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New tires? And cleaning.

tkoppistkoppis Posts: 22
edited February 2013 in Road buying advice
I recently bought a Cannondale CAAD8 105, used. The tires are Schwalbe Lugano, and I wonder if I need to change them? They DO look a bit worn out but I'm not sure how much texture the rubber is supposed to have. And ideas?

bBoR74N.jpg?1

And secondly, I've done a rough cleaning of my bike, but there are still some ugly patches left. What is the best way to get this off? Hand them over to my LBS and let them do the cleaning?

a4h4DII.jpg?1

Posts

  • goonzgoonz Posts: 3,106
    Is that dirt or abrasions in the paint?

    You tried a little white spirit?
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  • zx6manzx6man Posts: 1,092
    Try wet wipes..
  • tkoppistkoppis Posts: 22
    goonz wrote:
    Is that dirt or abrasions in the paint?

    You tried a little white spirit?
    I'm thinking dirt. Will white spirit F-up the frame in any way?
  • WamasWamas Posts: 256
    If wet wipes doesn't work, try a bit of car polish.
  • keef66keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Tyres look OK to me. Ride them till the black bit starts to disappear.

    Try WD40 on the greasy marks; it's about all it's good for.
  • tkoppistkoppis Posts: 22
    I've tried washing with hot water and norwegian soap without success (American equivalent in picture underneath, can't remember what you call it in the UK, green soap, soft soap?)

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  • pkripperpkripper Posts: 652
    A bit of degreaser on that and you won't even know it was there
  • tkoppistkoppis Posts: 22
    pkripper wrote:
    A bit of degreaser on that and you won't even know it was there
    I'll buy a can of WD40 tomorrow and test it, thanks! Should I let it "soak" for a few seconds or just apply and wipe off?

    And how about the tires? Are they worn out or do they still have a few good miles in them?
  • wishitwasallflatwishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    tkoppis wrote:
    pkripper wrote:
    A bit of degreaser on that and you won't even know it was there
    I'll buy a can of WD40 tomorrow and test it, thanks! Should I let it "soak" for a few seconds or just apply and wipe off?

    And how about the tires? Are they worn out or do they still have a few good miles in them?

    I see marks like that on my white frame all the time - I clean mine with warm water and car polish and then rinse with cold water and those marks are always left so I spray WD40 onto a rag and wipe it over and they come off every time - simple.
  • tkoppistkoppis Posts: 22
    Superb!

    One last question: if buying a bike in the UK, will the brakes be reversed from what we're used to in Norway? Here we have front brake L, rear brake R. Asking since my (norwegian) GF lives in the UK and needs a new road racer.
  • ScreaminWargasmScreaminWargasm Posts: 289
    Never knew there was a difference in the design depending on country but the right brake lever in the UK operates the front and left is for the rear.

    Mick
  • ScreaminWargasmScreaminWargasm Posts: 289
    Also, you could probably get a few more miles out of those tyres but I'd soon be looking to replace them with a better tyre like the Conti GP4000S or similar. You will notice the difference for sure!
  • tkoppistkoppis Posts: 22
    Yup, will purchase the GP4000s as soon as I have some money left after buying bike, clothing, pedals and all other equipment :)
  • mrolimroli Posts: 3,622
    The front brake L rear brake R is known as a "European set up" - UK bikes come front brake R, rear brake L. I have heard of a shop that refused to service someone's bike as it was set up "European" style (it was an ex-team bike) as it wasn't "health and safety".
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  • rolf_frolf_f Posts: 16,015
    tkoppis wrote:
    Superb!

    One last question: if buying a bike in the UK, will the brakes be reversed from what we're used to in Norway? Here we have front brake L, rear brake R. Asking since my (norwegian) GF lives in the UK and needs a new road racer.

    If you buy a bike from the sort of place that builds to your spec you can tell the builder which way you want the brakes set up. I use left front and had an (expensive) Look built that way and a far cheaper Ribble also built that way.
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  • smidsysmidsy Posts: 5,273
    mroli wrote:
    I have heard of a shop that refused to service someone's bike as it was set up "European" style (it was an ex-team bike) as it wasn't "health and safety".

    Name and shame :D
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  • tkoppistkoppis Posts: 22
    WD40 was fantastic, thanks alot!
  • thegreatdividethegreatdivide Posts: 5,798
    Use this for stubborn grease and oil marks on every part of your bike, metal or carbon – it also works well on chains too ;-)

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=13869

    I’ve used it to get rid of oil and road grime marks on white clothing too. Dab some on, dab off the mark and then chuck it in the washing machine.
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