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| *Vultures Knob>>>Bike Pedals |
How to wash a bicycle? |
Hi, I just purchased a nice 2007 Raleigh Passage 4.0 bicycle. It's a nice bike, nothing too fancy, good quality, and reputation. Anyhow-I really want to do a good job in taking care of it-keeping is clean, shiny, and fresh. It's a hybrid. I ride it mainly to work and around town. I want to know what I can do to maintain the look/quality of: *frame *chain *seat *handle bars *pedals and anything else. I don't want the paint to wear down fast. It's frame is an Atomic 13 aluminum. Thanks in advance, -George Start with these two items: http://www.pedros.com/product.aspx?produ... http://www.pedros.com/product.aspx?produ... You'll also need a few tools to take things apart. There's no possible way to get everything really clean without taking it apart unless you use a pressure washer. You'll need: metric hex wrenches - complete set from 2 to 10 mm cassette removal tool chain whip chain removal tool a cycling maintinance book It's nearly impossible to get all the grime from in between the cogs without taking the cassette off, which is where the removal tool and the chainwhip come in, the book will show you how to use them. You can get them _kind of_ clean, but there will always be spots you can't get until you learn how to take things apart. The same goes for all the little tight spots around the brakes. Besides, taking things apart is the best way to learn how to perform your own maintenance. Always use a dry lube after you've cleaned the bike, like Pedro's Liquid X: http://www.pedros.com/product.aspx?produ... The dry lube will not attract dirt like a wet lube (e.g. WD40) so it will lubricate longer and stay clean longer. The seat, handlebar grips, and pedals will wear, period. All you can do is keep them clean, which won't make them last any longer, but they'll at least look better. Once a year, you should take everything off the frame, clean it with a good polishing compound and wax it (get both from any auto parts store). You'll never be able to effectively clean the frame without unbolting everything, inlcuding the chain and crank arms. wash everything on your bike with soapy water using a soft cloth or sponge, rinse it all off and then dry it in the shade with another soft cloth. now and again put some grease on your chain, so it won't become rusty...and don't leave your bike in the open where it will become faded and worn, leave it in a sheltered position.. hope i helped!! Aside from the sponge and soapy water on the frame, you should regularly (once a month at least) clean the chain, chain rings (the big gears in front) and the cassette (the little gears in the back) using a steel wire brush. Nothing too stiff. The best ones for the cassette are like pipe cleaners, but made of steel. Be sure to get in the gaps between the cogs. For the chain and chain rings you can use pretty much any steel wire brush that you like. I like to turn the bike upside down and push the brush down on the cassette (in the back) and chain at the same time and turn the pedals forward with my other hand. I don't use water and soap on the chain, just lubricant (the watery kind in a bottle, not heavy grease in a tube or can). Turn the pedals several times and give a good dose of lube to the chain, and then apply the brush like I said before for maybe 20 turns of the pedals, and then repeat until the chain is free of large particles. Don't forget to clean the cassette with the other ''pipe cleaner'' brush, and the chain rings in the same way, with lube. The previous answers have covered most things pretty well. I would add however that you should not use a hose or pressurized water on your bike. It can force water into sealed areas and cause major problems. For cleaning the cassette, I like to soak a clean rag in degreaser and "floss" between the cassette cogs with the rag. Also, after applying chain lube to your chain, make sure you wipe off all the excess. Just hold a rag on the chain and turn your pedals. If you leave too much lube on your chain it will attract more dirt and grime. |
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