Cleaning products

dav1d1

What sort of cleaning lube products do I need for my bike, really new to road cycling, I already wipe it down after every ride, but am looking for other items people use there is a chain cleaner in this months cycling plus magazine which I think I will buy,

rafregt1

This is what I use

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/morgan-blue-com ... th-bucket/

mfin

Fenwicks FS-1 buy a 1 litre thingy of it, it will last aaaages. Use it neat in a chain cleaner as a degreaser, or for soaking parts, wiping off grease etc (dip your hand in a little and you can clean your hands of all sh1te)... then dilute it 10 to 1 and bung it in a trigger spray bottle and its the same as Muc-Off or Sh1t-Shifter for cleaning bikes but cheaper and even a bit better. Although you can just clean the bike with fairy liquid or whatever you use on the car, doesn't matter, avoid ones with wax in, don't really want anything left on it after cleaning.

Then buy a litre of GT85 in a trigger bottle, and when you've finished washing and drying you can spray some of this onto kitchen paper and shine up the frame and remove any bits of grease/muck that you missed. Way cheaper than keeping on buying tins of it, although some people never use it. (Don't spray it on braking surfaces!!)

If you've got a matt frame STP Brake Cleaner is good sprayed on a rag or kitchen roll for removing fingerprinty greasy marks instead of the GT85.

Then you need a chain Lube, people will recommend all sorts. Shimano PTFE is my favourite.

These things above will cost a bit but potentially last you a couple of years for sure and save you money in the long run.

Quick searches...

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/workshop-tools/workshop/lubes-oils-fluids/fenwicks-fs1-bike-cleaner-concentrate-degreaser.html

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Weldtite-GT85-1-Litre-Spray_53128.htm

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-ptfe-dry-lube-100ml/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&kpid=5360507768

owenlars

I use household detergent on the drive and wheels and rinse well. I use baby wipes on the frame and that's it.

People will tell you detergent has salt in it. Never noticed any problem, but that is why I rinse it well.

Currently using TF2 lube but that will probably. change when the bottle is finished.

jonathan2

+1 for fenwicks. Their stealth chain lube is excellent. If you search on youtube, I am sure that there are some videos of a fenwicks 'rep' demonstrating how to use fenwick cleaning and lubing products. In fact, here you go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAKHwyY3Zyg
(youtube 'cleaning road bike with fenwick's)

giant_man

+2 for Fenwicks, good stuff

rickeverett

I kill two birds with one stone and use car cleaning stuff. I find dedicated cycle cleaning stuff overpriced.

Bike never gets a spray. Instead I use a microfibre soaked in a warm tub of water and car wax/cleaner and rinse it out. Wipe down the whole bike and use either wax or white teflon spray on a cloth to shine up a bit at the end.
The best thing I have used for getting the gears and chain clean is White spirit. Sounds bad, but if you do it right, your gear system looks and performs brand new. I take the cassette off and brush down the cogs in a bath of White Spirit, wipe and leave to completely dry. I wipe down the Chainset and derailleur cogs with a cloth.
Then use WS on the chain with a Park Tools Chain Cleaner and let that completely dry. White Spirit strips all the gunk and oil properly and drys fast without risk or rust. But don't get it on any of the mechanical parts!. I then spray and re-lube the chain only and the system looks and performs brand new.

cougie

Is Fenwicks better than Muc Off ? Ta.

markhewitt1978

I've never used any degreaser until I got some MucOff spray on stuff a few weeks ago. Amazing! My cassette is silver not black, who knew?!