How can I clean my bike

Afzalanwar
Afzalanwar Posts: 15
edited September 2014 in MTB beginners
Hi All,

I am new to the Mountain Bike world (since I was a kid a fair few years ago) and have decided to use this as alternative transport to work as well as weekend riding :)

I have just picked up a 2 year old Cube LTD Pro 26 in a satin/matte bronze colour and am looking to bring it back to life... however, I am having a bit of difficulty giving it a clean.

I have attached pictures of the current condition of the bike, I am attempting to start off by cleaning the underside of the frame which has gone black. So far I have tried giving using warm soapy water followed by 'Muc-Off Bio De-greaser' which made no difference whatsoever.

I am seeking advice to how I can clean off all the black stuff bringing the colour of the bike back to life.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Many Thanks

Aff





Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Are you sure that it was nit satin black to start with?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    Definitely not, its black as if it's dirty...
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Do me a favor and remove the seat pits clamp ANC look at the finish under it.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    Just had a quick look before heading to work, the finish is the same as the rest of the bike... satin/matt bronze
  • Long_Time_Lurker
    Long_Time_Lurker Posts: 1,068
    I have a Cube Ltd SL, my riding mate has the Pro - both use the same RFR frame.
    I don't think they ever came in that colour either. I would bet that it is a respray.
    2007 Felt Q720 (the ratbike)
    2012 Cube Ltd SL (the hardtail XC 26er)
    2014 Lapierre Zesty TR 329 (the full-sus 29er)
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    As far as I am aware this was a limited colour....It's definitely the colour from factory as all of the logos/markings etc around the frame are absolutely spot on. I have worked in the automotive industry and can sense/notice a re-spray a mile off.
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    The bike definitely just needs a clean, just need to know what to use without damaging the paint :(
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    My thought is a respray, the details on that frame are VERY similar to on my Kraken including
    1/ Shape of headtube
    2/ Shape of downtube
    3/ Attachment of top and downtube with Gusset at head tube
    4/ Provision of rack bolts on seat stays by the bridge (it looks like on yours)

    See link in my sig, go to page 1 and scroll down to the daylight photo, mine is a smaller frame, that looks like an 18", mine is a 16".

    Exact copy logo's are readily available on ebay.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Briggo
    Briggo Posts: 3,537
    That doesnt look like a cube frame, the extra butting under the downtube joining at the headtube doesn't look like a typical Cube thing.
    Afzalanwar wrote:
    I have worked in the automotive industry and can sense/notice a re-spray a mile off.

    Reeeeaaaaaallllllly.
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    Sorry, do you mean have a re-spray or its had a re-spray.... and are you suggesting it may be a Carrera Kraken and not A Cube Ltd Pro?

    The Frame is a 20"

    thanks

    Aff
  • Long_Time_Lurker
    Long_Time_Lurker Posts: 1,068
    I'll admit that I do have my suspicions. I've just spotted the 'gusset' that Rookie mentions. That is a solid piece on a Cube (or at least it is welded to look like one).

    Also worth checking the decals - they are not stickers on a Cube - they are encorporated into the anadizing process, so they don't come off.
    2007 Felt Q720 (the ratbike)
    2012 Cube Ltd SL (the hardtail XC 26er)
    2014 Lapierre Zesty TR 329 (the full-sus 29er)
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Afzalanwar wrote:
    Sorry, do you mean have a re-spray or its had a re-spray.... and are you suggesting it may be a Carrera Kraken and not A Cube Ltd Pro?

    The Frame is a 20"

    thanks

    Aff
    That looks like a Carrera hardtail frame that has been stripped and resprayed 'properly' with Cube logo's attached for BS effect. All Carrera HT frames are the same, Vulcan, Vengeance, Kraken and Fury (usually they all change at the same year together).

    If you can get the frame number off the BB shell and a photo of the rear dropout with the mech hanger then I'll know for 99% (Carrera frames are made by Merida so have similarities with other Merida frames, so you can never be 100%).

    Of course one reason they are resprayed is to hide the fact they are knicked, but it's usually a poor quality job.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    Long Time Lurker wrote:
    I'll admit that I do have my suspicions. I've just spotted the 'gusset' that Rookie mentions. That is a solid piece on a Cube (or at least it is welded to look like one).

    Also worth checking the decals - they are not stickers on a Cube - they are encorporated into the anadizing process, so they don't come off.

    Hi Chaps,

    First of all thank you for all your advice and input. I have just dropped the bike off to my local bike specialist for a service who have confirmed it is a genuine Cube LTD Pro Hardtail with original paint (all stickers and manufacture markings are incorporated into the paint/aluminium and are not stickers).

    Their explanation of the underside of the frame being darker than the rest of the frame was due to Cube limiting the use of paint in such areas for weight purposes and is apparently this is fairly common with Cube's.

    Now to wait for my bike back all serviced and looking clean :)

    Thank you once again!
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    Turns out its a little more than 2 years old, it's a 2008 model!

    As long as it rides well :D
  • Long_Time_Lurker
    Long_Time_Lurker Posts: 1,068
    Afzalanwar wrote:
    ...limiting the use of paint in such areas for weight purposes and is apparently this is fairly common with Cube's.
    Not sure whether it is for weight, or whether they are just being cheap, but that one I can confirm :lol:
    I can almost see the metal on my bottom bracket where it is supposed to be grey.
    (I don't know how much paint they use or how heavy it is at the Cube factory, but the different colours of each bike used to have a differemt weight in their brochures.)
    2007 Felt Q720 (the ratbike)
    2012 Cube Ltd SL (the hardtail XC 26er)
    2014 Lapierre Zesty TR 329 (the full-sus 29er)
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    No way! literally saving every pound! (£/lbs) lol
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Still can't find any other Cube HT that looks like that, so unless they bought the frame from Merida for the limited edition..........want to post a photo of that dropout?

    Also why paint it black over the primer under gold and then save (something) by not painting gold on top.....would have been easier to just paint it gold, so the black effect is deliberate.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    The Rookie wrote:
    That looks like a Carrera hardtail frame that has been stripped and resprayed 'properly' with Cube logo's attached for BS effect. All Carrera HT frames are the same, Vulcan, Vengeance, Kraken and Fury (usually they all change at the same year together).

    If you can get the frame number off the BB shell and a photo of the rear dropout with the mech hanger then I'll know for 99% (Carrera frames are made by Merida so have similarities with other Merida frames, so you can never be 100%).

    Of course one reason they are resprayed is to hide the fact they are knicked, but it's usually a poor quality job.

    Here you go Rookie.. please see pics of dropout and BB shell below.

    Guys,

    you need to remember this is a 2008 model and the Cube LTD Pro HT seems to have moved on a fair bit since then, also I think I may have been a bit leading in my description of the underframe, as you can see from the pic of the BB shell its not actually 'Black', Its still bronze/gold but just slightly darker... I have done some research on 2008 Cube's and have come accross very similar if not exact frame arrangement. As mentioned the decals are spot on, feels as though they are integrated into the frame as a part of the Aluminium/Paint process. To do this post a 'proper' re-spray seems as though it would be impossible (seems more like a laser jobby).




  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Not a Carrera with that rear dropout, the main frame numbers looks like it could be Merida but you don't usually get the other numbers.

    Still surprised that I can't find any other cube with that tube jointing to the head tube!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    Yes it's not a Carrera because it’s a CUBE as serviced and confirmed by my local bike specialist!

    For those who can’t find a similar or exact head tube welding arrangement on a ‘CUBE’ take your pick from the links below (there’s even some here on this forum!):

    viewtopic.php?f=10002&t=12575119

    http://www.mtb-forum.eu/cube-access-wls ... 451-2.html

    http://www.100ciclisti.com/bm/bike/prof ... ikeID=1263

    http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic ... s-2008-120

    http://www.100ciclisti.com/bm/bike/prof ... h3s1Iw/Jw=

    And there's a lot more..
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    The Rookie wrote:
    Not a Carrera with that rear dropout, the main frame numbers looks like it could be Merida but you don't usually get the other numbers.

    Still surprised that I can't find any other cube with that tube jointing to the head tube!

    Why do you not think it's a Cube? :? As the OP says, Googling '2008 Cube Ltd' shows loads of frames the same design... If I had to guess I'd say it was black originally, but has been attacked by Muc Off or similar, although the OP confirms it's meant to be that colour.

    It looks like a completely legit Cube to me...
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    Thank you njee20! :)

    Having touch and felt the I would disagree that it has been re-sprayed as nothing suggests this apart from forum members who have not even seen the bike in person and are only speculating based on pictures; Based on the high quality finish and standard if there was even the slightest possibility the only acceptable explanation could be the bike re-sprayed by Cube or a authorised cube dealer themselves (highly doubtful) as the decals are embedded into the frame as a part of the original manufacturing process. Just to re-iterate the frame is not actually black anywhere to suggest a former colour or basecoat.
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    It doesn't look like a respray to me, but like I say, it looks like an anodised frame which has had MucOff left on it for too long - it goes to that brownish bronze colour, and would explain the mottled pattern under the BB. As long as you're happy though it doesn't really matter.
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    njee20 wrote:
    As long as you're happy though it doesn't really matter.

    :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
  • Afzalanwar
    Afzalanwar Posts: 15
    The Rookie wrote:
    My thought is a respray, the details on that frame are VERY similar to on my Kraken including
    1/ Shape of headtube
    2/ Shape of downtube
    3/ Attachment of top and downtube with Gusset at head tube
    4/ Provision of rack bolts on seat stays by the bridge (it looks like on yours)

    See link in my sig, go to page 1 and scroll down to the daylight photo, mine is a smaller frame, that looks like an 18", mine is a 16".

    Exact copy logo's are readily available on ebay.

    Now that it's confirmed that this is a genuine Pro LTD, for those of you who are betting on this being a re-spray here's an educating video I have just come across showing the step by step process each Cube frame undergoes:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPJbx2sSoIg

    No chance of this having had a re-spray! The decals are spot on having gone through the 'negative decoration' process.

    Turns out I have a one off (Ltd Edition) on my hands after all

    Happy days! :lol:

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