Cycling for Noobs

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Meglet Mar 2022 5:00pm, 28 Mar 2022 22,477 posts	Meglet I've tried dry lubes and like that the chain doesn't go black and gunky, but they do wear off and wash off and have mostly gone back to a wet lube. I'm not convinced that there's much difference between brands it's often what the shop stocks!
AndyS Mar 2022 5:26pm, 28 Mar 2022 1,088 posts	AndyS I've been using MucOff wet lube, but to be honest I'm never entirely sure if I'm: (a) cleaning the chain well enough before I lube it (b) lubing it sufficiently/too much.
fetcheveryone Mar 2022 5:36pm, 28 Mar 2022 27,408 posts	fetcheveryone Thank you all. I have never cleaned my bike, so I think that's the first thing I need to do
Flatlander Mar 2022 5:52pm, 28 Mar 2022 2,381 posts	Flatlander Another thing you need to do is to clean and regrease the ball bearings and other parts of your pedals (unless you have sealed units). scadatw.com
richmac Mar 2022 7:25pm, 28 Mar 2022 18,212 posts	richmac TFT dry lube here, also good for door hinges
LazyDaisy Mar 2022 8:12pm, 28 Mar 2022 35,491 posts	LazyDaisy Fetch I'm so glad you 'fessed up first - I've never cleaned my bike either (but then I'm only a fairweather cyclist
fetcheveryone Mar 2022 7:45am, 29 Mar 2022 27,409 posts	fetcheveryone LazyDaisy it's only really been the last six months where I've gone out a bit more regularly - but it's definitely collected enough grime now to be noticeable. You should see the state of my car
AndyS Mar 2022 9:36am, 29 Mar 2022 1,092 posts	AndyS I tend to spend a few minutes on mine after most rides - GCN have a handy "5 minute bike clean" video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvzVRxlIUL0 Which is roughly what I do (except I rarely drop the wheels out, and don't use WD40 as chain lube)
rhb Mar 2022 10:20am, 29 Mar 2022 1,919 posts	rhb don't use WD40 as chain lube Correct. WD means Water Displacement. It isn't a lubricant. It can be used to help clean the chain prior to lubrication. Fwiw I rarely clean my day to day commute bikes, simple Air Brakes Chain keeps them going mostly. It is good practice to clean more regularly though.
MsG Mar 2022 6:47pm, 29 Mar 2022 2,099 posts	MsG I believe Flatlander offers a bike valet service now