wet and muddy. I get home, get a couple of buckets of rainwater and wash and rinse the bike down. I get a rag soaked in white spirit and run the chain through it, dry it and oil it.

I will do this every other day and a deeper clean at weekend. It takes 10 minutes at most and I cannot recall the last mechanical problem I had.

Oh, I know it's not essential but there are times when I get back from a ride and washing the bike down isn't practical (e.g. when it's persisting down) so dropping the chain in a cleaner for 10 minutes is appealing. It will also speed up the cleaning of the rest of the drive chain - derailleurs and cassette in particular - and ensure that even the parts I can't reach get cleaned.