Here’s my review of the Muc Off X3 Chain Cleaner.
Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. I bought this product with my own money, and so this is a completely objective review.
Any self respecting cyclist knows the value of maintaining a clean drivetrain.
Muc Off X3 Chain Cleaner review
When it first launched, this device sold for about £30, which seems a little steep. Thankfully you can now get it online for less than £19.
Here’s a few options for you to consider.
Best price Muc Off X3 Chain Cleaner
This isn’t my first chain cleaning device. Having tried various methods over the years, I’ve gravitated towards those that are less likely to take a long time, less likely to leave your hands filthy and smelly, and less likely to mean that I’ll probably put it off (and inevitably end up running a filthy chain).
My first chain cleaner device was also, coincidentally, a muc off product though older and far simpler in design.
The new X3 Chain Cleaner machine has benefitted from some good clear thinking and design.
The best bike chain cleaner on the market?
Let’s look at what makes the Muc Off X3 shine.
- Controlled application of cleaning fluid.
- The liquid is held in a little reservoir at the top of the unit, and drip fed over the chain by pressing the little button with your thumb. This means you can use it sparingly and control the flow.
- Brushes that apply pressure from all sides. The clever design of the rotary brushes mean the chain is brushed from both the sides AND the top and bottom. This brush sits high up within the unit, so that the dirty liquid runs off and away from the chain.
- Used cleaning liquid is kept out of the way.
Many other devices (my previous Muc Off device included) had rotary brushes which sat in the reservoir of liquid. Whilst this was obviously necessary to get the chain coated initially, after a minute or so, it meant that you were trying to clean your chain using filthy fluid. Hmm…
The Muc Off X3 deals with this issue brilliantly and as long as you wash out the device after use, the brushes should remain pretty clean for the next time.
- A handle to keep it in place.
The handle can be inserted either way up, depending on whether you’ve got the bike on the ground or in a stand. I’m not sure it would make much difference, to be honest. It’s very useful for keeping the device still whilst you’re rotating the cranks, and feels sturdy. - Replaceable parts.
The plastic inserts and the brushes are all replaceable, which is good to know.
Any downsides to the X3 Chain Cleaner?
I worry about the little lugs that help keep it together. It doesn’t keep me up at night, don’t get me wrong…
But if any part of this unit is going to break, that’s where my money lies. So use carefully and gently and it should last a while.
The Muc Off X3 Chain cleaning liquid
This is just as important as the hardware part, if not more so.
Muc Off have come up with an excellent biodegradable degreaser that not only works very well, but it smells fantastic! Hey, bike stuff has to smell good right?
You get a sample bottle of 75ml with the X3 Chain Cleaner device, and this will be good for about three chains. Maybe four if they weren’t too dirty to begin with.
You can get larger 500 ml bottleswhich should last you a while.
Verdict
There are cheaper ways to clean a bike chain but I believe that a product like this is worth paying for because it saves you time and is less messy.
In fact, it’s so quick and convenient that in reality, you’re more likely to do it more often. If this means that your drivetrain is in good condition most of the time, it stands to reason that your components will last longer, and save you money in the long run.
If money is no object, then using this regularly will simply make your bike more enjoyable to ride, and what’s not to like about that?
[taq_review]
Seeing the state of your chain before cleaning I immediately thought of the final line in this PIF ;-) which you too may remember from the 70’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwlWcbFiUfQ. I have a Park Tool cleaner which I don’t use much since discovering Squirt lube, now I just brush off the old wax with a dry Finish Line Grunge Brush http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/cleaning-tools/grunge-brush, then reapply new wax.
Good review though.
Cheers Graham. Yes, why did I let it get that bad in the first place? Hey, that’s life!
Is it wrong to get excited about a chain cleaner that doesn’t splatter grot back on the chain?
You can get excited as you like Marrow, we won’t hold it against you ;-)
I’ve been using Squirt as well, a total convert. Chain, sprockets etc. stay clean, no oil spatter over wheels and hubs etc. Easy to clean, lovely and smooth chain run too, and my chain lasts longer. No way am I sponsored either!
Hi,
Caen’t say I’ll give It a try.
Honestly,my drivetrain is always clean.(as is thevwhole bike.)
I live and ride in a very dry part of Europe so I am mostly gathering dust wich I remover wit a brush and soapy water,afterwards thee drivetrain is lubed wit dry lube from cyclon,it’s a most rewarding product.
regards!
Thanks for this – but a question: I take my chain off to clean it, which means I can effectively wash off the degreasant and dry the chain before I re-apply lubricant. It seems to me that although these devices are ok at getting the dirt off, you will always be left with a deposit of degreasant, combating the new lubricant.
I somehow feel sure that Muc Off have thought about this? Does the Muc Off solvent evaporate away leaving a clean dry chain?
I am not convinced these are a good idea, never wise to get any sort of solvent near the bottom bracket/wheel bearings,
I go for the remove chain, bung it in a bottle of white spirit, shake, rinse in hot soapy water, then healthy amounts of ceramic dry lube approach….but then again I do tend to over maintain/clean everything, I come from the Aircraft Industry!
I also tend to buy new chains and cassettes at the beginning of the year, and I rotate 3 chains on the main bike (each one doing 1000 miles then move on to the next, the cycle back through) this approach lasts me the whole year (about 7k miles out of each cassette, and each chain does just over 2k miles.
As always, look after your kits and it will look after you :-)