Bike cleaning

[cslwannabe]

Bought a Giant Roam earlier in the year and in recent weeks it's got somewhat muddy! Just wondered what cleaning products to use - was thinking the Muc Off ultimate kit (abt £23) might be a good place to start but any suggestions would be appreciated please...

[Parsnip]

Muc-Off works well - would skip the fancy kit though - just buy a massive vat of the stuff.

A coat of WD-40/GT-85 after cleaning will get her looking super shiny, and also makes cleaning an easier job next time.


Cue really "funny" person to say "You shouldn't be cleaning your bike, you should be riding it

[P-Jay]

Much-Off it good stuff.

The brushes in the kit are handy for getting into the cassett etc, but Tesco sell an identical set for a few £, much better value than the muc-off ones.

I buy 5ltrs at a time, whenever it's on sales at Halfrauds, it's the only good thing about Halfords.

[Parrot of Doom]

My view on MTB cleaning is that water, as well as shifting dirt, tends to shift the dirt into the very places you don't want it to go. Bearings, seals, drivetrain, etc.

What I tend to do is let the mud go dry, wipe it off with a dry cloth (it'll fall to the floor), and then get a damp cloth on the rest. For the drivetrain I just use a diesel-soaked rag. I think the branded cleaning products are a load of nonsense really, any car shampoo will do the same job on the frame, and it'll be much cheaper. You don't need degreaser for your drivetrain, the oily rag will do the same job.

[Matt106]

I make my own version of muc-off using household cleaning products. Does the shame job, costs next to nothing and I never run out!

I soak the bike in 'fake' muc-off and leave for a few minutes, pressure washer off the dirt, soap and brushes for hard to reach areas then rinse.

The WD-40/GT-85 is a must to finish off the bike with a nice shine

[hullbilly]

I wouldnt suggest using a pressure washer, water will get into all the wrong places and wash the grease out of bearings.

muc off (or similar) then rinse with clean cold water and sponge, then use a good quality chain lube on the chain and grease the bearings, WD40/GT85 attracts dust and isnt to good for bearings either

That reminds me I must wash the commuter!

Edited by hullbilly on Monday 11th October 11:34

[bumrar]

I use muck off too - if its really dirty, I hose the worst off, then spray with muck off, wipe it over with a sponge, then rinse, dry, lube all cables, oil chain etc, and then, if I still have time, I get the auto glym super resin polish out followed by a coat of collinite wax


am I sad?

[DrMekon]

I don't find muc-off does anything for the drivetrain, although it's great for the rest of the bike. For the drive train, I unclip my chain and leave it in a bottle of degreaser for the weekend, remove the chainset and give it a good wipe down, and get the rear wheel off and give it a good scrub with degreaser.

I was doing it this weekend when I discovered that my cassette lockring had come loose, and that there wasn't enough preload on my bottom bracket cups (I'd previously taken the "only finger tight" warning a bit too far).

[Matt106]

hullbilly said:

I wouldnt suggest using a pressure washer, water will get into all the wrong places and wash the grease out of bearings.

muc off (or similar) then rinse with clean cold water and sponge, then use a good quality chain lube on the chain and grease the bearings, WD40/GT85 attracts dust and isnt to good for bearings either

That reminds me I must wash the commuter!

Edited by hullbilly on Monday 11th October 11:34

I don't give it much abuse with the pressure washer but using a hose on a really muddy bike is a long process!

[The Walrus]

bumrar said:

I use muck off too - if its really dirty, I hose the worst off, then spray with muck off, wipe it over with a sponge, then rinse, dry, lube all cables, oil chain etc, and then, if I still have time, I get the auto glym super resin polish out followed by a coat of collinite wax


am I sad?

Yes

But I may get the polish and wax out on mine to stop it getting so dirty myself

Edited by The Walrus on Monday 11th October 14:17

[ccr32]

I personally think that a pressure washer is fine as long as you are sensible with it, i.e., don't go aiming it at bearings and other places where water shouldn't go, and holding it a decent distance from the bike.

Soaking the bike with muc-off or similar first also seems to help shift the crud.

[lingus75]

I think the most important bit is the drivetrain. I find a 4pint milk carton with an inch of paraffin in bottom, put chain in and shake a bit works very well. Easiest way to get grime of is with wd40 soaked cloth, finished with soapy water. I also find taking chain and cassette of ends up being quicker and a better job than trying to get into tight areas whilst still on bike.