best bike cleaning ideas

Nedkelly24

What are you guys using to clean ur bikes??? Products ect. Currently using baby wipes...getting very expensive :-(
any tips welcomed...newby here

Carpenter

Muc off

---

http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/muc-off/cycle-cleaner-500ml

Raam

Washing up liquid and water. Park Tool degreaser for the drive train parts.

531

Mechanics to the pros use soap and water, then use air compressors to dry them.

marketty

BLAST IT WITH...degreaser

rayman1

A small sponge, Washing up liquid and water and dry it off with kitchen paper. Simple and effective.

Crow92

It's all about good utensils, a good sponge, strong yet flexible brush and scrubber will go a long way with water and washing up liquid.

Raam

Fine haired paint brush for the cassette with some degreaser on it. Hold it against the cassette and spin the cranks backwards. Comes up sparkling. On chainrings work the brush in and around both sides.

ednwireland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsk7Cj3HoEQ

or

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/workshop-how-to-clean-and-lube-your-bike-18259/

gman2k

Carpenter wrote: »

Muc off

---

http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/muc-off/cycle-cleaner-500ml

Muc off= Rip off.
It is pressure washer detergent with a pink dye for 10 times the price.
A great bit of marketing, and people think that because it's expensive it must be special.

paddydriver

gman2k wrote: »

Muc off= Rip off.
It is pressure washer detergent with a pink dye for 10 times the price.
A great bit of marketing, and people think that because it's expensive it must be special.

Muc off = the Monster cables of the bike world:pac:

New2bike

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/workshop-how-to-clean-and-lube-your-bike-18259/[/quote]

Excellent article !!

fat bloke

I've stopped using washing up liquid. Someone told me it can leave a lot of residual salts on the bike, which can lead to rust. I didn't find it a problem on my posh bike cos I suppose there's a bit more titanium and stuff in it, and maybe I was more careful about rinsing, drying and lubing, but on my winter bike I started to find spot-rusting on the chain and cassette and elsewhere.
So lately I've been using a car carnuba/wax style thing. You get a big drum of it relatively cheap enough in Halfords and the likes. Degreaser works a treat on the oily bits, though I can sometimes feel some aerosol/ozone guilt afterwards...
I leave the bike to drip dry in the kitchen and lube/oil it up then. Usually douse the whole bike with a liberal spraying of that teflon lube thing in the green can - any and all exposed nuts and bolt and any moving parts - brakes*, cables, levers etc. It adds a nice sheen to the frame too.


*pedant open-invitation -go ahead, knock yourself out.

aFlabbyPanda

I've just been blasting mine with water (small power washer) until its clean, wipe it down, then oiling the bits that nit oiling. Or am I doing it wrong?

fatbhoy

Cleaning your chain

Fender76

I use WD40 as a degreaser for the chainset.. works great.. Is this ok..?

Nedkelly24

Bump...

Raam

Nedkelly24 wrote: »

Bump...

What else ya need to know? Shoot...

bcmf

I washed my bike from 'head to toe' today.
Because it was sunny and I had time.
Fresh clean sponges and a big bucket of warm water with washing up liquid.
Cassette off and wiped each sprocket with a paper towel. An old toothbrush dipped in the soapy water and cleaned the the teeth.Left to dry.
Cranks off and a good soapy scrub.
Gave the wheels a really good wash and left to drip dry.
Gave the whole frame a really good soaping including BB cups.
Brakes off and gave the springs and brake pads a good scrub.
Wiped the heavy water off the frame and wheels and had some lunch.
gave the frame a buff down and applied a thick coat of car wax and left to dry in the sun.
Cleaned the jockey wheels on the rd (you would be surprised how much crud builds up on them and gets transferred into the drive train). Removed the limit springs on the rd and cleaned the holes with a cotton bud. A touch of heavy duty grease and re- intstall*
a bit of silicone spray on the on the pivots.
Give the fd a good scrub and silicon spray on the spring.
Buffed down the wax on the frame and came up lovely and shiny.
Re-assembled everything.
Nothing more then washing up liquid (effectivley a degreaser), warm water, kitchen towels and a bit of car wax.
Happy days

* campy rd's have a habit of these crews seizing so try to stop his happeing

ford2600

bcmf wrote: »

I washed my bike from 'head to toe' today.
Because it was sunny and I had time.
Fresh clean sponges and a big bucket of warm water with washing up liquid.
Cassette off and wiped each sprocket with a paper towel. An old toothbrush dipped in the soapy water and cleaned the the teeth.Left to dry.
Cranks off and a good soapy scrub.
Gave the wheels a really good wash and left to drip dry.
Gave the whole frame a really good soaping including BB cups.
Brakes off and gave the springs and brake pads a good scrub.
Wiped the heavy water off the frame and wheels and had some lunch.
gave the frame a buff down and applied a thick coat of car wax and left to dry in the sun.
Cleaned the jockey wheels on the rd (you would be surprised how much crud builds up on them and gets transferred into the drive train). Removed the limit springs on the rd and cleaned the holes with a cotton bud. A touch of heavy duty grease and re- intstall*
a bit of silicone spray on the on the pivots.
Give the fd a good scrub and silicon spray on the spring.
Buffed down the wax on the frame and came up lovely and shiny.
Re-assembled everything.
Nothing more then washing up liquid (effectivley a degreaser), warm water, kitchen towels and a bit of car wax.
Happy days

Ok to drop bike over tomorrow at 3?

bcmf

ford2600 wrote: »

Ok to drop bike over tomorrow at 3?

No problem.
And bring €50

seven stars

Oi fat bloke, what's this stuff?

fat bloke wrote: »

Usually douse the whole bike with a liberal spraying of that teflon lube thing in the green can -

DaveyDave

I don't like to spend too long cleaning my bike because it gets dirty just as quick so every week or so I go over it with a bike friendly pressure washer, Muc-off and the Park Tool chain cleaner and gear brush.

I'm thinking about skipping the Muc-off completely and just getting some proper degreaser because the pressure washer takes everything off anyway and the Muc-off obviously doesn't work as well as a degreaser. Degreaser seems to be expensive though, I'll have to keep an eye out for some.

C3PO

DaveyDave wrote: »

I'm thinking about skipping the Muc-off completely and just getting some proper degreaser because the pressure washer takes everything off anyway and the Muc-off obviously doesn't work as well as a degreaser. Degreaser seems to be expensive though, I'll have to keep an eye out for some.

I buy Jizer from a motor factors in a 5ltr tin. Cheaper and much more effective than Muc Off. Also leaves a very slight oily residue which apparently gives some rust protection!

I also recently bought a box of disposable surgical gloves which I find great for working/cleaning the bike - less than €10 for 100 gloves and I just reuse them until they fall apart! Best thing I've done for ages!

feck sake lads

Fender76 wrote: »

I use WD40 as a degreaser for the chainset.. works great.. Is this ok..?

NO:eek:

C3PO

feck sake lads wrote: »

NO:eek:

Why not? I would think it's fine to use WD40 as long as you lube the chain afterwards?

feck sake lads

you can't clean a bike in 5 minutes thats a fact.
it takes me a full hour to clean my bike after a ride yeah i clean it every time, i know i'm sick but to be honest i enjoy it :D

all these degreasers are great but be warned they can distroy any part that has bearings like headset /bottom bracket, so when cleaning chain be carefull.
warm soapy water will clean the bike to perfection /white spirits will clean chain /break blocks front and rear mechs/pedals.but use with caution .
polish the frame with car polish.

have fun.:D

MB Lacey

Raam wrote: »

Fine haired paint brush for the cassette with some degreaser on it. Hold it against the cassette and spin the cranks backwards. Comes up sparkling. On chainrings work the brush in and around both sides.

Any advice for cleaning the brushes ?
Just spray them with degreaser and leave them?
after a few cleans of the cassette mine are covered with oil and grit.

MB Lacey

I think my question got lost in weekend threads.
What do people use to clean their cleaning equipment?
Thanks

Raam

MB Lacey wrote: »

I think my question got lost in weekend threads.
What do people use to clean their cleaning equipment?
Thanks

My cleaning equipment comprises...

Chaincleaner thing from Park.
Fine haired paint brush
Small plastic container
Soft-haired bristles for scrubbing the frame
Rags

Everything apart from the rags get rinsed with the hose directly after use. The rags go in the washing machine from time to time.

MB Lacey

Raam wrote: »

My cleaning equipment comprises...

Chaincleaner thing from Park.
Fine haired paint brush
Small plastic container
Soft-haired bristles for scrubbing the frame
Rags

Everything apart from the rags get rinsed with the hose directly after use. The rags go in the washing machine from time to time.

Thanks Raam, does a quick dose of water alone remove the oil and oiled grit you've just removed from your cassette?

I must be cleaning mine better than you :P because my brushes are black with oily grit after cleaning my cassette/ chain.
Aha, it's just dawned on me, if you're using that chain cleaner first, that's what's probably removing most of the oil/ grit before you start with your brushes.
Getting one of those might solve my problem.

Surveyor11

Just be careful with some of the bike cleaning kits out there - the one from Halfords has the potential to wreck paintwork, bristles are far too hard. Handy for chain rings and other dirty parts. I use the Muc-off, agree it 's a bit pricey but lasts me a while (2 bikes cleaned at least weekly).

My routine is to hose the bike down, spray with muc-off then use a weak washing up liquid solution in a bucket to shift stubborn crud. Wash down with water (low pressure hose). I use a car sponge for the frame / shiny parts, a cassette cleaner and chain cleaner tool as well. Good lube up with some wet lube when done and I'm good to go.

Raam

MB Lacey wrote: »

Thanks Raam, does a quick dose of water alone remove the oil and oiled grit you've just removed from your cassette?

I must be cleaning mine better than you :P because my brushes are black with oily grit after cleaning my cassette/ chain.
Aha, it's just dawned on me, if you're using that chain cleaner first, that's what's probably removing most of the oil/ grit before you start with your brushes.
Getting one of those might solve my problem.

For the cassette, I dip the paint brush in greaser and hold it against the cassette so that when I spin the pedals backwards, the hairs get into the gaps and clear out everything. The degreaser aids it.

You are right, the chain and jockey wheels will already have been cleaned using the chain-cleaner and a rag.

Then after the cassette is done, I work the same brush in and out around the chainrings and any other pokey bits. Don't forget to do both sides of the rings.

The sponges in the chaincleaner are probably fairly humming at this stage but it still doe the job. The unit could probably be cleaned out better after use, but I find just blasting it with the hose is fine.

I'll do a few before and after pictures next time I am cleaning one of the bikes.

Seweryn

I never use any specific cleaning agents for the drivetrain (they may do more damage than good). Instead I use chain lubricant that keeps the parts clean and I keep the bike serviced very regularly. Since I started using proper lubes, I see no need for cleaning stuff, wipe down is enough.

Raam

Seweryn wrote: »

I never use any specific cleaning agents for the drivetrain (they may do more damage than good). Instead I use chain lubricant that keeps the parts clean and I keep the bike serviced very regularly. Since I started using proper lubes, I see no need for cleaning stuff, wipe down is enough.

I like that sparkly new chain look

I don't see how a degreaser followed by a proper rinse and some lube will do any more damage.

PersonalJesus

quick links on the chain, pop it off, into a wide neck bottle like those for oasis or yop. couple of glugs of white spirits. Vigourous shaking, leave for a bit, another shake. Rinse chain, wipe off and hang to dry.

Reattach and lube.

Raam

I more or less follow this...
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/bike-washing-and-cleaning

You don't need all their fancy brushes or specific bits n bobs, but the method is what to follow.

Everyone has their own little tweaks to it.

ford2600

Raam wrote: »

I like that sparkly new chain look

I don't see how a degreaser followed by a proper rinse and some lube will do any more damage.

Remember reading KMC blurb about cleaning chains. They were anti any kind of solvent. Think Campag just recommend a rag for chain.

I used to do similar to you, but on new chain have gone solvent free. Will check chain life and compare in a month or so.

Use a rag, held taught to clean cassette. Need to remove wheel but it is a super way to clean between sprockets

Raam

ford2600 wrote: »

Remember reading KMC blurb about cleaning chains. They were anti any kind of solvent. Think Campag just recommend a rag for chain.

I used to do similar to you, but on new chain have gone solvent free. Will check chain life and compare in a month or so.

Use a rag, held taught to clean cassette. Need to remove wheel but it is a super way to clean between sprockets

I used to do that cloth trick too, but I found the paintbrush a bit handier and quicker. It does a better job for me.

@PersonalJesus I just see that as more work! It can be cleaned perfectly by leaving it on. Don't even need the chain cleaner do-hickey either, I just use it cos I have it.

Raam

Actually, I might try using just a bit of soapy water next time instead of the degreaser and see if it does the same job.

Seweryn

Raam wrote: »

I like that sparkly new chain look .

Me too . I actually very much dislike dirty, greasy, gunky chains.

Raam wrote: »

I don't see how a degreaser followed by a proper rinse and some lube will do any more damage.

You would have to rinse the degreaser very well or use Diesel as degreaser, as this would be safer. Any degreaser simply sprayed on the chain will penetrate its internal parts, stay in and will react with fresh lube.

PersonalJesus

Raam wrote: »

I used to do that cloth trick too, but I found the paintbrush a bit handier and quicker. It does a better job for me.

@PersonalJesus I just see that as more work! It can be cleaned perfectly by leaving it on. Don't even need the chain cleaner do-hickey either, I just use it cos I have it.

That depends on how mucky it gets before you remove it!

Im rubbish for remembering to wipe down after use so it could be 3 months between total de-greases. Itll strip everything off and remove grit from between the links effectively. At the same time it gives me access to my chainring for a good scrub.

Raam

PersonalJesus wrote: »

That depends on how mucky it gets before you remove it!

Im rubbish for remembering to wipe down after use so it could be 3 months between total de-greases. Itll strip everything off and remove grit from between the links effectively. At the same time it gives me access to my chainring for a good scrub.

3 months!? I am actually crying here, your poor bike :-(

fightireland

JIF/CIF on white bar tape and saddle - read it here. Works like a treat!

Thanks Boardies!

Unregistered.

Raam wrote: »

Don't even need the chain cleaner do-hickey either, I just use it cos I have it.

How does one clean the brushes in the chain cleaner? Mine are all gunged up, I'm worried that they would only add dirt to my chain

gman2k

Unregistered. wrote: »

How does one clean the brushes in the chain cleaner? Mine are all gunged up, I'm worried that they would only add dirt to my chain

take them out, soak them in diesel for 24 hours.

Raam

Unregistered. wrote: »

How does one clean the brushes in the chain cleaner? Mine are all gunged up, I'm worried that they would only add dirt to my chain

Mine haven't got too bad so I've never tried to clean them. Tempted to try the dish washer!

denbatt

Hate cleaning the bike but the end result is so rewarding. I spent a fue hours cleaning mine saturday. Up on the stand, wheels off, chain off and into roses tin of petrol. Casettes off both wheelsets and into petrol. Saddle off. Front brakes off and dropped out the fork to clean and greese the head bearings. Brushed on some petrol on the rear mesh and chainset. Sponged the bike and wheels with warm water and wash up liquid. Dried and wiped it all down and used some ice wax (car wax)on the frame but all back together and lubed. And buffed the wax off the frame. Week looking dry so hopefully not a total waste of time.

ford2600

Week looking dry so hopefully not a total waste of time"

Never a waste of time. When cleaning old bike last year, noticed a 70 circumference crack on seat tube just above bottom bracket.

Wasn't there or obvious after previous spin

Mugser

I've cleaned mine 1st time using car shampoo and then dried it using a microfibre cloth. Then sealed it using Chemical Guys Jetseal 109: CLICKY Now a quick wip with a dash-board wipe for the stuff that clings does the trick but I find that the Jetseal tends to prevent most of the muck sticking.

Wishbone Ash

fat bloke wrote: »

I leave the bike to drip dry in the kitchen

I wouldn't be allowed next nor near the kitchen with a dry bike nevermind a dripping one! :eek:

C3PO wrote: »

I also recently bought a box of disposable surgical gloves which I find great for working/cleaning the bike - less than €10 for 100 gloves and I just reuse them until they fall apart! Best thing I've done for ages!

It's also useful to keep a few in the saddle bag/backpack etc. for mechanicals to avoid destroying the bar tape.

(PS - don't leave the box out in the shed in winter. Cold air causes the rubber to go brittle and the gloves disintegrate when you go to put them on.)

feck sake lads wrote: »

it takes me a full hour to clean my bike after a ride yeah i clean it every time

I take it you don't use it for commuting - that would be 2 hours per day!

PersonalJesus wrote: »

it could be 3 months between total de-greases

3 months! - I'd consider a week to be pushing it. I'd have changed the chain by 3 months.