Workshop Focus: Essential Clean/Lube Kit by Muc-Off

In this Workshop Focus post, I thought I'd consider the bare necessities of bike cleaning and lubricating, with a few products from UK brand Muc-Off.

When it comes to cleaning your bike, the more you do it, the better. Ideally you'd clean the frame, drivetrain and components after every ride; especially in the winter, when grit, salt and mud coat your bike in a corrosive grinding paste. It's not always possible, especially if you're a daily commuting cyclist; it's worth it when you can though, as each cleaning and re-lubricating session will help make your bike and its parts function better, for longer.

These products are six of the essentials, which will make the process of cleaning and re-lubricating faster and more effective...


Muc-Off DriveTrain Cleaner and Claw Brush

Cleaning the chain is the best place to start your rejuvenating process. Removing all the grease and dirt from the chain will let you start afresh, and keep the drivetrain components in better shape. The Muc-Off Drivetrain Cleaner is an effective degreaser, which will help to shift even caked-on lube and muck. 

Spray it onto all the parts of the drivetrain and leave it for a few minutes; then with a brush like the Muc-Off Claw Brush, give the chain, sprockets, chainrings and jockey wheels a really good scrub, so that you dislodge all the road debris. Spray it off thoroughly with clean water, and you should have a sparkling drivetrain.


Muc-Off Bike Wash

Muc-Off Bike Wash is well known for how effective it is at shifting stubborn grime. After you've focussed on the drivetrain, give the rest of the bike a rinse off, spray this onto all the mucky areas, and leave it a few minutes. Give it a scrub with a sponge or soft brush, and then rinse off the muck. You'll be surprised how much comes off!


Muc-Off C3 Ceramic Wet Lube and Bio Grease

After you're done with washing, make sure the bike and all the components are thoroughly dry using an old rag. You can give parts a polish with a towel, like the Muc-Off micro-fibre polishing cloth, and some PTFE based spray; it will leave components with a nice water-repellent shine.

After you've made sure the chain is completely dry (run it through a clean towel soaked lightly in PTFE spray), it's time to reapply lube. The Muc-Off C3 Ceramic Lube is a good option, and the long spout lends itself to easy application. Dab a small drop of lube onto each chain roller, on the inside of the lower chain-line; then rotate the cranks slowly so that centrifugal force takes the lube 'through' the roller, and gives it a good coverage. Wipe of any excess with a cloth. A good quality lube will make a lot of difference to how long your chain lasts.

It's worth keeping some grease close to hand as well; it's easily washed off during maintenance and it's vital to replace it. Remember to periodically grease all parts that might become 'frozen'; such as alloy seat posts, pedal threads, and other high-torque bolts. The Muc-Off Bio Grease seems to work well, and comes in an easy application tube. (You don't need to grease components after every cleaning session). 


If you can manage to do the above at least once a week, your bike and its components will perform far better, and last far longer. Don't neglect the bike cleaning!  


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