Bike cleaning.

dyson1590
dyson1590 Posts: 73
edited December 2012 in Road buying advice
Hello,

Does anyone use any particular cloths when cleaning their bike off? Just wondering if there are any recommended ones for the dirty jobs like removing excess lube and another for drying/polishing?

Thank you in advance.

Comments

  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Get something lint free so that it does not leave bits behind.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • personally use alot of car cleaning products for cleaning my bike
    find non acidic wheel cleaner with a thick pile brush paticually useful

    bike cleaning brushes are a good buy too getting into tight areas
  • Thanks for the replies,

    I've got all the brushes, it's just the cloths for wiping down I could do with. Has anyone got one of these: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/muc-off-premium ... ing-cloth/ ? Worth it for polishing / drying?
  • duckson
    duckson Posts: 961
    Microfibre cloths, get them in Tesco etc.
    Cheers, Stu
  • bikeit65
    bikeit65 Posts: 998
    Microfibre cloths here
    https://www.instagram.com/seanmcgrathphotography/
    Trek Domane SL7 GEN4
    Planet X RT58
    Cannondale CAAD 10 2012.
    Pain.. Is weakness leaving the body.

    HATING LIFE-CYCLES FROM 2011
  • p1tse
    p1tse Posts: 694
    Bikeit65 wrote:
    Microfibre cloths here
    Is that using them when wet for a wipe down but how about the drive trains
    Wanted: Cube Streamer/Agree GTC Compact / Pro/ Race : 53cm
  • bikeit65
    bikeit65 Posts: 998
    Use baby wipes
    https://www.instagram.com/seanmcgrathphotography/
    Trek Domane SL7 GEN4
    Planet X RT58
    Cannondale CAAD 10 2012.
    Pain.. Is weakness leaving the body.

    HATING LIFE-CYCLES FROM 2011
  • Bikeit65 wrote:
    Use baby wipes

    +1 for the baby wipes
  • Thank you!

    Ordered some microfibre cloths off eBay.
  • mkviken
    mkviken Posts: 217
    MF cloths from b&q (usually 3 packs for price of 2 on kent MF cloths) or asda ones are cheap and good quality


    use them for cleaning the frame, then when theyre dirty start using them for cleaning chain and dirty areas then just bin them theyre so cheap.

    after cleaning i spray on/wipe off some silicon lube as it helps stop dirt from sticking.

    i use baby wipes for cleaning my garmin and helmet
  • + 1 for Baby wipes. 69p at Tesco. Brilliant!

    Best tip I have ever had off here and I have had quite a few fortunately.
  • p1tse
    p1tse Posts: 694
    So microfibres and baby wipes on the frame, handlebar, seat etc but what about the wheels and mechanical parts
    Wanted: Cube Streamer/Agree GTC Compact / Pro/ Race : 53cm
  • nathancom
    nathancom Posts: 1,567
    You can get small steel bristle brushes, size of a toothbrush, in sets of 3 from b&q. I have found these to be excellent in cleaning the drive chain.
  • gsk82
    gsk82 Posts: 3,578
    i clean my frame with car shampoo and a sponge and do the drivetrain with an old sponge followed by some degreaser and a rag, generally an old shirt or bed sheet.

    is any of that a major no-no?
    "Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
  • gsk82 wrote:
    i clean my frame with car shampoo and a sponge and do the drivetrain with an old sponge followed by some degreaser and a rag, generally an old shirt or bed sheet.

    is any of that a major no-no?

    Degreaser is a wonderful invention, saves so much effort on the drivetrain. This is pretty much how I wash mine but I have the muc-off brushes.
  • Old toothbrushes as well - never throw one away again!
  • old shirts/boxers/knickers/t-shirts

    knickers are not mine ;)
    Road - Cannondale CAAD 8 - 7.8kg
    Road - Chinese Carbon Diablo - 6.4kg
  • Philby
    Philby Posts: 328
    Another vote for baby wipes for everything apart from drivechain where I use a degreaser, brush and old cloth before re-lubing. Baby wipes are also good for cleaning white bar tape.