Basic/Routine Bike Maintenance Products

[OriginalFDM]

I want to put together a little toolkit for cleaning and maintaining my bike. I'm not very 'handy' normally but would like to learn about maintaining my bike properly and getting the best out of it.

So what supplies would you recommend I get? I enjoy 'detailing' the car so would like some bits to keep the bike in good cosmetic as well as mechanical condition.

I already have a multi tool and tyre levers but I'm thinking more like lubricants, cleaning products etc. Basically anything I need to keep the bike in good order. I have ordered Haynes 'The Bike Book - Complete Bicycle Maintenance' which will be an interesting read I'm sure, and I have ordered a work stand so I can clamp the bike up and clean/maintain it without leaning it up against a wall...

Thanks!

[IrateNinja]

Switch to using a wax based chain lubricant if you care the visual condition (as well as the general efficiency) of your drivetrain, at the cost of having to apply it more frequently in comparison to oil.

I used Squirt, and have put almost 3000km on my good bike in the last couple of months with it looking like new with just a wipe down (rather than a full degrease).

The only other change in approach for my good bike was to apply a ceramic coating when i got it. Probably unnecessary, but needs little more than a spray with a hose post ride to get it looking as new again.

[Oscar the Grouch]

My go to stuff for basic maintenance

Cleaning
- degreaser and toothbrush for drivetrain - https://muc-off.com/collections/bicycle-step-1-cle...
- bike wash and soft brush - https://muc-off.com/collections/bicycle-step-1-cle...
- hose

Lube
- chain lube
- WD40
- silicone spray

Basic tools
- track pump - https://www.topeak.com/global/de/products/floor-pu...
- allen keys
- tyre levers
- shockpump (mtb)

Getting more advanced
- pedal spanner
- chain whip
- lockring tool
- chain checker
- chain breaker
- torque wrench

Edited by Oscar the Grouch on Thursday 4th June 11:40

[Justin S]

I use Finish Line products for the chain. Dry lube for 9 months of the year and wet lube for when the going gets muddy. Its quite gloopy and helps prevent chain wear by almost sealing the roller in the links. Not sure on what bike you have , but you may get away with dry lube all year on a road bike.
For suspension forks, I use Brunox Deo , which a small can will last ages. Just rub on the stantions and the seals. Never had any issues with anodising wear or corrosion.
For pedals and mech pivots, I use a small bottle of general cycle oil. Got it from Decathlon for pennies and have just finished a bottle after 5 years.
For cleaning chain and mechanicals , I use Comma Hyperclean to deep clean , maybe every 10 gritty mtb rides ( still wipe and occasional surfex wash between deep cleaning) or 25 or so road rides. Use with a small brush to soak in and pedal a few times to exercise the chain etc, then gently hose out.
Cleaning the frame etc, I have been using Bilt Hamber surfex HD. Bought a 5 ltr and dilute in a sprayer about 5%. Seems to agitate and lift the majority of the grime. Have converted many to this now.
You dont need to spend money on 'specific' cycle cleaners. Its all marketing and normal cleaning products work as well but a lot cheaper.

[jimmy156]

I bought a set of 5 Muc Off brushes from wiggle for about £17. It has a big soft brush for the frame, and lots of other brushes for other parts of the bike.

I then just use muc off bike cleaner, sparingly applied to frame, forks and wheels, and liberally applied to the drivetrain and use the various brushes to clean, paying particular attention to the drivetrain. I sometimes do the cassette and chain twice.

I then dry off with a rag and apply muc off dry lube to the chain, and GT85 to to the derailleur's, pedal springs etc.

I wash the bike after every off road ride (its a gravel bike so doesn't see much mud!) and every 3rd or so dry road ride.

I too am not very handy etc and will pay for a bike shop to service the bike periodically, I will just do basic cleaning and lubing!

I try not to be too precious about it, It's for riding and not looking at!

[mickyh7]

When I was young we had a bucket of hot water sqeeze of Fairy Liquid a rag and some of Dads oil.
They really have stitched you lot up!
And it sounds like your loving it.
Take anything, lets say Water.
Bottle it and put the name 'Bike' in front of it.
Boom..... 'Bike Water'
£11.99 please!

[anonymous-user]

Cleaning - Rhino Goo. Its incredible and non-caustic.

[Pickled Piper]

Lots of good info on Youtube. Park tools and GCN are two of my favourites.

pp

[jimmy156]

mickyh7 said:

When I was young we had a bucket of hot water sqeeze of Fairy Liquid a rag and some of Dads oil.
They really have stitched you lot up!
And it sounds like your loving it.
Take anything, lets say Water.
Bottle it and put the name 'Bike' in front of it.
Boom..... 'Bike Water'
£11.99 please!

When i was a kid i didn't wash my bike ever (and it was used everyday for most of the year!) and the chain got some 3 in 1 or WD40 when it went orange. This was not on "cheap" bikes either, and i applied this logic to the fair pricey DMR sidekick i had in my late teens. The bikes always worked.

Doesn't make it the best way to do something.

[lufbramatt]

Re: surfex HD, its amazing stuff but it seems to react with alloy bits if used too strong or not rinsed off properly. I cleaned the rear alloy subframe of my E39 BMW when it was off to do the bushes with the stuff as it was filthy from a leaky diff drain plug, and the next day it had grown a layer of white fur in places I hadn't quite rinsed off enough. It will also leave white stains on paintwork if used too strong.

[monty999]

mickyh7 said:

When I was young we had a bucket of hot water sqeeze of Fairy Liquid a rag and some of Dads oil.
They really have stitched you lot up!
And it sounds like your loving it.
Take anything, lets say Water.
Bottle it and put the name 'Bike' in front of it.
Boom..... 'Bike Water'
£11.99 please!

Yes, you are so right, and the same is to said for a lot of stuff like 'detailing' gear, but it just goes to show them marketing folk know there stuff !!

A good example of marketing success was Lucozade. When I was a kid the only folk who drank it were sick people, then we realised it was no good as a medicine and sales plummeted so they re-focused it at fit sports people and they swallowed it ...literally !!! We all buy what makes us feel good not just what does the job.

[OriginalFDM]

mickyh7 said:

When I was young we had a bucket of hot water sqeeze of Fairy Liquid a rag and some of Dads oil.
They really have stitched you lot up!
And it sounds like your loving it.
Take anything, lets say Water.
Bottle it and put the name 'Bike' in front of it.
Boom..... 'Bike Water'
£11.99 please!

If we only ever made decisions based on the cheapest solution to everything it would be a pretty dull life

[Pablo16v]

I have a 25L container of citrus degreaser which I buy from a MXer mate who buys in bulk for his bikes, which I then decant into an old Muc-Off spray bottle mixing it 50/50 with water, and that lasts me at least a couple of years (covering 4 bikes), plus I buy GT85 in bulk packs and use the cheapest dry weather lubes I can find, around £3 / bottle. I rarely wash my bikes but I do keep the drivetrains clean, giving them a wipe and a re-lube after most rides.

[Justin S]

lufbramatt said:

Re: surfex HD, its amazing stuff but it seems to react with alloy bits if used too strong or not rinsed off properly. I cleaned the rear alloy subframe of my E39 BMW when it was off to do the bushes with the stuff as it was filthy from a leaky diff drain plug, and the next day it had grown a layer of white fur in places I hadn't quite rinsed off enough. It will also leave white stains on paintwork if used too strong.

It is quite potent , hence the 5%. Not had any issues with it not working and being that diluted, but yes it doesnt 'seem' that strong, but it makes light work of grime removal, especially on a bike thats not baked on as such. Does a good job on UPVC windows too

[mickyh7]

OriginalFDM said:

If we only ever made decisions based on the cheapest solution to everything it would be a pretty dull life

It wasn't the cheapest solution.It was the only solution.
It was all that was available, and it worked great.

[mickyh7]

monty999 said:

Yes, you are so right, and the same is to said for a lot of stuff like 'detailing' gear, but it just goes to show them marketing folk know there stuff !!

A good example of marketing success was Lucozade. When I was a kid the only folk who drank it were sick people, then we realised it was no good as a medicine and sales plummeted so they re-focused it at fit sports people and they swallowed it ...literally !!! We all buy what makes us feel good not just what does the job.

Perfect reply. Absolutely nail on head.

[David_M]

To expand on some of these v sensible suggestions

Oscar the Grouch said:

- allen keys

Good ones make life better - in particular the T-handle ones - which you can buy only in the common sizes (4/5mm) or as you need them from Screwfix eg https://www.screwfix.com/p/teng-tools-metric-t-han...

Oscar the Grouch said:

- pedal spanner

For many pedals, they have an allen key fitting on the end of the axle so that you can undo them from the other side- have a look and see above re good allen key

Oscar the Grouch said:

- torque wrench

Bike torque wrenches (for lower torque settings) are quite pricey, but one of these will do for all the common low-torque jobs and are cheap and easy https://www.evanscycles.com/fwe-5nm-torque-wrench-... Details.

Edited by David_M on Thursday 4th June 17:43

[anonymous-user]

Baby wipes

[sam.rog]

For cleaning I use car shampoo and a sponge, avoid a shampoo with wax in it as it coats the brakes which make them poor until its burned off.
To clean the chain I use any degreaser thats on offer in a chain cleaning tool https://www.amazon.co.uk/Park-Tool-CM-5-2-Cyclone-...
I find this less messy than spraying degreaser. It also limits the contamination of degreaser onto greased components.
If I'm really bored I spray a silicon shine spray onto a cloth and wipe the bike frame.

[itsnotarace]

Jewellers ultrasonic bath (approx £35 on Amazon) with some simple green or similar degreaser works a treat on chains. Usually give it two runs through changing degreaser each time. Rinse chain under tap, air dry, relube and go. Chain comes out looking like new

Asides from the above just a hosepipe and a MucOff large soft wash brush, old rags (old tshirts are the best) for cleaning cassettes etc