Best and safest way to clean rim

[Dogtrousers]

getting confused here mr trousers, so you do clean rims, even if only "accidentally" by the by when doing other stuff.

I clean the whole bike if it's dirty. Rims and all.

 

[Blue Hills]

ebay.co.uk

:-)

big world out there - it was the supplier I was interested in - now found thanks to other post.

 

[roley poley]

I think its a good idea to keep your rims and pads clean because the scuffy 'orrible sound you can get when braking is a grinding paste being made to wear all those surfaces down

 

[matticus]

I think its a good idea to keep your rims and pads clean because the scuffy 'orrible sound you can get when braking is a grinding paste being made to wear all those surfaces down

Yes: I think cleaning them makes a difference to wear rates, but
makes little/no difference to braking performance.

(who knows - a little extra grit may stop you quicker!)

 

[Profpointy]

big world out there - it was the supplier I was interested in - now found thanks to other post.

Sorry, couldn't resist

That said, as it's a generic chemical a litre of iso-prop is a litre of isoprop so you don't really care who's selling it.

 

[jpj84]

I'm genuinely intrigued how anyone could identify that it's the left pad that's causing squealing, rather than the right. I'm not convinced I could distinguish between front/rear wheel

 

[slowmotion]

Took me a few minutes, but found this.

Ebay is a good source of IPA.

 

[matticus]

I'm genuinely intrigued how anyone could identify that it's the left pad that's causing squealing, rather than the right. I'm not convinced I could distinguish between front/rear wheel

Ha!

Funnliy enough I had the same issue recently. I only knew cos I had the bike on the work-stand - I could see that one pad was contacting before the other, so was able to isolate the squealing.
Being on the commuter I can live with it. I take satisfaction from the banshee wails from some disc brakes on the club-run!

 

[Blue Hills]

Sorry, couldn't resist

That said, as it's a generic chemical a litre of iso-prop is a litre of isoprop so you don't really care who's selling it.

no I don't - but finding the cheapest of anything can take a fair old while on the bay due to sellers using the old trick of having a small size/quantity of something on offer so that they come top of/high up the searches.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I have a spray can of isopropyl alcohol. I got it from the late lamented Maplins. It has lasted me years and will no doubt last years more as I only use about 3 or 4 squirts a year.

 

[Biker2772]

Ive tried cleaning the rim with hot water but i cant get the rim clean because when i wipe it with a white cloth with icopropal alcohol, black dirts comes out. Im not sure if its the reason why my break squeaks.

 

[freiston]

Ive tried cleaning the rim with hot water but i cant get the rim clean because when i wipe it with a white cloth with icopropal alcohol, black dirts comes out. Im not sure if its the reason why my break squeaks.

If you'd said "how do I stop my brakes squeaking" you'd get a radically different set of responses.

If that's your question, I suggest staying a new thread.

I could do with an answer myself.

IMHO a persistent squeak is not likely to be down to dirty rims (though in my experience, sometimes a brake will squeak for a short while after the bike/rims have been cleaned). Like roubaixtuesday said, a new thread asking how to cure a squealing V brake would get you different responses.
I don't have much experience with problematic V brakes - only regular cantis - but the way I understand it is a resonance that is caused by a particular set of circumstances. Sometimes the combination of brake block, brake arm and frame all work together to vibrate, resonate and squeal. If set-up and cleanliness do not resolve the issue, try a different type of brake block. I don't know what you have now but the last brake blocks that I bought were Kool Stop Dura (they're the dual colour salmon/black ones); I like them and they're comparatively cheap.

 

[RoubaixCube]

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?

I dont know if anyone has answered your question yet (too lazy to read through all the pages )

BUT Isopropyl Alcohol should be available from your local pharmaceutical store or chemist as its primary use is for medical purposes, cleaning and disinfecting things like small cuts, grazes etc etc but it just so turns out its also great at eating things like glue residue left from sticky labels and ink from permanent marker.

so check your nearest lloyds & Boots. I dont think Superdrug sells it but you can always ask.

 

[Oldhippy]

Puddles clean rims.

 

[Roseland triker]

Puddles clean rims.

I prefer a hot shower and soap myself

Hot tap plumed into the boiler.