My Bikes Are Cleaned And Lubed

I’ve been neglecting my bikes over the summer season, and it was starting to show. They were also starting to sound terrible, too. The squeak and grind of my drivetrain was so loud, you could hear me coming from a pretty good distance.

I decide to pull out the bucket and the bike brushes and get to work. I think I managed to strip a few pounds of dirt and grime – or at least it seemed like it. After giving them a good dry, I applied some new lubrication in all the right places. Now, they purr like kittens. It’s amazing how a little TLC can make you feel like you’ve got a new bike.

I need to wash them more often.

4 Responses

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I’m a horrid bike owner. I just want to ride. I never want to touch them when I’m not riding. They deserve better. I seriously need to break out the grease as well.

Eliot

September 24, 2012 at 6:54 am

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I know the feeling, and it is excellent. When I lived in town, I had a weekly cleaning ritual. But now, one day after cleaning, it seems the gravel dust is back. So cleaning happens much less frequently. It was once a desire for a shiny bike. Now it is what we call minimal maintenance.

Pondero

September 24, 2012 at 7:13 am

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I need to do some bike cleaning. What did you use as a solvent?

jennyrilling

September 24, 2012 at 5:33 pm

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Wow.

Mr. Bike Blogger extraordinaire pushed aside the keyboard, the keypad, the mouse, the touch screen and got his hands on the tools (Park, at that. Must have been recommended online 🙂 ) and got them greasy.

I say this with jest. I am writing about the chain lube part, and I know you are wondering what bike mechanics is about and have considered classes and lessons. There’s nothing like going into “the lab” and trying it and figuring out for one’s self.

We talked briefly about this once. Afterword, I realized that I failed to mention that the mechanics at the Local Bike Shop (you know the one) don’t take classes. The head mechanic over there told me so. He’s never had classes either. They get hired knowing a little, and get trained on more, starting with simple stuff, moving onto more complex.

Not to be condescending either. I know you’ve done some stuff. In time, the harder stuff will be less intimidating. You’ll know.

Now back to the online world. Digital camera image uploads. WordPress and Facebook postings…

Ron

PS: When my bike gets too dirty, I push it into the garage where I can’t see it, then go do other stuff hoping to forget about it.

RonM

September 25, 2012 at 11:31 am

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