Hi.
Well I am ordering a new tyre today as my back one has had it.
going to order from chainreactioncycles.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... goryID=243
Just wondering what cleaning stuff should I get? Is water and a cloth jsut fine for cleaning the frame? I use my dads car cleaner for the frame too and it does the job fine so maybe I can just use that.
But would like a recommendation for the following:
cleaner for the frame
degreaser
lube for the chain.
Also how do I get all the crap from out of the chain? I remember when Arthur showed me how he got it as good as new but I cant remember how exactly if it was just degreaser and a cloth? On me chian at the moment there is crap loads of grit and stuff in the bits inbetween and looks a nightmare to get out.
I'm not wanting to spend loads, the tyre is 18 quid, I just want the cleaner stuff that can do the job, nothing expensive.
Regarding the tyres.
Is the Continental Ultra Race better than the Continental GP3000 Folding Tyre?
Nothing wrong with folding is there? Wont be harder will it?
Thanks
Willz.
Cleaning stuff
Moderator: Moderators
"lube for the chain.
Also how do I get all the crap from out of the chain? I remember when Arthur showed me how he got it as good as new but I cant remember how exactly if it was just degreaser and a cloth? On me chian at the moment there is crap loads of grit and stuff in the bits inbetween and looks a nightmare to get out."
My technique is to get a good wodge of rag. Spray a generous patch of WD40 into it and then hold it in the palm of your hand and grip it around the lower chain run. Turn the cranks backwards to run the mucky chain through the oily rag. Adjust position of chain so it's on slightly cleaner bit of rag, repeat, repeat etc until chain looks less awful. Lube chain using Finish Line dry lube (it's wet but it dries dry, rather than wet, if that makes sense). Do this after every wet ride and about once a week during dry weather.
Also how do I get all the crap from out of the chain? I remember when Arthur showed me how he got it as good as new but I cant remember how exactly if it was just degreaser and a cloth? On me chian at the moment there is crap loads of grit and stuff in the bits inbetween and looks a nightmare to get out."
My technique is to get a good wodge of rag. Spray a generous patch of WD40 into it and then hold it in the palm of your hand and grip it around the lower chain run. Turn the cranks backwards to run the mucky chain through the oily rag. Adjust position of chain so it's on slightly cleaner bit of rag, repeat, repeat etc until chain looks less awful. Lube chain using Finish Line dry lube (it's wet but it dries dry, rather than wet, if that makes sense). Do this after every wet ride and about once a week during dry weather.
This stuff?PhilBixby wrote:"lube for the chain.
Also how do I get all the crap from out of the chain? I remember when Arthur showed me how he got it as good as new but I cant remember how exactly if it was just degreaser and a cloth? On me chian at the moment there is crap loads of grit and stuff in the bits inbetween and looks a nightmare to get out."
My technique is to get a good wodge of rag. Spray a generous patch of WD40 into it and then hold it in the palm of your hand and grip it around the lower chain run. Turn the cranks backwards to run the mucky chain through the oily rag. Adjust position of chain so it's on slightly cleaner bit of rag, repeat, repeat etc until chain looks less awful. Lube chain using Finish Line dry lube (it's wet but it dries dry, rather than wet, if that makes sense). Do this after every wet ride and about once a week during dry weather.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... odelID=317
I have WD40, just everyone told me it was bad.
Yep, that stuff.
WD40 bad? Well, it depends what you use it for. It's not a lubricant, and I wouldn't spray it on achy knees. But it's a moisture dispersant (so it gets water out of the chain) and a solvent (so it softens and removes lube where it's gone thick and gunky, and tends to take the crap with it). Doesn't sound bad to me!
WD40 bad? Well, it depends what you use it for. It's not a lubricant, and I wouldn't spray it on achy knees. But it's a moisture dispersant (so it gets water out of the chain) and a solvent (so it softens and removes lube where it's gone thick and gunky, and tends to take the crap with it). Doesn't sound bad to me!
Because WD40 is a solvent it is best kept away from hubs (sorry about the pun!), headsets and BBs as it will remove the grease over time but for chains, mechs etc it is fine. I use GT85 which is pretty similar (? costs a bit less) in a similar way to Phil. Remember that it the 'inside' surface of the chain that is the important bit, not the sides of the links.
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MichaelCarter
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 12:16 pm
"wonder what toothpaste would do?"
I've just tried to do some research on the internet to see if toothpaste has ever been used to clean a bike but alas failed to find any evidence.
I do think it is far safer though than doing the reverse and using WD40 in the mouth. I did find one "reported" case, in 1939 a woman called Dorothy used it on her friend Tin Man with dubious levels of success.
I've just tried to do some research on the internet to see if toothpaste has ever been used to clean a bike but alas failed to find any evidence.
I do think it is far safer though than doing the reverse and using WD40 in the mouth. I did find one "reported" case, in 1939 a woman called Dorothy used it on her friend Tin Man with dubious levels of success.
Just had another thought, anyone want to test out mouthwash? Its got alcohol in it and stuff.
Think tommorow I'll wack some of that on the chain give it a good rub and see where it gets me, either way at least I'll have a minty fresh chain!
Think tommorow I'll wack some of that on the chain give it a good rub and see where it gets me, either way at least I'll have a minty fresh chain!
Hmmm, well I only plan on using it for the chain to clean so maybe it will be ok.nickb wrote:I don't think WD40 is very nice to rubber seals, thats why GT85/TF2 etc is made bike specific.willhub wrote:
I have WD40, just everyone told me it was bad.
I'm going to disagree with Phil here. Don't use WD40 to clean your chain, use MucOff instead. It's much better as it's a proper degreaser.
All I did was spray neat mucoff on a rag and run the chain backwards though it a lot. Then rinse the chain with clean water and dry with another bit of rag (just run backwards through a clean bit). Then repeat if needed.
The secret is to do it often so the chain never gets really dirty.
For cleaning the frame etc, car cleaner will work fine. I use dilute mucoff for that as well, but if you dad is paying for the car cleaner, just use that!
All I did was spray neat mucoff on a rag and run the chain backwards though it a lot. Then rinse the chain with clean water and dry with another bit of rag (just run backwards through a clean bit). Then repeat if needed.
The secret is to do it often so the chain never gets really dirty.
For cleaning the frame etc, car cleaner will work fine. I use dilute mucoff for that as well, but if you dad is paying for the car cleaner, just use that!
I've recently started using WD40 to lube my chain - it seems to do the trick and you can get it Asda! A chains a consumable component - I'd change it every 3 months or so anyway and am sick of the unnecessary expense of cycling specific spray lubes.
I clean my bike with washing up liquid. Seems to work although I do use a spray on degreaser to clean the chain and greasy components on the occasional occasion when I do a good cleaning job. I will then rinse with clean water.
However I've also recently discovered baby wipes do a really good cleaning job - even on the chain - I think they must contain alchohol and are great for a quick wipe over.
I clean my bike with washing up liquid. Seems to work although I do use a spray on degreaser to clean the chain and greasy components on the occasional occasion when I do a good cleaning job. I will then rinse with clean water.
However I've also recently discovered baby wipes do a really good cleaning job - even on the chain - I think they must contain alchohol and are great for a quick wipe over.
I think you'll find a banana skin to clean the chain works well. Simply rub it all over the chain, leave for five mins and wipe with a dry cloth. I can't believe non of you have come across this already - thought is was common knowledge. Obviously the advantages of this system are that it is virtually free and can be done out on a ride.
To lube the chain use washing up liquid (has to be fairy, not any of this imitation own-brand stuff). Use sparingly.
I think you'll find that that is the recipe for an efficient, silent chain that will take you to many PB's....
To lube the chain use washing up liquid (has to be fairy, not any of this imitation own-brand stuff). Use sparingly.
I think you'll find that that is the recipe for an efficient, silent chain that will take you to many PB's....