Bike Chain Cleaner Brush - Multi Sided Bristle Chain and Gear Cleaning Tool

Description

This bike chain cleaner brush has nylon bristles arranged on multiple faces so it reaches the top, bottom and both sides of a chain in a single pass, on a 26cm ABS handle. It is red, measures 26 x 6 x 3.2cm, and is $21.99 at Lets Party. It suits bicycles, motorcycles and any other chain-driven machine, and also cleans cassettes, chainrings and derailleur pulleys.

A dirty chain is the most expensive kind of neglect on a bike, because the grit does not sit on the chain - it grinds inside it. Road dust and sand work into the rollers and pins and turn every pedal stroke into a lapping operation, which is why a neglected chain stretches, and why a stretched chain then chews out the cassette and chainrings that cost several times more than the chain does. Cleaning is not cosmetic maintenance. It is the difference between replacing a chain and replacing a drivetrain.

Specifications

What's in the Box

Why Choose a Multi Sided Chain Brush

• Reaches all four faces - the bristle layout wraps the chain, so you are not turning the brush over and going round again to get the inner plates.
• Gets between the cassette sprockets - the narrow bristle rows fit the gaps where most of the black paste actually accumulates.
• Nylon bristles - stiff enough to shift dried-on grime, soft enough not to scratch alloy chainrings or an anodised finish.
• Keeps your hands out of it - a 26cm handle means chain filth stays on the brush rather than up to your wrist.
• Works on more than bikes - motorcycle and ATV chains have exactly the same problem and the same solution.

How Often Should You Clean a Bike Chain?

The useful rule is by conditions rather than by calendar. A road bike ridden in dry weather can go several hundred kilometres between proper cleans, with a wipe-down and re-lube every couple of rides. One wet ride changes that completely - water carries grit into the rollers and strips lubricant, so a chain should be cleaned and re-lubed after any ride in rain or on a wet road, not next weekend. Mountain and gravel riding in dust or mud is a clean after every ride. The quick test is to run a clean rag along the chain: if it comes away black and gritty rather than lightly grey, the chain needs work now.

Do You Need Degreaser With a Chain Brush?

For a routine clean, no - a brush and a rag will shift most surface grime, and many riders prefer that because degreaser also strips the lubricant out of the rollers and has to be fully replaced afterwards. For a chain that has gone properly black and pasty, yes, you want a bike-specific degreaser to break the oil down first. Two things worth knowing either way. Always re-lubricate after cleaning, because a clean dry chain wears faster than a dirty lubricated one. And avoid petrol and harsh solvents on a modern chain - they can degrade the seals and O-rings on motorcycle chains and leave residues that attack some components.

Can You Use This on a Motorcycle Chain?

Yes, and the supplier lists motorcycles and ATVs alongside bicycles. The job is the same and a motorcycle chain rewards it more, since the chain and sprockets cost considerably more to replace. One important caution: most modern motorcycle chains are O-ring or X-ring sealed, and those seals hold the factory grease inside the rollers. Use a brush and a chain-safe cleaner, work gently, and do not use aggressive solvents, a wire brush or a pressure washer on a sealed chain - the seals are what the chain's life depends on, and once they are damaged no amount of external lubricant makes up for it.

Buyers are typically commuters whose bike lives outside and gets ridden in the wet, mountain bikers cleaning up after muddy rides, motorcyclists maintaining a chain between services, and parents keeping a household of bikes running.

For more of the same, see our Sports and Fitness range and our Tools and Hardware collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is degreaser included?
No. You get the brush only - no degreaser, lube or rags.

Will the bristles scratch my components?
They are nylon, chosen to be stiff enough for grime and soft enough for alloy. They will not scratch chainrings or cassettes in normal use.

Is this the same as a chain cleaning machine?
No. A chain machine is a clip-on box full of solvent with internal brushes that you pedal the chain through. This is a hand brush - cheaper, simpler, and better for cassettes and chainrings that a machine cannot reach.

Can I use it on an e-bike?
Yes. The drivetrain is the same. Just avoid soaking the motor or battery area, and never pressure wash an e-bike.

How do I clean the brush itself?
Rinse it in warm soapy water and let it dry bristle-down so water runs out rather than sitting in the handle.

Will it fit between a close-ratio cassette?
The narrow bristle rows are designed for exactly that, though the tightest 11 and 12 speed spacing may still need a dedicated cassette floss for the deepest gaps.

Does it work on a rusted chain?
It will remove surface grime and light surface rust. A chain that is genuinely rusted through the rollers is worn out and should be replaced rather than cleaned.

Fast Australian Shipping

We dispatch from within Australia, so orders reach Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Darwin quickly rather than waiting on an overseas shipment. Regional and remote addresses go through the standard Australia Post network.

Dimensions, materials and colour are as supplied by the manufacturer; allow slight variation due to manual measurement. Colour may appear different on screen. Always re-lubricate a chain after cleaning, and check your chain and motorcycle manufacturer's guidance before using any cleaner on a sealed O-ring or X-ring chain.