Potions and lotions

A supply of cleaning and lubricating products is essential for routine maintenance. Your bike shop will usually have a choice. Ask for their recommendations, since they’ll know what works well for your local environment. As you tackle more advanced jobs, you’ll need some more specialized items.

Cleaning products Always start with the least aggressive cleaning products, then gradually intensify. • A cleaning fluid, such as Finish Line Bike Wash or Hope’s ShitShifter, makes washing much quicker. Spray it on, give everything a good scrub with your brush kit, then rinse with warm water. • Degreaser. This is great for deep-cleaning your bike’s really filthy drivechain. Spray it on, leave it to soak for as long as the manufacturer recommends, then rinse with hot water. Do check the instructions, though, as some can be damaging to paintwork. Avoid getting degreaser anywhere near seals and bearings, too, as you don’t actually want these to be stripped of their lubrication until its time for a service. A dedicated chain-cleaning tool helps to keep the powerful chemicals contained. • Hand…

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Bike Maintenance Tips, Tricks & Techniques (Digital) - 1 Issue, Bike Maintenance Tips, Tricks & Techniques 3rd Edition

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