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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Couple of questions... (Read 2348 times)
Bennyfranks
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Couple of questions...
09/07/20 at 9:03am
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What’s up all? 

Got a couple of questions...

What’s everyone’s post ride maintenance? Is it just rinsing the bike off? Any lubing going on? Chain cleaning? Asking cause I got a new bike and just want to maintain it working as efficiently as possible.   

Bike came with a dropper post. Really like it. Never used one before. But I’m not quite sure I’m using it as effectively as I can. Does the top of the dropper post sit flush inside the bike frame? (I’m probably describing that wrong) right now if I drop the post then raise it back up when needed I find my self readjusting. Is that normal meaning are others doing that too or Is there a way it just comes back to my normal height? 

Sorry for the long newb post. 

Thanks.
  

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Bennyfranks
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #1 - 09/07/20 at 9:43am
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Answered my own question about the dropper post. Lol. Good old trial and error...
  

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Metalmok
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #2 - 09/08/20 at 10:05am
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I always spend about 10 minutes washing my bike down after every ride. Gentle spray from a hose, mild biodegradable dish soap in a spray bottle, I have a large Muck-off brush for cleaning most things, even the sidewalls of the tires, I have a smaller Park-tool brush for all of the other places I can't reach with the Large brush. After that I dry it with a clean towel and lube the chain.
All told takes about 10 minutes of TLC for a almost new looking bike all the time. I store it on the floor of my garage with the dropper post up. Every so often I use WPL Fork Boost on the fork and rear shock but not on the dropper! Check with your dropper manufacturer for maintenance or it.

Anyway, my 2 cents and my routine. My wife thinks I am crazy for babying my bike like this but for how much I spent on it, I want it to last as long as possible. I also find most of the problems with the bike during this 10 minutes of TLC...
  

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Advocat
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #3 - 09/08/20 at 5:06pm
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Metal's doing it right. 

I don't. 

However I do try to clean the chain and the cassette/ rings after a few rides and re-lube the chain (get a good chain cleaning tool - about $25 I think - and use solution of simple green). Sometimes I re-lube after longer rides, or depending on trail conditions without cleaning (lazy). Keeping drivetrain clean keeps it running smooth and is where you can save some $ with regular attention. Check your chain streach regularly and replace chain when recommended to get the most life out of your cassette. If you wait too long, you're looking at a new drivetrain/ cassette.

Generally takes me a considerable amount of time to clean the entire bike cause I get lazy (and thirsty) after every ride.  Roll Eyes
  

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Tom F
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #4 - 09/08/20 at 7:05pm
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Advocat wrote on 09/08/20 at 5:06pm:
Metal's doing it right. 

I don't. 

However I do try to clean the chain and the cassette/ rings after a few rides and re-lube the chain (get a good chain cleaning tool - about $25 I think - and use solution of simple green). Sometimes I re-lube after longer rides, or depending on trail conditions without cleaning (lazy). Keeping drivetrain clean keeps it running smooth and is where you can save some $ with regular attention. Check your chain streach regularly and replace chain when recommended to get the most life out of your cassette. If you wait too long, you're looking at a new drivetrain/ cassette.

Generally takes me a considerable amount of time to clean the entire bike cause I get lazy (and thirsty) after every ride.  Roll Eyes


Agreed with advocats technique.
  

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Bennyfranks
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #5 - 09/08/20 at 9:51pm
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Thanks for the responses everyone. Great information.
  

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Metalmok
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #6 - 09/08/20 at 9:58pm
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I use a wax based chain lube so my chain rarely gets very dirty, I just reapply after I wash the bike each time and rarely have to clean the chain. Most of the trails are closed around here if they are really muddy so unless I ride out of town and it's wet I don't usually need a heavy lube that attracts dirt.
  

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IntheBush
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #7 - 09/11/20 at 8:01pm
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Light rinse with the water hose after a ride.
No soap here..

Then I lightly wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth sprayed with a couple of sprays of spray wax, and then blow dry it gently to remove the remaining water with an old electric blower.
I also use an old greasy cloth to wipe the remaining water off the chain.
In total, takes me about 10 minutes.

After two or three rides, I clean and lightly lube the chain. 
I use a brush and Rock and Roll gold.

Of course, certain areas require a more thorough cleaning occasionally, if you want that show room look. But the above keeps my bikes looking almost new every time I ride.
  

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Robert C.
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #8 - 09/12/20 at 5:15pm
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Big Rock and Roll lube fan.  Less is more.  Apply to a clean chain and wipe off the excess.  Too much lube = gunk magnet

I do similar to Bush, although do use soap and don't use a blow dryer.

Use Pledge on my carbon frames, less for the shine, more for repelling dirt.  Learned that trick from a similar post a year or so back.

« Last Edit: 09/12/20 at 5:17pm by Robert C. »  
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Metalmok
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #9 - 09/14/20 at 8:08am
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Hmmm, Pledge is a good idea
  

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Bonsai Nut
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #10 - 09/19/20 at 7:02am
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Metalmok wrote on 09/14/20 at 8:08am:
Hmmm, Pledge is a good idea


Use this and thank me later Smiley

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It is a no water car wash product that people use on really expensive cars in California Smiley  Use it on your bike and water won't stick to it.
« Last Edit: 09/19/20 at 7:08am by Bonsai Nut »  

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dave mac
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Re: Couple of questions...
Reply #11 - 09/19/20 at 9:34am
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hit the bearings with lube every ride is the only thing I would add
  
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