Cleaning Disc Brakes

[Supersuperleeds]

Gave the new bike its first clean today, I stayed away from the disc brakes apart from sponging the disc that is on the wheel with hot water and then spinning the wheel to get the water off as I am not sure the best way to clean them

Any tips welcome

They are hydraulic brakes on a Sirrus

 

[fossyant]

Soap and water is all you need.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Soap and water is all you need.

Cheers

 

[screenman]

Jet wash.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Jet wash.

I would keep any jet wash away from a bike,not a good mixture.

 

[sidevalve]

Have you tried brake cleaner ?

 

[Cubist]

Either proper brake and clutch cleaner from a car store, which really does the job, but isn't the friendliest of stuff to use, or get a spray bottle of IPA Isopropyl Alcohol off eBay. Spray it on the pads and wipe off and use on a clean rag on your rotors.

DON'T use anything that is "designed to hydrate your brake pads and reduce squeal" as it indeed does reduce squeal, along with any semblance of braking power.

Keep car shampoo off the brakes as well, esp if it contains wax.

 

[screenman]

I would keep any jet wash away from a bike,not a good mixture.

I would suggest that you may not know how to use one. They are a very useful tool and can be seen being used by most professional teams.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Suggest away,been using them & steam cleaners for all sorts of industrial uses for many years.I would say that the pro teams would rebuild & lubricate after every event,if not during the event,they also know exactly what they are doing with them,as do I,but,until told otherwise,I would assume the OP is no expert,hence the question.
Oh,& the bike being a Sirrus would suggest that he is not a pro team.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I was talking to OPQS about cleaning bikes, they stated that sponsorship contracts dictate that the bikes must be kept clean, they informed me that they use pressure washers for convenience and speed to ensure they are not in breach of contract.
They advise cleaning bikes by hand and have released the following video showing how.

Bikes which have been pressure washed have bearings replaced at the first opportunity due to water and detergent being forced trough them at high pressure.
Make of that what you will.

 

[mark st1]

I had my bike cleaned once by a pro teamer .

That hub brush thing is cool that would save me slicing my fingers on spokes and cassette lol. And what is that thing he put in to keep the chain off the frame any ideas ??

 

[grumpyoldgit]

http://www.fine-adc.com/bike-medicine/chain-holder/
Few of them about,various makes.I got a couple of blue plastic ones from crc,or wiggle,about £7 each iirc

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I've got spares Mark ask me next time you break out and I will give you a chain keeper

 

[F1fan]

I give my brakes a squirt or Muc Off Disc brake cleaner every now and then. Seems to do the trick.

 

[screenman]

I can make a pressure washer put less water on the bike than riding in rain can, which is why I have no problem using one. Others seem to think they are an item without adjustment, close up for some parts and a long way off for others.