Life In The Saddle

For many years, I would have advised against using a pressure washer to clean your bike; the high pressure jets can wash grease out of areas such as wheel and bottom bracket bearings, and damage suspension seals. However, last year Muc-Off released what they claimed to be a world-first — a pressure washer designed specifically for bicycles and motorcycles, safe to use on the above areas. I have been testing it out over the last few months. The Muc-Off pressure washer is a compact unit and weighs just six kilograms. It comes with a neat 30 litre dry bag that can safely house all the component parts, and allows you to transport it without fear of leakage. The unit plugs into a standard three pin plug and a Hozelock style water connector, then you are ready to clean. You get a choice of three lances: bicycle, motorcycle, and spray. In this order, they vary on their pressure output, with the bicycle lance being just the pressure deemed safe for bicycle washing. There is also a snow...

Should you pressure wash your bike? The safest answer is "no" , BUT if you are careful and target the powerful jet of a pressure washer only at the right places, then it can be an excellent time and water efficient way of washing your bike. A pressure washer can safely be used to wash the frame, wheels, chainrings and saddle of a bike; the areas to avoid are directing the pressure washer stream into the hubs, bottom bracket, jockey wheels or pedal bearings. Provided you steer clear of the above named areas, targeting those instead with a soft brush for the hubs and some degreaser and a chain bath for the drivetrain, then a pressure washer can allow you to quickly remove dirt and debris from the rest of the bike. The WORX WG620E.2 is a portable cordless power washer/cleaner that offers a fast and versatile way to clean your bike. Compared to other pressure washers on the market, it is lighter (1.75kg), easier to use (singlehanded), and has the excellent virtue that you c...

Do not underestimate the benefits of bike cleaning. Your ride will not only look better; it will also be more efficient, quieter, safer; and parts will last much longer, after a good cleaning session. A bike clean may take 30 minutes of your time; but it will save you money and costly mechanicals in the long run. Juice Lubes is a UK-based company that make some of the best bike cleaners on the market. With the autumn weather bringing back mucky trails and debris-strewn roads, I decided to look at their current bike cleaner range… For a step by step guide to cleaning your bike, check out my post: ' The Ultimate Bike Cleaning Routine ' Key components of the cleaning process are the brushes, chain-bath, degreaser, and bike frame cleaner that you use.  This is the Juice Lubes offering:  Dirt Juice No Nonsense Bike Cleaner Dirt Juice BOSS Chain Cleaner Dirty Little Scrubber Chain Cleaner Big Softy Soft Wash Frame Brush Double-Ender Two Prong Brush Stiffler Drivetrain Brush...

It is a sponge... okay? Well, not all sponges were made equal. The SpongeJob CleanParts sponge and sponge cloth, from UK brand Juice Lubes, is a darn good sponge (set). Super soft and super squidgy; the circular sponge is great for cleaning off the frame of a bike. The sponge cloth is then ideal for those hard to reach places; such as behind brakes and underneath cables. It is hard to get excited about a sponge, but these are exceptionally good sponges. They also last a lot longer than your standard big yellow car washing sponge.  Well worth adding to your autumnal cleaning arsenal... >  Shop the Juice Lubes SpongeJob CleanParts  <

Not all bike cleaners are made equal. A bike wash should be effective, kind to the environment, and easy to use (kind to the user). There are plenty of harsh chemical cleaners out there, but most of them are not gentle on your bike, your garden, or your hands. The range from Crankalicious is premium level bike care; made to be effective, but friendly. I have been testing out their frame cleaning and polishing solution... Split out by the four products I tested from the Crankalicious range, here is my review. Crankalicious Mud Honey Foaming Bucket Wash First up, the Mud Honey Foaming Bucket Wash. This is a PH neutral wash that functions like your traditional bike or car wash; pour a couple of capfuls into a bucket and then fill it up with water. Grab a sponge, and rub over all areas of the bike to remove dried on mud and dirt. Mud Honey works a treat, and it is kind on your bike and your hands; while effectively removing even stubborn caked-on brake dust and grime. Cranka...

Juice Lubes produce some great bike cleaning and lubricant products. With the summer heatwave finally giving way to showers, and subsequent mud, I have been making use of the new Dirt Juice No Nonsense Chain Cleaner to get my drivetrain back to sparkling cleanliness. To make the most of this powerful degreaser, I have been using it in conjunction with two of Juice Lubes' other cleaning products: the 'Scrubber From Another Mother' cleaning brush, and the 'Dirty Little Scrubber' chain cleaner. The thing about good chain lubes, is that they are designed to 'stick like s**t' to the chain, because that way their lubrication properties last longer. The problem with that is that it requires a strong degreaser to remove the caked-on lubricant once it is time to start afresh. Luckily, the No Nonsense Dirt Juice Chain Cleaner has proven to be as strong as they come... First I treated the chain by filling the 'Dirty Little Scrubber' up to the recommende...

I first used Motorex bike cleaning products at the TorTour Cyclocross Stage Race in Switzerland , and they instantly impressed. Even in an almost comatose state of tiredness, I was able to get my bike sparkling clean and running smoothly again after a tough day in the Swiss Mountains. Back in the UK, I was keen to test and trial the complete range from the Swiss brand... The cleaning process always starts with the chain, and the Motorex Easy Clean X-Treme Degreaser makes it about as easy as possible. The high-powered aerosol blasts the strong detergent into the chain-links, and drives out baked-on dirt and oil. A quick scrub with a brush and a thorough rinse, and it leaves your drivetrain sparkling clean. When it comes to cleaning the frame, Motorex offers two options: Quick Cleaner and Bike Clean. Quick Clean doesn't actually require water, but instead uses a loosening agent that allows you to simply spray it onto dried-on dirt, then wipe the surface clean; making it ideal...

The 'Scrub and Buff' Bundle from Juice Lubes contains their signature Dirt Juice Bike Cleaner, a concentrated Bike Cleaner refill, Juice Lubes Frame Juice polish, Juice Lubes Viking Chain Lube, and a Dirty Little Scrubber chain cleaner. I have been putting it all to the test... It's that time of year again, when the weather is doing its best to remove as much lubricant and grease from your bike as possible; replacing it with grit, road salt and mud. Bike cleaning is a weekly, if not daily task, but it is one task that becomes a lot more manageable with the right kit. The 'Scrub and Buff' kit from UK brand Juice Lubes contains the essentials for a quick clean and re-lube. The Dirt Juice Bike Cleaner will help to clean the frame and wheels, and the concentrated version works well for chain cleaning in the highly effective Dirty Little Scrubber - one of the better chain cleaner designs I have seen to date. After you have washed and dried the bike, the Juice L...

Keeping your bike clean will extend the life of its components; while also making it more efficient, enjoyable, and safer to use. Winter cycling, cyclocross, and commuting, tend to leave you with the requirement for frequent wash-downs though; this can present a problem if you're without a water supply at home, or when you're away at a stage race or training weekend. Enter the portable pressure washer… The concept behind portable pressure washers is simple: they use a tank of water, and reasonably powerful pump, to give you a decent period of bike-washing without a water source. The Aqua2Go Pro is the top of the range portable washer from the Dutch brand, and it provides you with portable washing, as well as quite a bit more! Washing capabilities The Aqua2Go Pro provides two options for washing: The first is to use the integrated 20 litre water tank, which will provide you with 30 minutes of washing. The second is to detach the pump unit, and use it as an in-line pump ...