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Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine Review

Reviewed by: Essex Herts MTB -
Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine
We review the Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine. Cleaning your chain is vital after a muddy ride. We find out if the X3's refined design and innovative features makes it any easier.

Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine Introduction

Keeping your chain in good condition is vital to the overall health of your drive-train. Unless its bone dry, a degrease and lube is vital after every ride. Unfortunately battling with your chain device, is the last thing you want to do, when wet and cold at the end of a ride. We see if the Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine, can save time and cut through the grime better than the competition.

  • 120 contact points
  • Fully disassembles so is easy to clean and re-use
  • Heavy duty construction
  • Includes 75ml Muc-Off Drivetrain Cleaner with spray nozzle
  • The SRP of the Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine is £30.00

Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine
"120 contact points"

Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine Design

  • The Muc-Off X3 has a compact design which is easy to take with you on the road.
  • The X3's handle attaches securely is a good size for big and small hands.
  • The handle can be run at two opposite angles, to suit where you have positioned your bike for cleaning.
  • The unit feels like it made from good quality acrylic. It has a robust feel in the hand.
  • The single clip which holds the device together is solid and feels durable.
  • All the Muc-Off X3's cleaning elements are all plastic or bristles, which should mean great longevity.
  • The packaging is smart and the info on the back is useful. However we’re not a fan of packaging you have to destroy to get access to the product.

      • uc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine
      "The single clip which holds the device together is solid and feels durable."

      Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine effectiveness & Durability

      • Adding degreaser to the device is easy, using the small nozzle attachment, on the Muc-Off Drivetrain Cleaner.
      • The degreaser is stored into a small reservoir above the chain. This is then released by pressing a button on the top of the device. This is then forced into the drive train by the rotating brushes. The dirty degreaser then collects in the bottom of the unit. This ensures you’re not re-covering your clean chain in dirty fluid.
      • Attaching the The Muc-Off X3 to the chain is easy. With only one clip to hold it in place we found it more secure than other devices that we have used.
      • The Muc-Off X3 is the tidiest chain cleaner I have used. So much so, that it is the only one I would consider using indoors. While cycling the chain there isn’t any sloshing or splashing. All the degreaser you put in, hits the chain.
      • As the degreaser is directly applied to the chain, I found myself using less degreaser that I normally would.
      • As you would expect the Chain Machine gets your chain clean. It’s not any quicker than other devices though.
      • The X3 is made of mainly plastic parts. This is a good thing! Unlike other chain tools there are few metal surfaces to rust or corrode.
      • The Muc-Off X3 can quickly and easily be fully disassembled. This is great for cleaning it thoroughly. Its also easy to put back together.
      • After a few months use all the cleaning points look is good shape. No bristles have been lost from the brush and the cleaning fins are still in place.
      • Unless you use a small nozzle or reuse the supplied Muc-Off Drivetrain Cleaner bottle getting degreaser in the device is tricky. The top up hole is very small. It would be good to have a big enough hole to allow quick refills.
      • Moving the chain through the device required a fairly firm grip. You have to be careful to not get the device out of alignment with the chain or it will start to catch the edge of the entry and exit ports. However this is no different to a lot of chain devices.
      • The supplied degreaser only lasted 4 chain cleans.

          • uc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine
          "There isn’t any sloshing or splashing of fluid, and all the degreaser you put in hits the chain."

          Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine Test Info

          • Tested – Winter 2014 for 2 months so far.
          • Used on – 9 speed commuter chain, 10 speed winter hack chain, 11 speed XX1 chain
          • Mud Type – Road salt + Grit, Clay and Sand
          • Care level – Good. Dissembled, rinsed and cleaned after every use.
          • Similar products used – Park Cm5, X-Tools CCT

          Muc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine - Final Thoughts

          Chain cleaners have been around for some time now and are all fairly similar. The main issues I've had in the past have been. 1) a lack of robustness with handles popping off and clips pinging open in use. 2) They have been a bit messy with degreaser slopping everywhere. 3) A lack of durability with rusting and issues with metal parts.

          The Muc-Off X3 addresses all of these problems with some neat design features. In addition it offers innovation in the way that the degreaser is applied, and how the used degreaser is separated from the chain. At £30 these features do come at a price, and although it does come with some degreaser it doesn't last long. However I think the features are worth paying for. It has made a job that was always a bit arduous, into one that I don't mind doing.

          Find out more about the Muc-Odd X3 Chain Machine here.

          uc-Off X3 Dirty Chain Machine