Best and safest way to clean rim

[Blue Hills]

people clean rims

surprised that you don't.
Surely on rim-braked bikes you need to keep clean to retain good braking?
and to clean/check pads at same time to remove any debris which will accelerate rim wear?

(also a good opportunity to give general braking system a quick once over)

 

[Dogtrousers]

surprised that you don't.
Surely on rim-braked bikes you need to keep clean to retain good braking?
and to clean/check pads at same time to remove any debris which will accelerate rim wear?

I don't think you need to clean the rims to retain good braking, the brake pads do that for you. No matter how dirty my wheels get, I always have a shiny clean braking track.

But "yes" to cleaning the brake pads.

 

[T4tomo]

I wanted to know what is the best and safest way to clean a expensive rim as it has front hub motor. Thanks

Definitely not whilst riding the bike. Make sure you are stationery not moving, off the bike and the hub motor is off.

 

[si_c]

I clean my (rim-brake) bike rims with an oldtoothbrush dipped in washing-up liquid soaped water. Then wipe muck of with bits of paper. Takes a fair few passes though.

i have thought of using isopropyl alcohol, as much recommended, including above.

Question about it - a search on the websites of both Toolstation and Screwfix doesn't seem to list it.

Which rather surprised me if it's such a good cleaner.

Any reason for this?

Do those switched on tradespeople use something else for such jobs that is just as good/better and cheaper?

Took me a few minutes, but found this.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Definitely not whilst riding the bike. Make sure you are stationery, off the bike and the hub motor is off.

Doing it while not stationery would be pushing the envelope.

 

[Blue Hills]

Took me a few minutes, but found this.

yep - quick searches I've done seem to show about £10 a litre by the time you get it in your hands with shipping.
Which is kinda pricey.
I was wondering whether there was anything cheaper just as good.
i don't need laboratory standard cleaning - just cleaning.

 

[raleighnut]

surprised that you don't.
Surely on rim-braked bikes you need to keep clean to retain good braking?
and to clean/check pads at same time to remove any debris which will accelerate rim wear?

(also a good opportunity to give general braking system a quick once over)

I find riding in the rain cleans them

 

[roley poley]

yep - quick searches I've done seem to show about £10 a litre by the time you get it in your hands with shipping.
Which is kinda pricey.
I was wondering whether there was anything cheaper just as good.
i don't need laboratory standard cleaning - just cleaning.

ipa available on e bay.... mine cost £6.69 for 1L bottle free delivery

 

[matticus]

I thought baby wipes had been cancelled and are now officially evil.

Correct.

ALTHOUGH ... I did read recently see bio-degradable ones mentioned. Needs further research?

IPA:
Yes it's a good cleaner. But it IS hazardous, especially if used indoors e.g. in a bike shop. (we use it at work, but with care + sensible precautions), so I'm reluctant to recommend on a public forum.

Standard (planet friendly!) bike shampoos are more than adequate for rims. Use any rag, or a stiff brush if you prefer - but try to minimise tyre contact.

All IMHO!

 

[tyred]

I've tried all sorts of things but find an old toothbrush and water with a little Fairy liquid (other washing up liquids available) works as well as anything else and is cheap and probably has less environmental impact than using spirit based cleaners.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

You don't say why you want to clean the rim. Cleaning rims is only necessary for cosmetic purposes.

Unless carbon, there's very little you could possibly use that would damage it, unless you're into strong caustic drain cleaner kind of stuff. As others have said, warm water/detergent is a good way to go.

If it's for braking performance and/or rim wear, the brake blocks are what you need to concentrate on, not the rim. They can get swarf/ other crap embedded in them which can have a radical detriment to braking power and rapidly wear through rims. Take a close look at them, remove anything embedded and if in any doubt replace.

 

[Blue Hills]

No matter how dirty my wheels get, I always have a shiny clean braking track.

surprises me - I quite often get black deposits on front and rear rims.
Don't you ever ride in the rain?

 

[Blue Hills]

ipa available on e bay.... mine cost £6.69 for 1L bottle free delivery

link please

 

[biggs682]

people clean rims

I am only getting over the fact that people clean bikes

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Doing it while not stationery would be pushing the envelope.

Fit brushes to your brake blocks?