Do you mickle?

[Baggy]

Have just worn out some ancient M+S pants and even though I could sell them on Ebay for a fortune I'm using them for Mickling instead .

 

[HovR]

Im one of those people who's name has come to be associated with something he didnt invent! Like Marconi and Bell and ... Er.. those other guys.

Well, we could either say "Mickle method" or "Method where you repeatedly wipe and lube your chain". I personally find the former easier.

 

[Booyaa]

+1 on the muslin.

 

[Davidc]

Out of interest, do you do your own work on your bike, or do you send it to a bike shop?

Even if Mickle'ing the chain didn't extend drivechain life, I'd still continue doing it as working on a nice clean drive chain achieved by the Mickle method is so much nicer than one saturated in oil!

Do my own, though one of my bikes has lifetime servicing on it so it does see the bike shop occasionally if I'm feeling lazy.

The Mickle method is almost the same as I was shown at the bike shop in 1967 when I bought my Holdsworth and I've used it ever since, but decided to find out what happens with maintenance just above none since most of the transmission on that bike is going to be replaced with the next chain change anyway.

 

[marshmella]

I usually give my equipment a good wipe after a long, dirty ride. Mrs F doesn't like it if I simply wipe my kit on anything, so I use an oily rag. I never used to wipe it much, till I realised it might last longer if I kept it clean.
The same goes for my bicycle chain.

I have a regular mickle and now i've started wearing glasses

 

[Trickedem]

I do. Because I cycle with Ianrauk and I daren't have a dirty chain.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Does anyone use multiple chains and rotate them....?

 

[GrasB]

Does anyone use multiple chains and rotate them....?

Used to don't anymore, more because of my old cleaning regime. Take dirty chain off, clean sprockets etc, put clean chain on. Since mickleing this procedure becomes silly.

 

[VamP]

Does anyone use multiple chains and rotate them....?

I do, but the periodization of rotation is slightly random.

 

[PpPete]

If you leave an employer who provided logo'd workwear ..... nothing more satisfying than using redundant cotton shirts for mickling.