Caring for my new bike

[simonf7]

Having finally bitten the bullet and picked up my Boardman CX Team this morning, I want to look after it properly unlike my old mountain bike which got an occasional wipe down and a quick squirt of 4-in-one oil.

What sort of lubricants and cleaning products would be recommended to keep the bike in tip-top condition?

Thanks,

Si

 

[Cuchilo]

Baby wipes

 

[simonf7]

Baby wipes

Should've guessed, already use them for just about everything else!

 

[Citius]

Forget baby wipes - fine for babies' arses, but not much cop for anything else. Bucket, sponge, hot soapy water, followed by a selection of lubricants.

 

[DEFENDER01]

WD40 on a soft cloth is about as good as anything removes the dirt and protects.

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

WD40 on a soft cloth is about as good as anything removes the dirt and protects.

Yes to this; I've just gone back to WD40, tried some of the newer products, wasn't impressed, except by the price! Saying that, I haven't actually cleaned the frame since new, three months(?) I'm going for the rugged look.

 

[winjim]

Hot soapy water for cleaning the big bits, Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the fiddly bits, Autosol for polishing the shiny bits, GT85 for a quick clean inbetween times and as a water dispersant if wet.

Some sort of chain lube, some sort of grease.

A sponge, a scrubbing brush, a toothbrush. Cotton buds for the fiddly bits. An oily rag for the chain. A big roll of Wypall.

 

[RegG]

Give it a good clean with soapy water (if it is really dirty), dry it off with soft towel, then give it a really good coat of decent car polish - the smoother the paintwork the less drag!

 

[bpsmith]

Only needs polish if it's scratched. If it's just for protection, then just wax/sealant will do.

 

[Pale Rider]

Give it a good clean with soapy water (if it is really dirty), dry it off with soft towel, then give it a really good coat of decent car polish - the smoother the paintwork the less drag!

That's what Brailsford at Sky would call a marginal gain.

Probably no measurable effect on a bike, but the RAF polish the fast jets in wartime to make them go faster.

 

[bpsmith]

That's what Brailsford at Sky would call a marginal gain.

Probably no measurable effect on a bike, but the RAF polish the fast jets in wartime to make them go faster.

A waxed frame will deter dirt from sticking which makes you faster, as you are able to ride when you would be cleaning!

 

[Buck]

Rather than wax, you are better going for a sealant. Dirt will stick to the wax more than sealant. Also nano-sealants and glass coats will prevent scratches and scuffs more readily than no protection or just wax.

 

[Tin Pot]

Cycle only in the dry

Microfibre towel to wipe the frame

 

[bpsmith]

Rather than wax, you are better going for a sealant. Dirt will stick to the wax more than sealant. Also nano-sealants and glass coats will prevent scratches and scuffs more readily than no protection or just wax.

I use both. They have different properties and give a different finish too.

Ideally, you would go for a synthetic polymer/carnauba wax which mixes the best bits of a Wax with a Sealant. Something like this:

http://m.wolfgangcarcare.com/wolfgang-fuzion-carnauba-polymer-car-wax.html

Happen to have some left from my detailing days.

 

[mustang1]

All of the above is a palaver. Buy a second bike and use it only in dry weather (or don't use it at all like me) then use the first bike and just take clean the drivetrains once in a while, typically, whenbit makes a noise.

In time, you will wonder what all the fuss was about.

But until you reach the point of getting a second bike, do what the guys say above.

Ps are you going to keep the dork disk on?