bike cleaning

hotaches
hotaches Posts: 6
edited November 2007 in Workshop
hi all

i have just taken delivery of my lovely new ti bike :D , and would like to keep it in showroom condition as long as possible. What would you recommend i use to clean it with and to relube it after each wet or dry ride and should i have a weekly/monthly cleaning plan.
cheers

hotaches

Comments

  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    edited November 2007
    Don't know where I heard this but someone said toothpaste was good for keeping
    a titanium frame polished. At least that's what I think I heard. Anyone?????

    Dennis Noward
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,549
    Toothpaste is a new one on me. I use WD40 on mine, it removes the smears left from washing and gives the titanium a lovely sheen.

    The frame should remain in showroom condition for as long as you have it (mine's 8 years old now and still scrubs up well) but if you want to keep the components in a similar state then I'd recommend a regime of cleaning it a little and often, i.e. at least every other week, to keep them in good nick.
  • ademort
    ademort Posts: 1,924
    WD40 is great for cleaning any type of bike frame and brakes gears chainset e.t.c.As for frequency of cleaning your bike, if you can clean it everytime you have been on a ride that would be ideal, but otherwise as often as you feel it needs it to keep that showroom look. Good luck on your new bike and many happy cycling miles. regards ademort
    ademort
    Chinarello, record and Mavic Cosmic Sl
    Gazelle Vuelta , veloce
    Giant Defy 4
    Mirage Columbus SL
    Batavus Ventura
  • Ken Night
    Ken Night Posts: 2,005
    I have a mirror finish Ti bike and use copper polish to bring up the lustre. It also works nicely on my brushed finish bike

    here's the mirror finish
    afa59a1a.jpg
    “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway
  • socrates
    socrates Posts: 453
    After washing use Pledge furniture polish. It keeps the fingerprints at bay. This advice came from Tom Kellog Spectrum/Merlin. I have tried it and it really does work.
  • hotaches
    hotaches Posts: 6
    thanxs guys for the advice WD40 works a treat, and i have sent the misses out for some pledge :)
    Next Question
    Which do you think is the best brand for keeping the components at their best ?
  • socrates
    socrates Posts: 453
    I use a damp cloth and if they are really dirty a good quality car polish - autoglym/mer. Autosol and the likes are too abrasive.

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