Bicycles

Questions tagged [cleaning]

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A happy bike is a clean bike. How to keep your bike squeaky clean effectively and safely.

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12
votes
5answers
1k views

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 ...
5
votes
2answers
161 views

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
1answer
125 views

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, ...
3
votes
1answer
63 views

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 ...
1
vote
0answers
72 views

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 ...
0
votes
1answer
63 views

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 ...
1
vote
1answer
249 views

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 ...
2
votes
3answers
123 views

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 ...
9
votes
5answers
4k views

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 ...
5
votes
2answers
525 views

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 ...
4
votes
2answers
319 views

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 ...
3
votes
2answers
668 views

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,...
3
votes
3answers
313 views

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 ...
2
votes
4answers
566 views

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'...
0
votes
2answers
136 views

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 ...
0
votes
1answer
443 views

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 ...
4
votes
2answers
834 views

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 ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views

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/...
2
votes
2answers
102 views

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 ...
2
votes
1answer
393 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 ...
5
votes
5answers
309 views

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'...
6
votes
2answers
569 views

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 ...
1
vote
2answers
6k views

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 ...
9
votes
7answers
5k views

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 ...
5
votes
5answers
570 views

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
1answer
2k views

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 ...
0
votes
1answer
133 views

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.
2
votes
1answer
105 views

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.
2
votes
2answers
285 views

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 ...
5
votes
3answers
17k views

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 ...
1
vote
0answers
53 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
184 views

I have jetwashed my mountain bike twice… will it cause any damage? [duplicate]

I jet washed my bike around 6 months ago and decided to do it again having got it caked in crap! Only for a mate to tell me how daft I was. Will this have damaged my Carrera Vengeance (I know it’s ...
8
votes
6answers
3k views

Remove lubricant from seat tube and seat post

I recently bought a second hand bike. It rides pretty well, the only nuisance I have is that the previous owner has spread some lubricant on the seat post. I am pretty sure of this because I see on ...
4
votes
2answers
913 views

How to secure a fully carbon (aero) bike when washing/repairing on a stand?

My bike is fully carbon (frame, seatpost, saddle etc...) and I clean it regularly. I have read/heard from multiple sources that you should not clamp carbon materials when using a bike stand. However, ...
2
votes
1answer
245 views

How to clean this Helmet?

My son has that helmet for bicycles. Its brand new and was gifted to him recently. Unfortunately due to my mistake it was left in the backseat of our car and has accumulated some dust/lint which is ...
19
votes
4answers
4k views

Why should one clean a chain?

I do understand that this may sound like a troll question but please bear with me. I've always been a maniac about drive train cleanliness until I got a 11 speed bike and realized I didn't want to ...
3
votes
2answers
5k views

Is is safe to use WD40 as a matte paint protector for a carbon bike?

I like to take care of my bicycle and clean it regularly. After a deep clean I would use Muc-Off Bike Protect to protect and preserve the matte paintwork. This works, but is pretty expensive. I do ...
1
vote
2answers
3k views

Degreaser and oil recommendations for Nexus 8

Morning! i read a few articles about how to clean and lube the nexus 8, but i didnt found a good degreaser here i can leave my internal hub inside for a hour at least to breakdown the old grease, ...
2
votes
3answers
3k views

What sort of wipes should I use to clean a bike with disposable wipes?

I'm the sort of person who doesn't have time to clean his bike after every ride in the rain. It occurred to me that there are probably 'bike wipes' like there are for everything else these days that ...
3
votes
7answers
1k views

How do I best clean the cog wheels?

Would it be best to take it off first then soak it in soap, or should I use petrol to get the grease off first?
4
votes
4answers
3k views

How to prevent chain looking dirty one ride after cleaning it!

I try and clean my chain regularly and particularly when it's wet or dirty. Despite my chain looking pristine clean once I have finished it often looks black and oily again after just one commute of ...
11
votes
4answers
4k views

We offer our riders shared helmets. What sanitizing spray or barrier product can we provide alongside the helmets?

We are lucky enough to have four shared bikes at work, which are available for any employee to ride. Due to New Zealand's compulsory helmet laws, we must provide some shared helmets. Some people don'...
8
votes
5answers
367 views

Are there big differences in maintenance/care between different types of clipless pedals?

I was reading this article http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/gear/article/best-road-bike-pedals-33045/ and it talks about maintenance/care with a couple of the pedal options, even mentioning that "...
2
votes
2answers
555 views

Easy Clean Handlebar tape

My white handlebar tape is an absolute nightmare to keep clean even using Sprint Spitfire Spray and I don't have time in my life to keep on top of it. Are there any bar tapes out there that are very ...
5
votes
1answer
349 views

cleaning v-brake arms with riveted inner sleeve

I've got avid single digit 5 v-brakes, those with an inner sleeve riveted into the arm; the sleeve isn't supposed to move around the pivot, the arm itself moves around the sleeve instead. Arguably due ...
0
votes
1answer
583 views

Restoration and upgrading old bike

I have an old Huffy from my uncle that he bought at around the 90s and I'm thinking of restoring it and maybe upgrade some of the parts. But Huffy doesn't seem to have any much information for bikes ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views

What to do with a frozen bike?

My bike was outside and it snowed. I thought it was ok because it was undercover but the tarp broke and now my bike is covered in snow. I had 3 locks on it, 2 of them came off but one is frozen. I ...
1
vote
2answers
378 views

Can I clean out a set of old handlebars with water?

I've bought these bars second hand and would like to clean them out before I use them. Right now they're full of dust, dirt, spiders, etc. Will it do any damage to run water through them? I'll, of ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views

Washing a vintage bike—special considerations?

I've watched several tutorials on washing bikes, and the general gist seems to be to use a degreaser on the drivetrain, then wash the rest with soapy water, and don't spray hard when rinsing so water ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views

Cleaning leather bike gloves

I have fingerless leather gloves which are smelling pretty bad and stink my hands up when I wear them. So I've been googling ways to clean them. Most methods seem to need exotic stuff like saddle soap ...

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