Review of Park Tool CM-5 Cyclone Chain Cleaner

Park Tool CM-5 Cyclone Chain Cleaner
By: Park Tool Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 15
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Satisfied customer

On: 2010-02-18

This item was purchased as gift, so I cant comment on it as a product itself, but the company was a pleasure to work with. Shipped and received in two days from ordering!

Park Cyclone

On: 2009-11-01

One of the best chain cleaners Ive ever used. It was recommended by friends thatve been in the bike business most of their lives. Im a gadget guy and this thing is pretty cool thats for sure. Worth the money!!

Works fast, works well

On: 2009-08-31

I bought this after too many years of brushes and other messy approaches to cleaning my chains. Half the time I wondered if it would be better to just buy a cheap new chain! But this gadget really works and I can say that unless Park Tool comes up with something better, Ill never use another cleaning method again. You just fill it full of whatever cleaning fluid youre using, spin the chain for something like 20-30 complete cycles, and youre done. Also, the magnet at the bottom picks up quite a bit of fine (power-like) metal gunk that you dont really see until you dump the cleaning fluid and wipe the inside clean. The "Chain Brite" fluid that comes with it works well; way better than dishwasher soap or some of the other suggestions Ive seen as alternate cleaning fluids.

Here is Alternative Liquid You Can Use

On: 2009-08-10

This chain cleaner is great. Seems very strudy as there is nothing loose moving around insdie that would indicate shoddy design or manufacture. All brushes roate smoothly. I am using Simple Green bio cleaner in this unit as it is half the price at least of the park chain cleaner and it works great. I just cleaned my wifes mountain bike (8 yrs old) never had the chain cleaned and it was gross. Took two cleanings but it is all clean now. My year old trek hybrid was no challenge at all for the Cyclone. I can also see where there would be no problem using another cleaner like 409 as well. Anything that will cut grease and doesnt eat plastic like a pertoleum solvent will be fine. Be sure and clean the Cclone after each use and it should last a long time. Great time saver and I hope this review helps.

This is great!

On: 2009-07-14

It is very easy to set up, use, and clean. After cleaning my chain with this (two minutes), the chain looked like new.

Works like a champ!

On: 2009-05-23

I purchased this unit in a bigger kit for about $35 and have used it six times so far. It works great. Theres a bit of technique to getting to run the chain through and holding the device, but after your first time using its a joke. I clean my chain about every 4 rides- about 200 miles or so. This makes it real convenient by keeping the cleaner right on the chain as opposed to spraying onto your bike. The cleaner works really well too. Using a dry lube, it just comes right off. The majority of garbage on my chain is small pieces of trail: leaves, dirt, etc. nothing substantial, but I clean the chain much more often now that I own this. Though this is the only chain cleaning device Ive owned I highly recommend it.

Not as sturdy as it should be

On: 2009-05-08

This does a good job cleaning your chain for the most part. If you use the brushes along with this you can do a good job. This is the second one that I have owned and my only complaint is that is does not hold up to normal wear and tear. My first one the plastic cracked after only a few uses so it wouldnt hold the cleaner. I am trying to be more cautious with this second one.

Excellent Machine

On: 2009-04-03

Ran it through a dirty chain...works wonders...Well built. The little details help. It is definitely high quality. The price isnt super cheap, but its reasonable, and worth every penny! I have no fear of its breaking down or malfunctioning any time soon. Easy to use. Very robust.

Cleanest Chain In Years

On: 2009-01-25

I used a waxed base lube for years, and found that after a while, it the chain will not come clean because wax simply wont clean off with most bio-cleaners. I never cleaned the chain except with a rag because wax cleaners were supposed to "shed dirt."

That was then, before I knew how clean a chain could be. This unit is well made, holds the chain steady with a stout handle, and has little mess compared to using a brush and rag.

See my photos and you can see that the chain is shiny clean after running the chain through. You do one two cycles - the first to get the grime off, the second for a "rinse cycle."

Great tool, great (as always) Park Quality. If you have a lot of bikes to maintain, this is a great way to go.

Works the way it is supposed too.

On: 2008-11-25

This is a very inexpensive tool, therefore it must handled with some care as it is only plastic. But if you use it properly it works very well.

Park Tool Failure

On: 2008-09-14

Ive owned three of these cleaners. They do a real nice job of cleaning the chain. The biggest problem I had with all three of the units is that they start to fall apart after only a few uses. Two of the units either the hinge point or latch point or both for the two metal clips break away leaving you unable to lock the top to the body. I only use the Park brand of chain cleaner. The third cleaner the actual cleaning brushes fell apart.

Ive ordered the Finish Line chain cleaner. Ill post a review of that product after I have used it for a period of time.

staying hydrated

On: 2008-08-29

These bottles are great to keep on hand at home, at work, on the road, and while out playing. I just ordered two more so I can have one with me everywhere. They are a great way to remind yourself to keep hydrated. The no leak top is nice. And being dishwasher safe is nice alternative to the bottle scrubber that can never quite reach the bottom of some bottles. I now own 4 of these and would buy more as soon as I figure out where else to stash one.

Probably the best chain scrubber I've used

On: 2008-06-18

As usual, this Park product has delivered. The Cyclone is well built and has stood up to many chain cleanings. This is my second one but I pretty much abused the first one as much as someone could and it took it well. Its very solid, it does a good job of cleaning and its easy to get replacement parts for it.

Works Great

On: 2008-03-11

Very effective chain cleaner. Probably not as good as taking your chain off but it does a hell of a job while keeping your chain on the bike. The biggest problem I had was trying to balance my bike while I used the chain cleaner. If you have someone hold the bike you can clean your chain in a flash. A little messy but what do you expect. Ive seen some people complain about it being easy to break but it seems pretty sturdy to me. All in all great product and great price.

Works great for the right price!

On: 2008-01-25

I am a bike novice, but still want to keep my bike clean. Even using "dry" lube, the chain still accumulates dirt and gunk. Although your chain will only be 90% clean, this scrubber will keep your hands clean. Because it gets so much gunk off your chain, you will need to change the fluid 1-2 times before the chain looks clean. The unit also disassembles well for cleaning (every part can come apart so keep track). Bottom line: it works quickly and cleanly and its inexpensive!