All Questions
Tagged with cleaning maintenance
52 questions
6
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Cleaning chain a few links at a time
Looking at videos of cleaning bicycle chains online, it seems like an inevitably tedious process. Getting the muck out of the links especially. For example, as described in this video. I'm thinking, ...
- 401
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Does washing the bike (not the drivetrain) actually prolong the life of any components?
Common wisdom dictates that bikes, especially those used in the rain or in the winter, should be washed frequently to prolong component life, but I honestly cannot see how. I am aware of the following:...
- 840
6
votes
5
answers
1k
views
LBS won't Service Shimano Dual Control Lever
I have a bike with Shimano 105 dual-brake/control levers. But the right one stopped shifting, so I took it to my LBS to have it serviced. I asked them to take it apart and clean/grease the mechanism. ...
9
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How do you clean cycling glasses effectively?
I've been using three-part cycling glasses for a couple of years.
That's a frame, separate plastic insert in front for colour, and a small inset frame in behind for prescription lenses.
What's the ...
- 131k
4
votes
2
answers
805
views
How should I wash my MTB knee pads?
I have a pair of 7iDP Transition knee pads that are starting to smell and are in need of a wash. However, I am not totally sure the best course of action for cleaning the pads. Please let me know your ...
- 41
27
votes
9
answers
5k
views
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 ...
- 405
9
votes
5
answers
2k
views
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 ...
- 14k
5
votes
4
answers
2k
views
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
12
votes
4
answers
13k
views
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 ...
- 129
10
votes
3
answers
2k
views
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 ...
- 611
2
votes
3
answers
518
views
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 ...
- 21.3k
2
votes
1
answer
399
views
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 ...
- 2,331
4
votes
1
answer
1k
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, ...
- 231
3
votes
4
answers
227
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 ...
- 131
3
votes
3
answers
307
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 ...
- 163
8
votes
5
answers
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 ...
- 873
5
votes
2
answers
3k
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 ...
- 873
3
votes
4
answers
2k
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'...
- 283
2
votes
3
answers
18k
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 ...
- 18.1k
1
vote
0
answers
76
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
5
votes
4
answers
5k
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 ...
- 503
8
votes
5
answers
422
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 "...
- 221
7
votes
2
answers
2k
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 ...
- 173
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Ants infestation on bicycle
During the recent trip my road bicycle was mounted on the rack on top of the car, and since I didn't wrap it, nor used the cover, flies and other small insects got stuck on the frame and handlebars. ...
- 185
6
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Is it a problem to leave my bicycle unlubricated for a day after a hose-down?
I just cleaned my bike with low pressure water but I don't have any lubricant. I left it to dry in my basement with the window left open.
Is there any chance my bike will malfunction or rust before ...
- 61
5
votes
4
answers
2k
views
If I am using DRY lube, do I need to clean my chain between applications?
Do I need to clean the chain before reapplying dry lube if I am only using dry lube?
- 51
3
votes
2
answers
20k
views
Bottom Bracket Lube?
Lately, after my normal wash & lube routine, I've been squirting a little Teflon lube into the bottom bracket hub. I do so without dissembling by inserting the lube straw into the hub crevice. Is ...
- 175
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How dirty should the chain and the cogs be before I should consider cleaning them?
I'm new to bicycling and have been riding for a month or so. I just saw a few questions here regarding cleaning of the chain and thought "whoa, I should clean the chain".
How dirty (visually) should ...
- 153
2
votes
1
answer
22k
views
Are there any suitable alternatives to alcohol/brake cleaner for cleaning brake rotors?
Alcohol and brake cleaner seems to be the recommended options for cleaning disc brake rotors. I don't have any of that available currently, so are there any suiltable alternatives to them that can be ...
- 4,414
11
votes
7
answers
20k
views
How do I clean my bike in winter?
How or where do I clean my bike in winter?
I live in Michigan, USA and winter can be very harsh, along with the added salt used for ice removal. I am not commuting or anything, just occasionally ...
- 1,223
7
votes
3
answers
30k
views
How to clean a rear derailleur?
This has always bugged me. At the end of the season I'm breaking down my bikes and cleaning every inch of them and I get to the derailleur and can't seem to ever get all the junk out of the middle of ...
- 5,107
8
votes
2
answers
47k
views
How to remove rust from gears?
I have a 2 year old Diamondback bike with gears that have already rusted while living in the desert southwest. I'm not sure how or if they can be cleaned. Also, was something I should have done to ...
- 81
3
votes
3
answers
42k
views
Front derailleur won't spring back to lower gears
The front derailleur on my mountainbike sometimes gets stuck in high gears. When this happens and I want to shift down I can nudge it a bit with my foot and it will spring back to the lower gear.
I ...
- 4,879
10
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Reusable gloves for bike repairs?
I'm looking to degrease/lube the chain, adjust disc brakes, clean, etc. at home, but don't want to get my hands dirty. (Zinger alert.)
Are there any special re-usable gloves for this kind of bike ...
- 1,595
20
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Minimal effort chain cleaning
One of the main reasons I eventually give up my bicycle commute in winter is that keeping my bike -mainly the drivetrain- clean despite all the rain/dirt/salt/hail/snow becomes too much of a time suck....
- 4,879
2
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Spray new bike with teflon to repel dirt and moisture?
I'm getting a new road bike. Would a light spritz of teflon spray help in repelling dirt and moisture? I wouldn't coat it completely, just focus on those dirt collecting areas, the undersides of the ...
- 1,116
8
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How to clean a bike after muddy/sandy cyclocross race (or mountain bike ride)
What do I need to be concerned with when cleaning my bike after a typical muddy and sandy cyclocross race? (Probably also applicable to mountain biking.)
Particularly, what can be done (in the field) ...
- 18.3k
56
votes
11
answers
187k
views
Homemade bicycle degreaser liquids
Does anyone have a recipe for a homemade bicycle degreaser solution? I'd like to make my own degreaser solution instead of buying one. I have read about using lemon juice and various types of alcohols ...
- 1,482
9
votes
3
answers
10k
views
How do I clean the inside of a freehub?
I didn't know any better and I let degreaser drip into the freewheel body of my Shimano FH-RM65. Now it makes a terrible retching noise when it rotates.
How do I clean the inside of this thing?
I'm ...
- 193
10
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Alternative Chain/DriveTrain DeGreasers
My question is whether there is anything "special" about the Bicycle-Specific Branded Chain degreasers or whether the much cheaper alternatives are just as good. I've used the ParkTool CB-2 (http://...
- 506
5
votes
4
answers
37k
views
Rust on chain and cassette
It looks like rust on my chain and cassette.
Both were new 5 months (4000 km) ago. The chain is about 60% worn/stretched. I've been riding 5 days/week, 40 km/day, Toronto on mild winter roads, and ...
- 12.3k
3
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Folding bike cleaning
I just got a Dahon Mu Uno 2011. I am really happy with the bike, but it's my first folding bike and I have noticed how quick it gets dirty. This is probably due to being closer to the ground than most ...
- 259
9
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Cleaning Cable Housing?
I commute about 3600 miles a year and I am able to keep my gears adjusted pretty well. I do find that I get a lot of grime from rainy, muddy conditions, and I think I might be replacing my shift ...
- 1,667
4
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What's the loss of effective output, with a worn chain?
I was just bought a new fine ultegra chain for 10 speed road race bike. This is actually the first new chain for this not so old bike. I am a fan of statistics, measuring power with a power unit on my ...
- 284
4
votes
5
answers
945
views
Cycling clothing care products
Given a "standard" cyclist's wardrobe (e.g. paddded shorts, jerseys, moisture-wicking t-shirts and socks--made of blends of lycra, spandex, wool, and other "specialty" fabrics) what special-care ...
- 2,569
1
vote
0
answers
170
views
What is a reasonable maintenance routine for a commuter bike? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How much maintenance?
I've purchased a nice hybrid (a Trek Fx) and plan on using it as my daily commuter, maybe averaging 50 miles per week on it.
What regular and ...
- 2,569
10
votes
9
answers
11k
views
Where can I get some rags?
As I'm getting into the habit of cleaning and maintaining my bike more often, I am burning through my stockpile of rags. Up until now I have been using worn-out clothes as rags. I am going to run out ...
- 655
24
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Practical cleaning routine for a commuter bike
I regularly (almost daily) ride my bike, often in bad weather. I mostly ride on roads, but sometimes through parks, forest etc. on unpaved surfaces. My bike is usually rather dirty, at least the lower ...
- 2,328
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How often should I strip my bike down?
How often should I give my bike a full service? Strip the bottom bracket, clean and grease it. Strip the groupset and freewheel.
And what products (or type of) should be used for each process?
It's ...
- 1,263
24
votes
8
answers
34k
views
How can I clean sand off my bike chain?
I recently went for a ride in the forest. Sections of sand were encountered during that ride and I can clearly see sand sticking to my bike chain now.
How can I clean the sand off effectively? There ...
- 2,923