Best way to clean a bike after a muddy/non muddy ride?
daniel_b
Posts: 12,064
Guys,
I am technically inept when it comes to bikes, so my present 'cleaning' attempts for both mine and my gf's bikes are limited to:
1: Bucket of hot water poured liberally over to loosen all the mud, especially a lot concentrated on the rear cassette, rear changer, front cogs and front changer.
2: Bucket of hotwater with turtle wax in, wash liberally with a sponge all over, try and get the gunk out from around the front changer.
3: Bucket of hot water poured liberally over to wash all the soap off.
4: Let it dry, outsied if a nice day, or inside if not.
5: GT85 the chain and cogs.
That's it.
I'm planning to buy a new chain, and will fir an SRAM powerlink thing, so I can take the chain off to clean it and the cogs properly, but are there any magic methods, rules I should be following to keep our bikes running sweet?
I bought one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360008862&n=White%20Lightning%20Original%20Lubricant%208.0oz%20Bottle a few weeks ago, but have yet to use it, is this what I want to use once I have cleaned the chain, to re-lube it?
Are there any specific tricks to cleaning/de-greasing the chain?
There's nothing worse than graunchy, grinding gears :?
Your advice and tips would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Dan
I am technically inept when it comes to bikes, so my present 'cleaning' attempts for both mine and my gf's bikes are limited to:
1: Bucket of hot water poured liberally over to loosen all the mud, especially a lot concentrated on the rear cassette, rear changer, front cogs and front changer.
2: Bucket of hotwater with turtle wax in, wash liberally with a sponge all over, try and get the gunk out from around the front changer.
3: Bucket of hot water poured liberally over to wash all the soap off.
4: Let it dry, outsied if a nice day, or inside if not.
5: GT85 the chain and cogs.
That's it.
I'm planning to buy a new chain, and will fir an SRAM powerlink thing, so I can take the chain off to clean it and the cogs properly, but are there any magic methods, rules I should be following to keep our bikes running sweet?
I bought one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360008862&n=White%20Lightning%20Original%20Lubricant%208.0oz%20Bottle a few weeks ago, but have yet to use it, is this what I want to use once I have cleaned the chain, to re-lube it?
Are there any specific tricks to cleaning/de-greasing the chain?
There's nothing worse than graunchy, grinding gears :?
Your advice and tips would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Dan
Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 18
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 18
0
Comments
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Guess what Parktools has the definative guide to cleaning a bike.
turtle wax is not a good idea if you have disc brakes.
GT85 is not a chain lube."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
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Thanks both, will check those out
Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 180 -
Have a look at Finish Line Cross Country Wetlube for your chain
If my chain is lucky, I'll degrease it once in a while too.
GT85 or WD40 are for loosening sticking components not chainlube.
I put a tiny bit of WD40 on my mechs or to stop brake levers squeaking but don't use it anywhere else on my bike.Dave S0 -
HUGE bottles of MucOff are cheap at Evans. I needed to finish off some cleaning yesterday and that and some lubricant set me back just over a tenner. Barring a bit of a mare with my brakes, the process was simple and the whole thing is trouble free now.0
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S_J_P wrote:Muc-Off also have a Cleaning Guide which is quite useful.
Have got some of their products but this "guide" is a bit of a blatant attempt at getting us to all spend £100++ on more of their stuff!0
