The Cycling Thread

[Drew Carey]

Originally Posted by Dipper

+1 on that, I wouldn't use my road bike for the commute and use an old MTB with huge mudguards, looks cr*p but never have to clean it and use cheap 7 speed parts (though not poor quality) to maintain it. Still manage 15mph+ averages over an 11 mile commute on a bike that weighs 15- 20kg loaded.

Yup, I have the added benefit of no gears - as converted mine to single speed. Thus cleaning and maintenance takes me 5-10 mins each weekend. I still average around 11mph on my 10mile commute, but thats only because I have a mahoosive hill to go up and over on way in and way out! lol

It was the same average as on the hybrid, I just work harder......I found having extra gears was making me lazy!!!

I found a Crud Catcher front and rear and a fork spray protector a god send too.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by krhall

Guess what - rare as rocking horse poo!

Surely your LBS can get you one

[fizzwheel]

Well my look stood up to a Summer of regular commutes / training rides with no problems at all. I'm using it again at the moment as I cant be bothered fishing the single speed out of the garage, All I've done is fit a set of crud guards to keep the cack off it and its much nicer to ride than my single speed is.

[Dipper]

The thing I found was even with full guards the chain was still getting a pounding with crud and not lasting. My commute's a bit mixed, nearly all paved but some of the lanes in a bad state. I made a rubber mudflap (don't laugh too hard) that nearly touches the ground at the front and now I can bomb through puddles and crud at full pelt, feet and bike stay clean and dry Huge plus side for me is bombing though puddles cleans the crud off.

.......I just couldn't bring myself to put my Tifosi though that sort of stuff, plus I'd be getting weekly punctures.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Dipper

The thing I found was even with full guards the chain was still getting a pounding with crud and not lasting.

The rear Crud Catcher 2 guard has a flap that extends behind the downtube that protects the front mech and it seems to direct alot of spray and crud away from the chain.

TBH I am a bit OCD with my stuff and in the winter I will clean the chain twice a week or sometimes after every ride if its been a particularly nasty.

Same sort of commute, mostly back lanes or country B roads so plenty of mud and grime on a wet day to contend with.

Its that same thing about looking after what you use, if you ride it every day you need to either stay on top of the maintenance or buy a hack that you dont care about...

[Dipper]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Its that same thing about looking after what you use, if you ride it every day you need to either stay on top of the maintenance or buy a hack that you dont care about...

Absolutely, unfortunately I've never been good at keeping things clean, good intentions and all that but likewise really anal about maintenance, IMO you have to be if you don't want it to let you down on a pitch black night in the middle of nowhere.

[maviczap]

Yes, back roads round here are covered in mud & cow poo from farm vehicles.

I usually spray everything with WD40 or Gt85 after a ride and give it a proper clean every so often.

My winter bike isn't getting abused like your commuter bikes are and the only way to really beat the muck is to have a sealed hub gear system, with a belt drive or fully enclosed chain

[Dipper]

I've heard WD40 isn't very good for chains, too much solvent, I've been using chainsaw oil and some say ATF is the best thing but not sure if I really want to enter into the whole chain lube debate:s

[Drew Carey]

I've heard that about WD40 also, I use the wet chain lube that comes in a little black and green bottle - can't remember the make. It gets everywhere and makes a mess - but, I find it easy to wash off with a good bucket of hot soapy water and a sponge. I just clean it down on a weekend in 5-10 mins and job done.

On the full sus however, I use the wax etc, as then I am not forever cleaning the MTB too much. When the salt goes away, I will probably then use wax on my commuter too - that way I won't have to clean every weekend but every so often in stead.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Dipper

I've heard WD40 isn't very good for chains, too much solvent, I've been using chainsaw oil and some say ATF is the best thing but not sure if I really want to enter into the whole chain lube debate:s

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

I've heard that about WD40 also, I use the wet chain lube that comes in a little black and green bottle - can't remember the make. It gets everywhere and makes a mess - but, I find it easy to wash off with a good bucket of hot soapy water and a sponge. I just clean it down on a weekend in 5-10 mins and job done.

On the full sus however, I use the wax etc, as then I am not forever cleaning the MTB too much. When the salt goes away, I will probably then use wax on my commuter too - that way I won't have to clean every weekend but every so often in stead.

WD is only bad for chains with O rings, and cycle chains don't have O rings, so its not too bad & its a water dispersant. But I prefer GT85, depends what's nearest to hand when I get into the garage.

ATF is a little too thick and will gum up the works & grit will stick to it.

Wax based lubes are the best, wet or dry versions

But I've found wax is best applied to a clean chain, so i don't apply it after every ride