Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine – Review
It’s winter, and your bike is going to get a blasting. Don’t look after it and you’re going to be in for some expensive replacements come spring. We check out the Muc-Off X3 Chain cleaner.
Muc-Off and others have made chain cleaner machines over the years, and they definitely put people into a couple of camps – the toothbrushers and the machiners. (There’s a third camp, the ‘neglecters’ – don’t be one of them!). With bikes and components costing more and more it makes sense to look after them, and given the choice we’d rather be drinking tea than using an old toothbrush on our bike chains. The X3 from Muc-Off is described as the “Ultimate Bicycle Chain Cleaning Device” – a bold claim indeed, so we were eager to give it a go and see just how ultimate it is.
The X3 uses a two part design that uses a slot together and clip over the top design to hold the sections securely on your chain. Inside a combination of wheeled brushes and rubberised ribs attack the grime from all angles, getting right into the links. What sets this apart from other options, or indeed a toothbrush, is the chamber that sits above the chain. This holds the drivetrain cleaner, and is released drop-by-drop onto the chain before running past and collecting below the wheel. The volumes of the top and bottom chamber have been carefully selected so that the dirty fluid doesn’t go back onto your chain. When I first used it, I felt like the flow of cleaner was a little bit slow, but actually it’s spot on as every single bit of cleaner is directed onto the chain.
Another neat little feature is the handle, which can be run at two opposite angles to suit whether or not your bike is in a stand. From both hand positions the button to release the cleaner fluid is well within reach. We’ve been really impressed with just how well it cleans, and just how quickly. Even on an old chain with some ingrained filth, it was sparkling in under a minute, then it was just a matter of giving the chain a tickle with the hose and it was ready for some fresh lube. The plastic is thick and feels like it’s going to last. Tell nan not to bother with socks this year, and get you one of these!
RRP £30.00
