Cleaning question

[ScottyManc]

Planned on a 40 / 50 miler today but the weather is tripe. That won't stop me going out, just wondering - what kind of cleaning should I embark on when I get back? I always give the bike a wipe down if there's any muck on it but having done 160 miles on it now just wondering if there is anything relating to the chain / crank etc that I should be focusing on, especially if I'm doing a couple of hours out in the wet

Thanks!

 

[smokeysmoo]

Re: chain - just MICKLE it

 

[boybiker]

The main thing is make sure you dry the bike after a wet ride IMO. If there is any mud dont let it dry on or its a bit*h to get off afterwards!

 

[RussellZero]

Planned on a 40 / 50 miler today but the weather is tripe. That won't stop me going out, just wondering - what kind of cleaning should I embark on when I get back? I always give the bike a wipe down if there's any muck on it but having done 160 miles on it now just wondering if there is anything relating to the chain / crank etc that I should be focusing on, especially if I'm doing a couple of hours out in the wet

Thanks!

+1 for mickling the chain when you get back, I'd give mine a wash off, dry with a microfibre cloth then do the chain and put it away. If its dry I only do it if I know I'm not going to be going out again in the next day or two, or if I'm riding a lot just when I think it looks like it needs it :-)

 

[SWSteve]

I had similar to you today, my actions were as follows:
brush off crap with big wet brush
wash rest of it with wet microfibre cloth
dry with dry microfibre
spray all moving stuff with gt40 to displace water
mickle chain

I've just realised I forgot to clean inside the top of the forks. There's always something I miss

 

[ScottyManc]

Thanks for all the replies - there's no issue with delaying the mickling is there? I'll be buying some decent chain lube tomorrow so the rest of the bike has had a clean tonight. Just one more question - cleaning the cogs themselves - will mickling deal with that in as much as taking the grit away from the important parts?

There's a reason I posted this in the beginners forum

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

This after every single ride.

 

[paulw1969]

Thanks for all the replies - there's no issue with delaying the mickling is there? I'll be buying some decent chain lube tomorrow so the rest of the bike has had a clean tonight. Just one more question - cleaning the cogs themselves - will mickling deal with that in as much as taking the grit away from the important parts?

There's a reason I posted this in the beginners forum

if your referring to the rear cassette I remove the wheel and use baby wipes pulled too and throw in between the cassette cogs until clean....if you wish you can then spray with GT85 however I don't bother and just mickle the chain and lube one last time cleaning the excess lube off. Front crank rings again I just use baby wipes again and wipe any visible dirt off.........if however the bike is mega dirty out comes the car shampoo and hot water.....baby wipes.....I use a lot of them cheap and they leave a light coating of lanolin helping to keep the muck off.

 

[ScottyManc]

Thanks for the vid Mr H. Whilst that seems a chore I spent 30 mins doing a 'light' clean earlier and didn't notice the time so I'm sure it's something I'll get into. I keep my car immaculate so my bike will probably follow suit.

Paul, do you find taking the wheel off and putting it back on again easy in relation to gear changes when back on the bike? Ie I won't need to do anything fancy with deraileurs etc will I? Again thanks for the responses

 

[paulw1969]

not sure what you are getting at but if you change down to say the third smallest cog at the back you will find it easier to remove the wheel and replace again....just remember which cog the chain was on when removing and then place the chain back on the same cog when putting the wheel on (sorry if I have read your post wrong and it sounds like I am teaching you how to suck eggs!)..its not ideal but if you don't have a stand you could always try and support the bike from a bracket or some such like fixed a wall (a mate does this)...however I will add I have a bike stand which makes all maintenance and cleaning a lot easier. In regard to the derailleurs I use the wipes on these as well and you can manipulate them through the nooks and crannies

 

[ScottyManc]

Nope, that was exactly what I was asking so thank you. Think I'll get myself one of those bike stands off the video. I would imagine they've been discussed on here so I'll have a toot and see what, where from and how much!

 

[paulw1969]

I got mine from ebay....but not the best fittings on the one I got had to add some bolts to the plastic fittings....I think Park Tools do good ones but not cheap...I even saw some in Aldi a few weeks ago but don't know how good they are......

 

[SWSteve]

The one from Aldi is very good IMO. I have one myself, today was the first time I have used it when cleaning the bike and it makes a huge difference.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

As Steve pointed out they are good value, though the clamp being of plastic construction may lead to problems, only had mine a month or so, but as proved invaluable.

 

[rovers1875]

Cleaning ???? Muck adds character