Getting it on

[slippy900]

Hi everyone i'm new and been hovering around this forum all morning, its great reading all the stuff peoples writing in, i've just bought my first new bike but as always its raining so much for our so called heatwave 2012 (yet again)

 

[Nihal]

slippy009 to the forum.Just make sure none of these people trip you up

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Ah, when you learn to love the rain on your bike you know you've crossed a line

Personally I love riding in the rain, just as long as I have time to clean and lube my chain afterwards!

 

[slippy900]

I don't really mind the rain actually it just would be nice to do my first cycle dry. Can you advise me what steps can I do to maintain my bike if I've been out in the rain? Do I wd40 the chain everytime and just dry cloth it? I know it's pretty lame of me to ask :-(

 

[Nihal]

I don't really mind the rain actually it just would be nice to do my first cycle dry. Can you advise me what steps can I do to maintain my bike if I've been out in the rain? Do I wd40 the chain everytime and just dry cloth it? I know it's pretty lame of me to ask :-(

Ah but everyones new here sometime or the other.If you want something specific just post a thread and you'll get some good advice

 

[defy-one]

Welcome

Only use wd40 as a last resort. I would use a proper chain lubricant. Go to wiggle.co.uk or your lbs

 

[Nearly there]

Gt85 is a popular choice

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I don't really mind the rain actually it just would be nice to do my first cycle dry. Can you advise me what steps can I do to maintain my bike if I've been out in the rain? Do I wd40 the chain everytime and just dry cloth it? I know it's pretty lame of me to ask :-(

I like the GT85 stuff. Once a week I go round the chain with an old toothbrush, then grab a rag and loosely gripping the bottom 'run' of the chain turn the crank a few times. I think put a tiny spray of GT85 on the inside of each link to kick out the gunk. Then if I remember I run the chain through a different bit of the cloth so that GT85 doesn't drip onto my daughter's buggy (which lives under where my bike hangs!)

 

[slippy900]

Thanks for the tip, no doubt I'll have plenty more to ask the very near future.

 

[skudupnorth]

Welcome to the site,you should have some good riding in the I.O.M.,used to go over there when the reall rally cars ( Grp-B) were there,stunning scenary

 

[HovR]

After wet rides on the nice bike I tend to blast the drive chain with the air compressor and relube, although not everyone has this facility. I personally wouldn't recommend using WD40 or GT85 as a chain lubricant, although it's better than no lubricant (unless it's a new chain, in which case it can wash out the factory lubricant).

I recommend the Finish Line range of cycle specific lubricants. After a wet ride, wipe down your chain with some old rags, then apply a drop of lubricant to each roller. Spin the pedals around for 30 seconds or so to work in the lubricant, then wipe off the excess. Remember it's the inside of the chain you want lubricated, not so much the outside.

When riding in the wet, you will find that dirt build up over the bike is far accelerated compared to on dry roads. Try to keep on top of this, and give your bike a quick clean when you get home - Otherwise your bike and its parts will end up filthy, which may reduce shifting performance (and looks!).

Don't worry about asking questions you think may be obvious to others - Everyone has been there!

 

[slippy900]

Welcome to the site,you should have some good riding in the I.O.M.,used to go over there when the reall rally cars ( Grp-B) were there,stunning scenary

Welcome to the site,you should have some good riding in the I.O.M.,used to go over there when the reall rally cars ( Grp-B) were there,stunning scenary

How you doing mate? Yeh i'm looking forward to it, just waiting for this bleeding rain to STOP!!! Was only anticipating using my new bike for commuting to and from my work which is approx 13 miles each way but i've been thinking it would be nice to attempt the TT coarse which is about 37miles, maybe leave that for a weekend eh? It will a nice challenge for me . Do you do a lot of cycling buddy?

 

[slippy900]

After wet rides on the nice bike I tend to blast the drive chain with the air compressor and relube, although not everyone has this facility. I personally wouldn't recommend using WD40 or GT85 as a chain lubricant, although it's better than no lubricant (unless it's a new chain, in which case it can wash out the factory lubricant).

I recommend the Finish Line range of cycle specific lubricants. After a wet ride, wipe down your chain with some old rags, then apply a drop of lubricant to each roller. Spin the pedals around for 30 seconds or so to work in the lubricant, then wipe off the excess. Remember it's the inside of the chain you want lubricated, not so much the outside.

When riding in the wet, you will find that dirt build up over the bike is far accelerated compared to on dry roads. Try to keep on top of this, and give your bike a quick clean when you get home - Otherwise your bike and its parts will end up filthy, which may reduce shifting performance (and looks!).

Don't worry about asking questions you think may be obvious to others - Everyone has been there!

Thanks mate for the useful advise i will certainly keep it in mind but its not stopping me pray for a bit of sun, surely we will get some sun this year

 

[skudupnorth]

Do you do a lot of cycling buddy?[/quote]
Cannot get enough of it ! I try to ride instead of driving because it is such a pleasure and you can stop and look at stuff without worrying where to park a big lump of a car,it's just brilliant freedom.Couple of years ago i rode to Cornwall from Manchester,camping all the way down,fantastic experience !

 

[slippy900]

Do you do a lot of cycling buddy?

Cannot get enough of it ! I try to ride instead of driving because it is such a pleasure and you can stop and look at stuff without worrying where to park a big lump of a car,it's just brilliant freedom.Couple of years ago i rode to Cornwall from Manchester,camping all the way down,fantastic experience ![/quote] That's sounds great, I know where your coming from mate, when I was out earlier in the year I loved it and I've never really taken an interest in anything, but when out cycling I feel great and when I've cycled to my work I feel I've achieved something.