Cleaning and lubing - London Fixed-gear and Single-speed

matt (baddesigner) · 11th August 2008

hey kids.
so, now we're getting some nice wet weather back on the scene, i was curious what you ladies and gents use to clean your bikes and what would you recommend for good lubrication of said bikes. currently i rub down with muc-off, wash and polish with a little gt-85, and use gt-85 on the chain too. am i going to hell? any pointers?

gabes · 11th August 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsCbgwcTRNY

TheBrick(Tommy) · 11th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt (baddesigner)

clean your bikes

Sorry I don't understand.

motman · 11th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsCbgwcTRNY

haha... watch your fingers!

The Seldom Killer · 11th August 2008

I usually remove the wheels and wash the bike and wheels down with good old fashioned washing up liquid in hot water. rinse with more hot water and leave to dry in doors after lubricating.

I use GT85 for lubrication. Spray on leave for about five minutes, wipe off to remove dirt and the like. Respray and wipe off excess.

deadly fanny pack · 11th August 2008

GT85?

thats the stuff you use to strip away oil.

The Seldom Killer · 11th August 2008

According to their website it cleans, protects and lubricates. Rather controversially, I've found that it does what it says on the tin.

deadly fanny pack · 11th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Seldom Killer

According to their website it cleans, protects and lubricates. Rather controversially, I've found that it does what it says on the tin.

any oil will have some lubricating qualities. WD40 and GT85 act as solvents stripping away factory dip grease. They evaporate quickly leaving a very light film, this is sufficent for lubricating a door hinge etc. But for a bicycle chain something a little denser is better.

If you look at stuff labelled 'chain oil' and 'chain wax' you will notice they are all a lot thicker than GT85 and wont evaporate.

matt (baddesigner) · 11th August 2008

i used to use a cheap cross-country chain oil from a bike shop, a thick green oil that seemed to just pull dirt to itself and gunk up the chain. gt85 every now and again seems ok, maybe something more heavy would be good but what?

Raouligan · 11th August 2008

I tend not to use washing up liquid at all as it contains salts that scratch the paint/lacquer and end up leaving it dull. Hope Shitshifter to clean and then removal of wheels and brakes to apply a wax treatment for shine.

deadly fanny pack · 11th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt (baddesigner)

i used to use a cheap cross-country chain oil from a bike shop, a thick green oil that seemed to just pull dirt to itself and gunk up the chain. gt85 every now and again seems ok, maybe something more heavy would be good but what?

any of those chain oils are fine.

You can use gt85/wd40 to clean off old gunky oil& grime.

Then apply your chain thicker chain oil liberally.

Then importantly, wipe off as MUCH of the oil as possible with a cloth.
You are aiming to leave only the inner concealed joints oily.

Some people actually use WD40 again at the end to take the excess oil off, but you have to spray it into a cloth and wipe off carefully otherwise youll strip the oil off again!

bikepimp-rcyb · 11th August 2008

a dry lube will stay gunk free
wd40/ gt85 are less than 25% lube
and the rest is propelant

11th August 2008	#1
matt (baddesigner)	Cleaning and lubing hey kids. so, now we're getting some nice wet weather back on the scene, i was curious what you ladies and gents use to clean your bikes and what would you recommend for good lubrication of said bikes. currently i rub down with muc-off, wash and polish with a little gt-85, and use gt-85 on the chain too. am i going to hell? any pointers?
	quote reply

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11th August 2008	#2
gabes	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsCbgwcTRNY
	quote reply

11th August 2008	#5
The Seldom Killer	I usually remove the wheels and wash the bike and wheels down with good old fashioned washing up liquid in hot water. rinse with more hot water and leave to dry in doors after lubricating. I use GT85 for lubrication. Spray on leave for about five minutes, wipe off to remove dirt and the like. Respray and wipe off excess.
	quote reply

11th August 2008	#6
deadly fanny pack	GT85? thats the stuff you use to strip away oil.
	quote reply

11th August 2008	#10
Raouligan	I tend not to use washing up liquid at all as it contains salts that scratch the paint/lacquer and end up leaving it dull. Hope Shitshifter to clean and then removal of wheels and brakes to apply a wax treatment for shine.
	quote reply

11th August 2008	#12
bikepimp-rcyb	a dry lube will stay gunk free wd40/ gt85 are less than 25% lube and the rest is propelant
	quote reply

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