Cleaning the machine.

Geiger
Geiger Posts: 30
edited August 2008 in Road beginners
How often should I give it a clean and with what? I'm sure you've all noticed the weather this summer has been less than perfect so my first 5 rides on it have gotten it wet, I've wiped the dirt off but I don't know how to go about cleaning the chain, chain rings and all other fiddly bits. Help would be appreciated, thanks.

Geiger.

Comments

  • CheeseyJoe
    CheeseyJoe Posts: 95
    Douse a rag in white spirits (e.g. Turps) and clean the chain with this.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Just a little bit of white spirits will do on the rag, there's no need to douse it :wink:
    I like bikes...

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  • Geiger
    Geiger Posts: 30
    thanking ya, how often should I do this? Every week/month/ride? I'm a complete n00b when it comes to bikes ^^
  • howiejmidlands
    howiejmidlands Posts: 389
    I have wiped the varnish off my bike using Muc Off, washing up liquid and car shampoos!

    Now i use petrol on the cassette and chain, was with very hot water and then use Mr Sheen innro a cloth to polish the shiny frame, on the wheels i use lots of hot water and then Mr Sheen on the bits where the brake pads dont touch.

    When dry, i lube with a liquid dry lube.

    It sings like a sewing machine.
    Just a fat bloke on a bike
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Geiger wrote:
    thanking ya, how often should I do this? Every week/month/ride? I'm a complete n00b when it comes to bikes ^^

    Everytime the chain looses it's shininess is when I do it - and then I lube it up, let the lube soak in and then wipe the excess lube off (not with the rag wet with white spirits though).
    I like bikes...

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  • Geiger
    Geiger Posts: 30
    Ok, cheers guys.

    I got back from a ride this morning (my first decent one :D) and the back brake is rubbing on the wheel, how do I sort it out? I can I change the position of the brake pads or anything?
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    Take a look here:

    http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=20
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    For help with your brakes - take a look here:

    http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=20
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    howiejmidlands wrote:
    I have wiped the varnish off my bike using Muc Off, washing up liquid and car shampoos!
    Muc Off seems to be pretty aggressive stuff. Washing up liquid is very abrasive and has a high sodium content, so is not a great choice for cleaning anything other than the dishes.

    You should be fine with good quality car shampoo though. I use Meguiar's NXT on my bike with no problems.

    For the drivetrain, I give everything a good spray of Finish Line Citrus Degreaser when it gets really mucky. If things are reasonably shiny, I use Pedro's Bio Cleaner (very gentle).

    I give each roller in the chain a dab of Pedro's Ultra Dry, leave overnight and wipe with a dry rag in the morning.

    I also give the frame and tyres a good coating of Pedro's Bike Lust - nice!

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