cleaning the bike
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1391 days
thehitman posted 3 years ago.
For about $20, you can't go wrong with Performance Bike's sale on the Spin Doctor chain cleaning machine with brush and degreaser. If I was ordering now, it would be on my list. There are about a million different lubes. I always hated getting grease on my legs and/or clothes from the chain, and a dry lube pretty much eliminates that. I bought Boeshield T-9, which both cleans and lubes; and I've heard good things about White Lightning dry lube.
And don't forget the rag and spray bottle of Fantastik!
thehitman
thehitman
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Dannyboy posted 3 years ago.
For a lube the Whitelightning is really good, I have used it for years. After I clean my bike I always make sure and re-lube any moving part. This includes the pedals (on the springs and adjustment screws), the headset ( just dab a few drops on the top seal), detailers (both front and rear), and of course the chain. With the chain you want to lube it really good and then wipe of the access, because like thehitman said no one likes getting grease on themselves.
As for what you need to clean your bike... a rag and elbow grease. All of the other stuff in the catalogs just make it easier. If you want to get something though I would first look at a chain cleaner (it is the biggest pain to get clean) and then a good brush for your cogs.
834
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1372 days
JamieM posted 3 years ago.
The whitelightning is great stuff. If you live in a rainy area you should also checkout Pedro's products.
dannyboy is right about the chain cleaner and the brush to clean out the cogs. But I don't think anyone mentioned lubing the cables. I usually use white lightning for that also. Just start with the bike in the large chanring and small cog, then move the shifters to the smallest ring and largest cog without pedaling. This should slack the cables so you can move the housing and get the lube on better.
Other than that I would see if the local shop would show you what they normally do as a standard tune-up. Once a month or so you should go through and check all the bolts for tightness cause it's amazing how things loosen up at precisely the wrong time.
Jamie
180
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1321 days
trigirl97 posted 3 years ago.
I guess this thread has come and gone but a little tip I've picked up over the past year...use Simple Green as a degreaser. I had been buying Pedro's but for $3 I can buy a jumbo bottle of Simple Green. I use it with a toothbrush to degrease my chain, cassette and chainrings. It gets a little foamy but just gently wipe/rinse it off and t works awesome.
The best part is its biodegradable so I can dump it out in my lawn. Plus, it works great in the kitchen!
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." ~T.S. Eliot
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trainDaBrain posted 3 years ago.
wow, that's weird. i just used simple green for the first time this weekend to clean my mountain bike, used a toothbrush on the chain, deraillers, and hard to reach spots. worked great. and i dumped it on my lawn :D
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o2Ripper posted 3 years ago.
How often does everyone clean the chain, and oil/lube the moving parts?
Also, what maintenance stuff does everyone do AFTER every ride?
-Branden
"Its an addiction"
834
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1372 days
JamieM posted 3 years ago.
I usually lube the chain once a week or so, more if I've been riding in dusty or wet conditions.
Once a month I'll throw the bike in the stand, lube the cables, check all the bolts, adjust the shifters brakes, etc.
Before every ride I check the pressure in the tires. Don't do much after every ride, unless it was a wet or dusty ride. Maybe just visually check things out wipe off any grit.
97
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1373 days
xcdave posted 3 years ago.
I'd say get the White Lightning, some degreaser, and start keeping your old toothbrushes :)
I thought i would be able to open my performance bike magazine and pick out the necessary cleaning tools and products. However, after looking through the magazine, I was clueless. I have not clue what i need to keep my bike clean and healthy. I was hoping for some major help. What products are good buys and which ones are must haves? What parts of my bike need to be washed, lubed and degreased? I didn't realize there was so much stuff out there to clean such a small bike!!!!
Thanks ahead for the help
mlbucey
"It's not how much you have left, it's how far you've already gone."