Bike Servicing

[Cubist]

Sign the disclaimer first . Baby wipes for the discs; hot water and fairy liquid for the pads.

No, no, no. Baby wipes will contaminate the pads.

Buy some Isopropyl alcohol off ebay. Make sure it's 99% though. Spray it on and wipe iit off the rotors, and use a rag and toothbrush on the caliper and pads.

 

[Brandane]

Brandane, which koolstop pads do I need for my tricross? Your link shows a lot of choice, none mentioned cantilevers. Do you still have the extra brake levers on the top of the handlebars. Ta

These are the ones I use. I know it says they are for V brakes, but on my bike they are the same. If you hunt around the web, there are different compounds available, e.g. koolstop salmons which are orange and made of softer rubber. Just depends on your personal preferences.
They fit into the standard pad holders (assuming yours are the same as mine). You just need to pull out the retaining pin, slide out old pads and slide in new ones, then replace retaining pin.
My version of the Tricross didn't have those extra brake levers on the tops of the bars.

 

[Brandane]

No, no, no. Baby wipes will contaminate the pads.

Just wondering, but what is in baby wipes that will contaminate pads? They seem pretty good at shifting oil from chains. I've been using baby wipes on the discs on my MTB without any obvious problems.

 

[sazzaa]

Buy some Isopropyl alcohol off ebay. Make sure it's 99% though. Spray it on and wipe iit off the rotors, and use a rag and toothbrush on the caliper and pads.

Been told to give the rotors a once over with extra fine sandpaper!

 

[oldroadman]

Just wondering, but what is in baby wipes that will contaminate pads? They seem pretty good at shifting oil from chains. I've been using baby wipes on the discs on my MTB without any obvious problems.

Because apart from being designed to gently wipe s..t off babys bottomes. they have a bit of skin conditioner in them to stop soreness. Which nicely lubricates things. Enough said! There used to be a spray called Inhibisol - carbon tetrachloride - which was an effectice cleaner and dried everything nicely.
Though about steam? I've seen it used to great effect on mucky components from cars and motos.

 

[Cubist]

I don't suppose anyone can recommend a good bike stand? I know there was a thread somewhere about a £30 ebay one but searching for the word "stand" means I get hunners of results...

Try this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=bike+workstand&_frs=1

The ones with quick release jaws are easier to use, but all will old your bike so you can work on it.