Cycle Lubrication and Cleaning

[Alan Farroll]

Hi,

Now that I have purchased my first bikes in about 30 years (one road and one mountain) a few questions for guidance given the huge range of products available these days.

What is recommended for cleaning my bikes? I often see a product called "Muc Off". Is this the best or is there a better alternative?

What is best product for lubricating my bikes? In my youth there was only, I think it was 2 in 1 or 3 in 1 oil - but what is best today? Similarly for greasing - such as the threads on pedal threads if I swap flats for clipless, what should I use to lightly grease the threads and other silimar things?

Thank you

Regards

Alan Farroll

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Lubricating, have a look at the mickle method for cleaning the chain, for specific lubes I use (aargh can't remember! @ianrauk will advise what he uses, I use the same!)

Washing the bike, personally I just use washing up liquid and the water as hot as I can stand it. Some will say you shouldn't use it due to the salt in it, but the amount of salt in the liquid isn't going to harm your bike.

Also baby wipes are a great piece of kit for quickly wiping down anything.

Grease wise, I just bought some cheap stuff from Halfords that was in the bike section/

 

[smokeysmoo]

Yup, soap and water, baby wipes, and for my chain after a good MICKLE I use THIS chainsaw oil

For pedal threads I use COPPER GREASE.

No need for expensive branded products like Muc Off IMO.

 

[sittingbull]

Cleaning with baby wipes comes up frequently. I've yet to try it. Are they used after a regular wash/rinse or instead of?

I'm thinking using them directly on a dirty bike is only going to scratch the finish.

 

[ianrauk]

Lubricating, have a look at the mickle method for cleaning the chain, for specific lubes I use (aargh can't remember! @ianrauk will advise what he uses, I use the same!)

Washing the bike, personally I just use washing up liquid and the water as hot as I can stand it. Some will say you shouldn't use it due to the salt in it, but the amount of salt in the liquid isn't going to harm your bike.

Also baby wipes are a great piece of kit for quickly wiping down anything.

Grease wise, I just bought some cheap stuff from Halfords that was in the bike section/

Finish Line Ceramic - have yet to find a better lube.

 

[ianrauk]

Cleaning with baby wipes comes up frequently. I've yet to try it. Are they used after a regular wash/rinse or instead of?

I'm thinking using them directly on a dirty bike is only going to scratch the finish.

Nah, they just wipe the crud away.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Everyone uses different products and has different ways.
I ride a MTB and use Muc Off.
I throw a bucket of water over the bike, spray on the Muc Off, leave for 5 mins and wash off using a soft brush.
I then dry the bike off thoroughly and lube the chain with Muc Off dry lube.
Sorted.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

I'd advise against using Muc Off Wet Lube, it's evil stuff that cakes itself on to everything and isn't easy to remove! The Dry Lube is quite good though although it doesn't last long. I use a bit of car shampoo rather than Fairy liquid but I'm sure it won't do any harm. I try and keep on top of things and clean my bikes regularly. Sometimes a wipe with a damp cloth and a squirt of spray bike cleaner (Muc Off, Finish-line etc) is enough.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I'd advise against using Muc Off Wet Lube, it's evil stuff that cakes itself on to everything and isn't easy to remove! The Dry Lube is quite good though although it doesn't last long. I use a bit of car shampoo rather than Fairy liquid but I'm sure it won't do any harm. I try and keep on top of things and clean my bikes regularly. Sometimes a wipe with a damp cloth and a squirt of spray bike cleaner (Muc Off, Finish-line etc) is enough.

I agree that the Muc off wet lube stuff is horrid!!

 

[wisdom]

I put a review in the reviews section about muc off wet lube.it certainly lubes but as the others have said it coats everything.I personally like fenwicks lubes.Only got the muc off one as my lbs had sold out of fenwicks.

 

[morrisman]

If you had told me 6 weeks ago, before I bought my new road bike, that I would do the following after every ride I would have thought you to be Prof Mad from the University of Madness:

• Bike on maintenance stand
• Wipe of all the muck with baby wipes (max 2 per session)
• Wipe over all the frame with Mr Sheen to stop future muck sticking
• Clean the rims with baby wipes and check the tyres for any debris

Once a week I clean the chain ala Mickle, wipe with cloth until clean, apply Finish Line Dry Lube, wipe off the excess, check all other moving parts/cables for need of lube.

 

[Alan Farroll]

Lubricating, have a look at the mickle method for cleaning the chain, for specific lubes I use (aargh can't remember! @ianrauk will advise what he uses, I use the same!)

Washing the bike, personally I just use washing up liquid and the water as hot as I can stand it. Some will say you shouldn't use it due to the salt in it, but the amount of salt in the liquid isn't going to harm your bike.

Also baby wipes are a great piece of kit for quickly wiping down anything.

Grease wise, I just bought some cheap stuff from Halfords that was in the bike section/

Thank you. Some good advise from you and others for a born again cyclist

 

[Alan Farroll]

I'd advise against using Muc Off Wet Lube, it's evil stuff that cakes itself on to everything and isn't easy to remove! The Dry Lube is quite good though although it doesn't last long. I use a bit of car shampoo rather than Fairy liquid but I'm sure it won't do any harm. I try and keep on top of things and clean my bikes regularly. Sometimes a wipe with a damp cloth and a squirt of spray bike cleaner (Muc Off, Finish-line etc) is enough.

Thank you. Some good advise from you and others for a born again cyclist

 

[Alan Farroll]

Everyone uses different products and has different ways.
I ride a MTB and use Muc Off.
I throw a bucket of water over the bike, spray on the Muc Off, leave for 5 mins and wash off using a soft brush.
I then dry the bike off thoroughly and lube the chain with Muc Off dry lube.
Sorted.

Thank you. Some good advise from you and others for a born again cyclist

 

[Alan Farroll]

Yup, soap and water, baby wipes, and for my chain after a good MICKLE I use THIS chainsaw oil

For pedal threads I use COPPER GREASE.

No need for expensive branded products like Muc Off IMO.

Thank you. Some good advise from you and others for a born again cyclist