How to clean my new bike

Rooner
Rooner Posts: 109
edited January 2011 in Road beginners
Hi all

Just after a little advice. I have my first road bike, a now not very shiny Revolution Continental Pro. After riding a couple of weeks in the rain and road crud, it needs a clean and a lube I reckon. I was planning on washing with Muc-off, spraying some of their water dispersant spray as well, and putting some dry lube on the chain.

Its got 105 levers and bits, anywhere else I need to make sure gets some lube? Its all a bit complicated compared to my old MTB beast, so any ideas of what will definitely benefit from a quick squirt would be appreciated!

Thanks!

ps can't believe how much more I enjoy the road bike, its ace!

Comments

  • pilot_pete
    pilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    After riding a couple of weeks in the rain and road crud, it needs a clean and a lube

    My advice would be to wash it after every ride in wet winter conditions............that will be the best hope of keeping it anything like reasonable.

    PP
  • jonmack
    jonmack Posts: 522
    Baby wipes.
  • thesquireofbanwell
    thesquireofbanwell Posts: 132
    Hi, what about this? On your doorstep!

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/w ... bike-18259
    I disapprove of what you say but will defend....your right to say it. Francois-Marie Arouet Voltaire08 Cotic Soda-deceased!10 Bianchi 928 c2c23 Marin Nicasio2
  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    autoglym super resin polish - throws of rain and gruft
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
    Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2
  • geebee2
    geebee2 Posts: 248
    I'm gradually developing my opinions on this.

    Ideally you get the completely bike clean after each ride in wet conditions.

    But.. what's important?

    I'd say #1 is clean rims and brake pads. These will wear badly if left dirty.

    Then #2 is drive chain. The key here I think is to be zealous about removing excess lube *before* you ride, to minimize the dirt that gets picked up. You need a method that isn't too time consuming but does remove grit and stops the drive chain from rusting.

    What's not so important is getting the rest completely clean - some dirt around the bottom bracket or on the down tube, on on stainless spokes is not going to do any permanent damage.
    My new bike
  • chalford
    chalford Posts: 47
    best tip ive eve had, before you go out ,spray bike with gt85, the frame ,everything, just a light film. and it stops all the muck sticking to your bike, didnt beleive till i tried it. but yes it works x and always clean your bike properly, if you look after your bike,it will look after you
  • Rooner
    Rooner Posts: 109
    cheers for the advice! Got some muc-off coming from wiggle today, and some muc-off lube spray, and some dry lube. Bikes going get the full treatment at lunchtime! Definitely need to get into the habit of keeping it clean, its too good to see dirt on it! But I'm not going to get obsessed.......
  • amnesia
    amnesia Posts: 118
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75nZmIKHrkA

    High speed cleaning :D
    2013 Focus Izalco Pro 2.0 UDi2
    1999 Sunn Vertik II MTB - old skool !
  • gary.hounsome
    gary.hounsome Posts: 296
    I've had truoble with my chain gaining some rust over the winter, i clean it every friday and wipe clean the chain every two weeks and re apply lube yet the chain still has rusty bits on it these rusty bits do come off with a good scrub however.
  • Rouge Penguin
    Rouge Penguin Posts: 347
    Felt so Good wrote:
    autoglym super resin polish - throws of rain and gruft

    +1

    Both my Road and MTB are done in this. Much easier to clean afterwards

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