Cleaning your bike... Tips & Tricks

Cheers Glitch.

To be honest I'm pretty much of the same opinion as SDK^ and so far have changed the components rather than tried to make them last forever and a day. I run a Deore/LX combination for the chain/chainset/ders and with the mileage (40 to 60 miles a week) and conditions I ride it in (commute/all weathers) so it's probably easier just to replace the lot every 6 months! :)
 
Tip!

If you live in a flat (this applies if its a ground floor with some space out the front, but in a ***** area), whip the front wheel off and the bike should fit nicely into your bath for a quick spray with dirt attack and then a rinse down with the shower head! :D

Jobs a gooden :D
 
I've heard of people having problems with Muc-off, specifically it discolouring anodised parts if not completely rinsed off.

Personally I don't clean any part of my bike after a ride except all the mud I can rub off, I just let the rest dry then attack it with a chain cleaner. I used to remove the chain regularly and soak it in degreaser, but the time and effort involved makes it a pointless task. I replace my chains regularly as I use Deore ones at about 7 quid each, so a regular and full cleaning regime just isn't worth it.

Similarly, I use Deore chainrings as they cost pennies and last forever.

My chemical of choice is Finish Line Eco-tec, or whatever it's called these days. It dilutes really well so represents good value. I use Finish Line green all year round, and Fox Float Fluid on my shock and forks to keep them running smoothly.

al
 
Bit of a resurrection i know but now the weather is better i dug out my bike from the garage and realised it needs a good clean.

Halfords are doing buy 3 for the price of 2 on cleaners and lubes at the moment if that helps anyone.
 
I just hose mine down when the mud's still wet, spray the mechs and cassette with GT85, and chuck the chain in my Awesome Tupperware Chain Cleaner, which is 3 tupperwarer food boxes from Tesco filled with kerosene. Box one is manky, goes in there, gets a shake, gets taken out and thrown in box 2, then box 3, which is pretty clean. 1 minute for the entire process and it comes out absolutely spotless, for a total cash investment of £8 including 5 litres of kerosene. When the clean box gets dirty, I empty the dirty box and refill, and it becomes the new clean box. perfect!

I like to wipe the frame down with bike spray, just because it immediately looks miles cleaner, and mud doesn't stick to it as much.
 
I got sick of paying for Muc Off so got some Fenwick's concentrate. Works out to around £1 a litre so a lot cheaper than Muc Off and seems just as good at regular cleaning.

Meant to be usable as a degreaser if you use it neat but don't think it was as good as other specalist degreasers.
 
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