on 1/30/10 5:44 PM, Mark Hall at onmybikem...@gmail.com wrote: > Got me 63 AHH all fendered up and out on the wet and dirty roads now. > First time I have ever really done much winter riding. Need some > recommendations about how often and best method to keep the bike - > drivetrain, derailleurs, etc - clean. > Been thoroughly enjoying riding in the wet and with dark clouds above.
Hi Mark - Congrats on the Hilsen! I'm sure you'll find it to be a grand partner in adventure. You don't say where you are riding, and under what conditions. For me, winter riding is generally rain (rather than snow, slush and salted roads), so I use a bit "wetter" lube that will stay on the chain links better. I'll let it get pretty grody looking, as long as it's moving smoothly. Once it sounds crunchy - like after a mixed terrain ride - I'll clean everything, make sure it's dry and then relube. Water/rain is not necessarily bad. Mud and silt worked into the lube like a ginding paste will eat componentry quickly. Keep an eye on the chain wear and don't be afraid to pull the chain when it "stretches". Pay attention to the conditions in which your bike gets stored, too. Leaving a dry chain overnight in a damp garage can cause it to be rusty by the next morning. I use hot, soapy water to clean the drivetrain, then use a solvent brush to get any residue off the sprockets or chainrings. If anything is really caked on, I'll get the SimpleGreen out in various dilutions. In terms of "when" to clean it... Well, here's a good example of a dirty drivetrain: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzahnd/3285966758 I'd say before you get to that point. -- Jim Edgar cyclofi...@earthlink.net Current Classics Bicycle Photo Gallery - http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc Cross Bike Photo Gallery - http://www.cyclofiend.com/cx Single Speed Garage Photo Gallery - http://www.cyclofiend.com/ssg Working Bikes & Practical Hardware - http://www.cyclofiend.com/working Work Shops of the iBob's - http://www.cyclofiend.com/shop Send In Your Photos! - Here's how: http://www.cyclofiend.com/guidelines "That which is overdesigned, too highly specific, anticipates outcome; the anticipation of outcome guarantees, if not failure, the absence of grace." William Gibson - "All Tomorrow's Parties" -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
