Park Tool CM-5.2 vs CM-25: Bike chain cleaner comparison
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- čas přidán 18. 05. 2020
- Comparison of Park Tool's bicycle chain cleaners: the consumer CM-5.2 and professional CM-25.
The CM-5.2 is made from a brittle plastic that leads to stress cracking at the lid latches and catastrophic failure if dropped.
The CM-25 handle wiggles and the cartridge's drying sponge & cloth fall out, all because of unconventional design choices.
It doesn't seem like either is appropriate for my usage (1x or more per week). - Zábava
Excellent review! Thank you for the carefully thought-out/explained details. Park Tool should be grateful to you for clearly brining these concerns to light.
I agree with you 100% on these reviews. I just wish that I saw this before I blew 90 bucks for the pro version. The issues that you described are spot on.
That was a detailed and thorough review with perfect filming, thanks a lot !
Thank you for the quick comparison. I hope you figured out how to enjoy it. Oh, and thanks for saving me 90 bucks!
I have been using the cm-5 which is the predecessor of the cm-5.2 for the last 10 years on a regular basis (weekly in the winter time). There is one small crack in the body but it still works.
I have the original Park CM-5, over 25 years old now. It's been used well over 50 times, maybe over 100. I run the brushes until they are pretty bad, and the second set are near the end. I don't use solvent-based cleaners and I haven't dropped it, so it doesn't have any cracks. They aren't intended to last forever, and I'm very happy with the service I've gotten out of mine.
I think solvent based cleaners are the real issue here. They weaken the plastic.
@blubaughmr This is an excellent point, and valuable feedback for those of us balking at the price of the pro model. It is important to note that the CM-5 comes with a citrus based cleaner, which is what is recommended to use with it. It's very likely the stronger petroleum based solvent type cleaners are MUCH harder on the plastic, and likely drying it out to the point of becoming brittle. It seems to me something like a gallon of Zep citrus degreaser made from orange peels would be more appropriate, and can be had for under $15 and last a LONG time.
Sorry guy, I know you are trying to offer a pointful critique, but it seems like you are obsessing over a couple things that can be solved relatively easy, and not saying anything about more important ones.
I assume the little white cloths are perhaps 1/8" thick felt? Just get some 3mm thick felt sheets and cut your own strips. I imagine making the top one just a tad longer would make it stay in place. Felt wicks well, and if the stock ones are made of something else, felt would probably last longer anyway. Even the foam pads could be made from a piece of the same thickness foam by just using a common modeling knife.
As for the slop in the handle, I've seen some use these tools just by holding the case itself with no handle. You'll likely need gloves to avoid drips, but nitrile gloves are a good idea anytime cleaning a bike. Even if insisting on using the handle, cut a couple appropriate thickness strips of hard rubber to the right length and wedge or glue them on either side of the slot to take up the slop. Mind you though, I agree completely Park should have sized the slots or handle plate more precisely.
As for what I consider to be an important missed part of the review, is whether the brush bristles on the pro model fall out like many say they do on the plastic one? That can be a hassle, especially when they get caught in your chain. I'm guessing from the prices I've seen on brush replacement kits for both tools though, they are probably the same quality and fall out.
Even the brush bristles (if same as the ones in the cheaper kit), could be held in place better by injecting a drop or two of penetrating epoxy at the base of each bristle bundle, but that would be a real hassle to do. Best reviews come from actually USING the product. 😉
Lastly, you failed to note that the plastic model comes with CITRUS based bio degreaser, and I'm pretty sure Park recommends using that type. You spent a lot of time talking about the design of the shell, but when you don't say what degreaser you used, I have to be skeptical. A petroleum based spirit is likely going to dry out the plastic and make it brittle.
Maybe the plastic is effected by the type of cleaner used.
Thanks for review. I’m not concerned with handle. I figure I can fix that if it bothers me. For the sponge and cloth, I think I can replace with something that works. I picked up a used one from a shop that is closing. I like the body of the CM-25 and hopefully longevity. It came with a replacement brush kit so should be good.
pretty much spot on except for the part you dropped and cracked the plastic one. Linus has got first hand painful experience in that department.
Thank you.👍
Great Review.. SO, what unit would YOU recommend?? Thanks, NEW Subscriber 🇺🇸
Great video- very helpful, thanks for sharing :) Perhaps the 'Finish Line' chain scrubber might be another option? Apparently it is made from a tougher plastic that is more impact resistant. In truth though, I don't think that any of these chain scrubber devices will last THAT long.
My favorite phrase in a comparison video is " I DON'T KNOW"
I'll start by saying that I wish I had watched this review before placing an impulse order for the "professional" version of this tool. I have used the consumer (plastic) version of this product extensively. When it worked, I had few complaints. When it didn't work, it wasn't for any of the reasons cited in this review. I have dropped the cleaner before, but it never resulted in the damage depicted in this video. Typically, when I drop the unit, all of the internal parts fly out. Those are easily reinserted and the unit functions as before. I'm not refuting anything Mr. Street is claiming. Obviously, he has evidence. I guess I have just been a little lucky.
I decided to try the professional version of this tool because I thought it had features that might address some issues I have. For example, I noticed that the lid of the professional version is hinged, thus permanently attached. I have a movement disorder that makes positioning the cleaner, aligning the top and securing the clamps more challenging than that might otherwise be. I thought that the hinged lid would alleviate some of the difficulty. Also, I thought that the aluminum casing might make the unit more durable and reliable. Apparently, that might not be the case. It seems that little effort went into the design and engineering of the internals.
At the time of this writing, I am still waiting to receive my order, so the jury is still out.
Perhaps it was just my equipment, but throughout the presentation, I found myself wondering why Mr. Street chose to whisper. The voice level was quite low. To compensate, I had to crank up the volume quite a bit. Was it me?
Wich one its better?
@@1988howie since posting my comment, I have used the CM-25 only once. Consequently, it's probably too early to make a judgment. It seemed to do a better job of "drying" the chain than does its plastic counterpart. Having said that, however, my chainrings dripped for several days after. I'm not sure where all of that excess fluid was coming from. Based on my limited experience, it's too early for me to venture an opinion.
Edgar thanks for your answer, I really apreciate it! Thats make me think to take the best decision and choose one of them, thanks again
@AG Coarseman I agree that dripping for days seems a little over the top, even if the bike hasn't been riding after the chain's been cleaned. I say this especially because solvants are usually quite volatile compounds so it should have evaporated long before that hard-to-believe multi-day-dripping ended...
Thank you. I was considering buying either of these. Now I'm not so sure.
Why did you disable comments on your next video
I have an older chain cleaner by Park, a CM-3. It has held up, but it's not terribly effective. As good as the rest of their tools are, you would think Park could make a good chain cleaner...
I have two of those 5.2. I can say that, because its plastic, its durability is also highly dependent on what chemicals you use to clean the chain, some solvents may interact with the plastic leaving it more brittle. In my case i stopped using it because i stopped to ride so much in dirt/rain and nowadays i just use a wet wipe and some wd-40 to clean the cassete, let it dry and then lube before i ride.
I've been slowly but surely moving away from park tool as many of their tools are very poor quality but still expensive. They do still make some quality tools but those are very expensive. Now it's not that I have a problem with pricey tools as I only buy quality tools that are expensive. But nothing is worse than ponying up only to be handed a turd. It really puts a sour taste in your mouth and that's why I've been moving to the likes of Wera, Wheels Manufacturing, Pedros, Knipex, Abbey Tools, and some others. There are still some Park Tools that I like and own but that's been my experience.
you could add some rubber to stop the handle frm moving, this seems more like a hugh janus criticism. the plastic one smellz like crap, taper or not on the handle !
Hey Jeff, I would love to purchase your 3D printer mod for the CM-25. Can you please reach out to me and assist me with this? Thanks!
Hey! I don't have a 3D printer at the moment, so just download the file linked in the description of the detail video and upload to a service like shapeways. czcams.com/video/1dssBc_RmL8/video.html
Well!,..... It looks like Park Tool needs to work a little on their design. Man oh man..... For that kind of money for the more expensive one, there should be no kind of issue at all! Thanks for the heads up.
I have the same issue the pin fell out on one side. Park will replace it if you go line. A pain but they make you insure to them it's a park by taking a picture of the code.
how do you clean your chain then?
Probably...the cloth for the upper part wasn't supposed to be the same ...also with the sponge ?... but the chinese said that is working like that too...why to get complicated... :)) Otherwise, the product is clearly a long term one...
Park Tool needs to get a German to redesign and manufacture the thing. Then it will work flawlessly.
Maybe abbey or wera should make one, it'll be piss off expensive but exceptional in every way, even ways you didn't ever notice lmao.
man....parktool is ripping us off...
bro , why are you whispering ?
I agree. I could barely listen all the way through this. Terrible narration. Took notes so I don't need to watch this again.
No offense, but you are obsessing over the most insignificant shit. Who cares if the f-ing handle rattles? Seriously. Compare the functioning of the products instead.
I have decent amount of park tools and to be frank, almost all of them are over priced crap. I would understood if they would be really good designed and quality tools for that price, but it feels like they just using their brand to sell third grade tools.
the plastic one seems like a massive pile of shit.