Questions tagged [cleaning]
A happy bike is a clean bike. How to keep your bike squeaky clean effectively and safely.
149
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What is the most ecologically sustainable way to handle rags covered in chain grease?
I have a handful of cloths that I've used to clean and grease my bike chain over the years. Each is covered in chain grease and other gunk that was once on my chain. I'm starting to wonder what I ...
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5
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How can I clean gunked up sprockets?
Over the past months my rear sprockets have accumulated a fair amount of gunk == chain oil + dirt + sand + hair + grass + wood chips. They look bad, and furthermore I fear the chain might be picking ...
- 12.8k
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Can I wash my cycling shoes in the washing machine?
If I drop a pair of mountain shoes with the cleats on in the washing machine are they likely to get damaged? Is the machine likely to get damaged? Should I throw some rags in - or even wrap the shoes ...
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Seat post keeps sliding down after cleaning and lubricating folding bike
The last time I used my folding bike I gave it a thorough clean, and used WD-40 on the moving parts and then lubricated them again with a silicone-based lubricant spray. This is an eleven-year old ...
- 51
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After I lubricate my chain, I hear a gritty, sandy crunching sound coming from the chain and chainring. What am I doing wrong?
I tend to lubricate my chain about every 150-200 miles based on the conventional wisdom and general guidance I've read and heard. I have been using Rock N Roll Gold lube for some time, as it's been ...
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Use non bike specific degreaser, is it safe?
I was using Park Tool degreaser but I ran out of it. Is it safe to use a non-bike-specific degreaser?
The one I am using is the Screwfix No nonsense Heavy Duty Degreaser 5lt.
I will probably switch to ...
- 571
3
votes
3
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Wax or ceramic coat disk brake caliper?
I am currently in the process of building a new road bike and I want to preserve the nice look of my new hydraulic Shimano Ultegra brake calipers. Normally I'd just coat the the area I want to ...
- 153
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What is the lowest total cost way to lubricate a chain? [closed]
I know there are numerous different ways of lubricating a chain. Some prefer to
remove the factory grease from a chain and lubricate it with a different
lubricant immediately, others use the factory ...
- 11.6k
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votes
2
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Where do you discard chain cleaning solvents/degreasers?
After reading comments that chain cleaning solvents could have substances of questionable health effects, and despite the benefits of bike chain-specific cleaning liquids, I'm doubling down on ...
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How to safely clean up spilled chain oil
Perhaps this is not bicycle specific since this could happen with any petroleum-based oil, but since the specific oil I spilled is chain oil I'm asking here.
I have a plastic box that I keep all of my ...
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How to clean the front derailleur?
After years of usage, the spring of my FD does not return it to the smallest cog any more. Obviously, the FD has collected grit/dirt in its joints and the cage is jamming.
I do not see a way to clean ...
- 1,000
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1
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Do you need to open the calipers of a hydraulic disk brake in order to clean it?
I would like some advice about cleaning disk brakes. Recently when I've braked I've occasionally heard a noise as though air is being released, not a squeak or croak but it sounds like there is ...
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1
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Should I ride my bike on the beach?
This is the suggested follow up question from this earlier question that dealt with if I can bike on the beach.
While it turns out I can ride the beach on 32c tires, the comments made it clear that I ...
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Cleaning and re-installing a crank
As a result of needing to replace a chainring ( Worn out chainring or missing tension ), I'm about to reinstall a crank, and would like to clean it before doing so.
Regarding the next picture, can I:
...
- 167
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3
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Homemade bicycle remedies [closed]
essential shops are closed, has anyone got any household remedies for any problems with your bike? ie: lubrication, rust removal degreasers well any homemade or household stuff uses for your bike.
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How to improve the degreasing process?
My Situation :
I degrease my drive train occasionally and absolutely hate the job. I also maintain my dad's bike, so this whole degreasing thing is really getting on my nerves now.
I use solvents such ...
- 302
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Is sanitizer an effective degreaser?
Thanks to COVID lockdowns, things are shut and I'm anyways miles away from larger market areas. What I do have is litres of sanitizer, the kind that is watery in consistency (not gel-like) and is ...
- 302
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2
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Is it possible to wear out the cassette lockring threads?
I have decided to do a better job of cleaning cassettes when they are dirty. Is it possible to wear out the lockring threads on the freehub with repeated use? This would be monthly on the commuter/...
- 10.5k
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2
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Sprayed Lubricant on Hydraulic Brakes, how to clean? [duplicate]
I was spraying some lubricant on my chain and accidentally sprayed on my hydraulic brakes and it affects my bikes braking power massively.
How do I clean this off?
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How to clean rim brake track efficiently?
What are the most efficient and effective ways to clean brake tracks on rims?
It is generally understood that rim brakes work better and pads last longer on clean brake tracks. Dirt on brake tracks ...
- 8,796
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2
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343
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What can I add to a chain cleaning bottle to get between the links?
Every so often I take off my chain to give it its most thorough cleaning - the shake it up in a plastic drinks bottle with a bit of degreaser method. This works pretty well, and I've added some bits ...
4
votes
1
answer
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Removing an internal headset before pulling the fork?
I'm completely taking apart a 2014 Kona UTE (for fun, and to clean it, but nothing wrong with it). I'm not sure how to proceed with the fork. It is now "bare" (no wheel, no cable, no handle, ...
- 201
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Cheapest and safest way to clean MTB drivetrain?
I've got a CUBE Attention MTB which has been serving me well, but out of a lack of knowledge I never bothered to degrease the chain before relubing it, so over time there has been a build up of gunk ...
- 31
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Good Bicycle Degreaser
Today I cleaned my chain with the Park tool CM-52 and it was really effective. However, I ran through half of the park tool bicycle degreaser. I'm thinking of purchasing this degreaser from my local ...
- 93
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1
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Washing road bike with iron-rich water
I was searching for information concerning washing the bike with iron-rich water, but haven't found anything so far. The water coming out of my garden hose is naturally rich in iron. I have cleaned ...
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2
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1
answer
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Cleaning Contaminated Disc Rotors
I've had an eternal struggle with my current bike over brake contamination. The levers and calipers are shimano ultegra r8000, so the latest and (almost) greatest.
I first noticed it when I took it ...
- 293
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3
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154
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Are there any downsides to cheaper biodegradable degreasers?
I’m after a cheaper (than the bike-specific brands) biodegradable degreaser for cleaning my bike chain.
I have found a few which are apparently biodegradable, however, I’m wondering if there is ...
- 143
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5
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How to maintain the bicycle after a commute, when not home?
When I commute, which is a 20 minutes bicycle trip, I'm able to park the bicycle indoors at a facility, where I can rinse water off of it. See my other question regarding whether or not this is a good ...
- 853
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2
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Should you hose down your bicycle after having used it on salty roads?
When using your bicycle on salty road, if you can opt for hosing it down or not hosing it down after a commute (without re-lubricating the drivetrain at this point!), what should you do? Do you cause ...
- 853
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Ultrasonic cleaner power requirements, for cleaning chains before waxing
This question is a follow-up to Ultrasonic cleaner advice, for cleaning chains before waxing.
I plan to lubricate my chains by immersion in molten paraffin wax. The advantages and disadvantages are ...
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3
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2
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How to degrease a bicycle frame?
I have a carbon frame which I'm worried I will scratch the paintwork on. I know the basics of cleaning paintwork without scratching it, using two buckets, one to rinse and one to wash with, grit guard,...
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4
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4
answers
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Ultrasonic cleaner advice, for cleaning chains before waxing
I'd like to avoid solvents, or use less solvents when I re-wax my chain.
Are there any features I need to have in an ultrasonic cleaner?
I've seen unheated 700mL cleaners for ~$30 USD and 2 to 3L ...
- 1,215
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How important is it to clean your drivetrain?
For the first time in my life I took the time to properly clean the drivetrain of a bike. How proper it was might be debatable, but for the first time I saw that the gears are not actually black.
I'...
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2
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Cleaning bike chain
I use paint thinner and an old tooth brush to clean my bike chain.
Is there anything I can spray on the chain to dissolve the thinner or do I have to manually rub it off with a rag?
I am open to ...
- 618
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1
answer
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Squealing/whistling noise that gets higher-pitched the faster I'm moving
My bike has started making a high-pitched whistling noise when I get moving and I'm not sure what's causing it, though I have a suspicion.
It starts happening after a few seconds of pedalling
It gets ...
- 101
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2
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3k
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Washed my bike with water and muc-off only, now my brakes are weak
I took part in my first bike event at the weekend, a very muddy "gravel" ride which by the end had my bike covered in mud! Rather than put it straight in the car, I took it to the muc-off tent and ...
- 41
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votes
2
answers
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How to clean tubeless tire sealant from rims
How to clean the stuck/dry sealant from the rim edge, and the rim tape, etc? (In order to replace my old tubeless tyres with new, and the new ones to sit on a clean/fresh surface). With water? Water/...
- 539
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2
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Using a new but potentially dirty olive and barb when shortening hydraulic brake hosing
I wish to shorten the hose on a hydraulic brake system (model is TRP hylex)
i have an unused TRP olive and barb, however unfortunately they have been knocking about in a tray with an old chain and ...
- 413
2
votes
1
answer
725
views
Clean brake rotors and pads
I've seen plenty of how to clean my chain, but how do I clean muck off my brake rotors and the inside of the assembly that holds the pads?
I see some posts specifying isopropyl alcohol, but that ...
- 251
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Chain Cleaning Frequency vs Cost
I got myself a new 2019 Giant Trance 2. I am loving it and am doing lots of off road trails here in Texas. A typical ride for me is about 4-6 hours and maybe 10-20 miles depending on the inclines.
I'...
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How do I clean the inside of my frame? Is it even necessary?
I'm trying to fix up a bike that has been abandoned outside for a while. When I first turned it upside down, rust brown water started coming out of holes in frame around the rear stays.
I've fixed it ...
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2
answers
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How to remove an older Shimano Hollowtech crank?
I'm getting some creaking in my crank/bottom bracket and a good first step towards fixing this is to remove and clean the cranks and chainrings. If I still have the creaking, the BB is almost ...
- 17.5k
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How can I dry a chain?
I've started cleaning my mountain-bike chain more regularly, using this process:
Wash off mud.
Use chain-cleaner tool with de-greaser.
Wash off de-greaser.
Dry chain (see below).
Re-lube with wet ...
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5
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New bicycle for commuting
I'm just retiring my old roadie and looking to buy a new bike, and am torn on what kind to buy.
I cycle 34 miles per day on my commute, down roads and canal towpaths (which are bumpy and have on ...
4
votes
1
answer
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Cleaning and lubing bicycle chain with diesel
For last 3 weeks I am using diesel for my cleaning and lubing my bicycle chain, so far I am not facing any problems.
Should I continue this or am I damaging my chains ?
Has anyone else using this ...
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1
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How to clean my full suspension bike [closed]
I have a full suspension canyon neuron and after each wash, I'm finding that just water doesn't cut it. Does anyone know of any good products to use when cleaning my bike? e.g Mucoff.
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1
answer
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Litespeed frame has clear film all over it
I never noticed the film on my Ti frame until it started peeling. What is this? Can I safely remove it? It seems to be flaking off on its own anyway.
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2
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Can mountain bike dirt remaining on different parts for long time damage the bike?
My mountain bike is dirty from dust, mud and oil. Does it do any harm to the parts if I leave it dirty for a few more months - and for the sake of background information - or forever? I can imagine ...
- 152
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3
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How to clean disk brakes?
I want to clean my disk brakes and am wondering if it is sufficient to only remove the pads and use water & soap when washing the parts.
If not, is there a list of stuff to avoid when cleaning ...
- 153
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vote
0
answers
60
views
Will chain spray evaporate from its can when unused?
My bike chain cleaning spray has evaporated from its can while I stored it in my room after having closed it normally. I have used it only four times. Actually about a half of the bottle should be ...
- 11