New bike care question.
Discussion
I have just had this delivered. This is the first bike I have taken out of a box since I had a Raleigh Grifter for Christmas.
Now it’s brand new and pristine, the weather is horrible and will be for a while.
What should I do after a ride out.
I have GT85 lubricant and that’s it at the moment.
I’m after general care tips not servicing, I’ll cross that bridge later.
The bike is a Cube Hybrid.
Thanks.
If the chain feels sticky then it probably still has the grease they ship them with still on it. This will attract dirt like nobodies business.
Ideally try and wipe this off with some degreaser and then re lube with some proper chain lube. Everybody has their favorites, I prefer a wax based one like Smoove which will stay clean. GT85 is great to use as a water displacer after a wash but has limited lubricating properties.
Ideally try and wipe this off with some degreaser and then re lube with some proper chain lube. Everybody has their favorites, I prefer a wax based one like Smoove which will stay clean. GT85 is great to use as a water displacer after a wash but has limited lubricating properties.
Norgles said:
As above just give it a hose down and wipe over. I also have an oily old rag I use to give the chain a good wipe. Also don’t get any chemicals like WD40 on the brake discs as it will contaminate the pads and they will howl when braking 
If you guys have time to hose down and wipe pedal bikes after each ride you have some serious spare time on your hands This is the current state of my commuter bike - It was last cleaned (hosed down + wipe) about 1000 miles ago, been used through the winter with all the salt + rain etc on the roads.
But after reading this thread I have been guilt tripped into giving a wash and clean with a cloth + re lubed with some spray on stuff. At least now you can see the chain links, and the cassette teeth look fine (2500 miles on them), certainly gear shifting work fine.
I've even tired to clean the reflective stripe around the tyres, but stopped pretty sharpish as I felt like a plonker scrubbing at tyres which I know 100% for sure will be covered in road grime come Mondays commute. Anyways bikes are for riding and from a distance it looks clean(er)
Thanks for the comments, I’ve taken them on board.
I set the bike up and fitted some cheap Wilko lights ( I was impressed by the quality of them tbh )to get me mobile.
I have a big ride out with friends Saturday, tomorrow I’ll go out on it just to get used to it.
Above is how it looks now.
gangzoom said:
Norgles said:
As above just give it a hose down and wipe over. I also have an oily old rag I use to give the chain a good wipe. Also don’t get any chemicals like WD40 on the brake discs as it will contaminate the pads and they will howl when braking
If you guys have time to hose down and wipe pedal bikes after each ride you have some serious spare time on your hands This is the current state of my commuter bike - It was last cleaned (hosed down + wipe) about 1000 miles ago, been used through the winter with all the salt + rain etc on the roads.
But after reading this thread I have been guilt tripped into giving a wash and clean with a cloth + re lubed with some spray on stuff. At least now you can see the chain links, and the cassette teeth look fine (2500 miles on them), certainly gear shifting work fine.
I've even tired to clean the reflective stripe around the tyres, but stopped pretty sharpish as I felt like a plonker scrubbing at tyres which I know 100% for sure will be covered in road grime come Mondays commute. Anyways bikes are for riding and from a distance it looks clean(er)
Problem with buying a bike now is, everywhere the stock seems to be low. The Boardman I liked wasn’t in my size.
Best advice is keep all the groupset clean and lubed.
Grit is a killer to premature wear.
A rag soaked in degreaser or even petrol will do a great job.
You can ride them into the ground and do nothing but they become a pain to ride.
Avoid pressure washing as it tends to force grit into bearings and places you don't want
But get out there and enjoy it .
BTW you can with a new bike go to the n-th degree and ppf and ceramic coat after machine polishing the frame 😀
Grit is a killer to premature wear.
A rag soaked in degreaser or even petrol will do a great job.
You can ride them into the ground and do nothing but they become a pain to ride.
Avoid pressure washing as it tends to force grit into bearings and places you don't want
But get out there and enjoy it .
BTW you can with a new bike go to the n-th degree and ppf and ceramic coat after machine polishing the frame 😀
Learnt an expensive lesson after regularly power washing my winter bike. As mentioned, blasting grit into bearings is no good.
Now the bike gets a good clean in the spring, is dormant in the summer, and gets used during the winter. All I do is clean the chain when it needs it, get the crud off the jockey wheels with a screwdriver and leave the rest dirty.
Come spring again, a complete strip down, new chain and cassette, and the (cycle) starts again.
The best summer bike is treated somewhat better.
Now the bike gets a good clean in the spring, is dormant in the summer, and gets used during the winter. All I do is clean the chain when it needs it, get the crud off the jockey wheels with a screwdriver and leave the rest dirty.
Come spring again, a complete strip down, new chain and cassette, and the (cycle) starts again.
The best summer bike is treated somewhat better.
Sheets Tabuer said:
StuntmanMike said:
What should I do after a ride out.
I usually stand it against the shed while I catch my breath and start sweating profusely without wind in my face.Doesn't last long though enjoy
Felt like someone had sandpapered my wind pipe.
StuntmanMike said:
I have just had this delivered. This is the first bike I have taken out of a box since I had a Raleigh Grifter for Christmas.
lllnorrislll said:
Oh and don't forget to start looking at new bikes N+1 - as you will now find you need a new road bike, mountain bike, gravel bike, electric bike, BMX.........
Give him a chance - he only got the Grifter two months ago Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff