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...

Winter, summer, off-road, on-road, gravel, mud, rain, and heat… all these things can affect the best choice of bicycle chain lube for your type of riding, in addition of course to your budget. So, what is the difference between wet lubricants and dry lubricants? What is Hydrodynamic lubrication? Are Ceramic lubricants an appropriate choice? I try and answer these maintenance questions… What Is Chain Lubrication For? Before getting into the details of types of bike chain lubrication, it is worth considering what exactly chain lubrication does. Principally, it reduces the level of friction by creating a layer of lubrication between the chain rollers and plates; it is what prevents that horrible grinding and squeaking sound that you get with an unlubricated chain—a sound that is predictably highly inefficient. However, chain lubricant adds an element of inefficiency itself, called 'stiction'. Stiction is the stickiness factor that chain lube creates; the feeling you would have tr...

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...

Can a bottle of chain lube ever be worth a 100 GBP expenditure? The new absoluteBLACK GRAPHENlube claims that yes, it can. The most scientifically advanced bicycle chain lube on sale today, this new graphene based dry lubricant can offer serious friction reduction, efficiency gains, and reduced component wear rates. Before I tell of my experiences with absoluteBLACK GRAPHENlube, here is the science bit (taken from the absoluteBLACK website)... GRAPHENlube – 5 Claimed Advantages 5 Watt efficiency gain over 900 kilometres, in dry conditions Extend the life of your drivetrain Repels water and does not attract dirt  Dry paste-like coating stays on the chain for up to 1800 kilometres in dry conditions Does not contain harmful solvents GRAPHENlube – The Development and Product GRAPHENlube is a wax-based water emulsion with a special mix of high-purity graphene. It is liquid when you apply it, but becomes almost solid when it dries on the chain. Wax-based lubricants show far greater to...

The Muc-Off C3 Ceramic Lube Dry Chain Lubricant is the latest bicycle chain lube released by the UK-based brand Muc-Off—the pioneering experts in bike lubes and cleaners. I have become a complete convert to using dry chain lubes for road and off-road bicycles—all year round. A dry wax-based lubricant offers lubrication for your bike's chain without the risk of contaminants sticking to the lubricated chain's surface and creating a damaging grinding paste—as is the case with 'wet' oil-based lubricants. The Ceramic C3 Dry Chain Lube from Muc-Off is an innovative new dry chain lubricant that utilises ceramic nanoparticles and synthetic polymers to create a super durable low-friction coating for your chain. The key with any dry chain lubricant is the application. It is vital that you strip the chain of all previous dirt, grease, and oil before applying a dry chain lube; if you do not, then the chain lube will simply slide off the oily surface and will not dry onto the...

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...

Anyone that owns a matt finish bike frame will know that the surface is a bit of a pain to get an equal polish finish. Both my titanium Kona Rove and black Kona Private Jake have matte finishes, so the Matt Finish Frame Detailer from UK brand Juice Lubes was an interesting new release... The blueberry scented bio-degradable frame polish gives a great quality finish to matt plastics, paintwork, and raw metal components and frames. It leaves a great shine, and a protective film that makes dirt slide off the surface — making the next cleaning round that bit easier. A great product as we head into the winter months of constant bike cleaning... >> Shop the Juice Lubes Frame Juice Matt at juicelubes.co.uk here <<

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...

I have been testing out a collection of lubricants from Rock N Roll Lubrication: The Extreme LV, Gold LV and Absolute Dry Lubes, as well as the Cable Magic lubricant. To help clean up post-ride, I have also been using the Rock N Roll Miracle Red Cleaner. Here's the low-down... Rock N Roll Chain Lubes First, it is worth saying that Rock N Roll lubes are quite specific about how you apply them to the chain: You put the chain in the big chainring, and the smallest sprocket on the cassette; then you apply the lube as a flow (not a drip) to the chain on the point of curvature on the cassette. You can't put too much on. The point of application, and the unique 'carrier' within the lubricant allows it to penetrate deep into the chain links. The Rock N Roll lubes are also branded as a chain 'cleaner' as well as a lubricant: so when you then come to wipe the chain off (to get rid of excess lube), you are cleaning the links without removing the lubricant deep inside ...

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...

What lube would you choose for a 3,000 kilometre bike tour? You're not sure what conditions you will encounter, and you definitely won't be able to wash and clean your bike regularly… I chose the South African brand Smoove Lube for the #7Countries7Passes trip. Smoove is a dry chain lube: best applied a few hours before riding, to give it time to dry. However, unlike many dry lubes, which say they should specifically be used in "dry conditions" (suggesting they are inadequate for wet conditions), the Smoove Lube is a 'Universal Chain Lube' - suitable for all weather riding. The lube is easy to apply, and doesn't create a 'gooey' feeling chain like some wet lubes. I applied a layer before heading out to Denmark for the start of the #7Countries7Passes, so it had plenty of time to dry. Through the gravel of the Hansen's Cykelløb Race , the sunshine of northern Germany, and the rain and snow of Switzerland; the Smoove lube performed well. I...

Winter is coming. That means rain, mud, bike washing and bike servicing, in abundance. A few weeks ago, I reviewed the Pedro's Degreaser and Chain Cleaner ; I was impressed, but after you've stripped your bike of dirt and dried-up lubricant, you need to re-lube and protect key areas, to keep things running smooth. The obvious attention point is your drivetrain, and in the past I've talked about Picking Your Pedro's Chainlube , to ensure you've got the right lube for your riding conditions. In this post though, I'm considering what you need to keep your bearings, bottom bracket, headset and hubs running smooth this winter... grease! The Bio-Grease from Pedro's is a friendly grease. I don't mean it's a smiling John Travolta. I mean it's kind(er) to the environment than most. It's bio-degradable and non-toxic, so there's less chance you're killing the fishes in the rivers, as it slowly washes out of your bearing races. I'm pl...

It's that time of year... Bike washing is no longer a once-a-fortnight activity, it is fast becoming part of the 'every-ride' routine. Mud, leaf mulch and not to mention road salt, will soon be covering our shiny bikes. It's time to bring out the big guns of the cleaning bucket... Review: Pedro's Pro J Degreaser and Bye Grease Degreaser The first thing to add to your cleaning bucket, is a high quality degreaser. I've heard of people using washing up liquid, brush cleaner and white spirit to clean chains before; but really, the most effective and safest bet for your bike, is to use a dedicated bike degreaser, from a well-reputed brand.  My current go-to option, is the Pro J Degreaser from Pedro's. It's a 'professional strength' product, which makes light work of caked-on lube, brake dust and road grime. Spray or brush it on, leave it for a few minutes whilst you work on other areas of the bike; then, give the chain, sprockets and cha...

Maintaining a smooth running drivetrain is one of the challenges of racking up many miles on a bike. It awards good recompense though, and a well cleaned and lubricated cassette and chain will provide a more efficient and quieter bike, whilst also helping to prolong the life of the components. Once you've ensured that your chain, chain rings and cassette are sparkling clean and dry (here's a link to my Bike Cleaning Routine ), it's time to choose your chain lube. There are a whole host of lubricant options available though, and how do you know which one is best for you? Should you opt for a wet lube or dry lube? Light oil or Teflon reinforced wax? In this post, I've picked out three of my favourites from the US brand Pedro's, and thought I'd talk through the differences between them, as well as why they are all good choices. Review: Pedro's Syn Lube - Wet Weather and Endurance Protection I'll start with Pedro's Syn Lube, because for the k...

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...

Writing a review of lubricants is rarely a particularly exciting topic; either it works, stays put and keeps things working smoothly and quietly; or it is easily washed off, creates a grinding paste and leaves your chain sounding like a cage full of canaries. I'm pleased to say that the Rock 'n' Roll Extreme Lube is fairly firmly in the former camp. This stuff works, well. The application of the Rock 'n' Roll lubes is a little unconventional: rather than dripping a small amount on each roller, you cover the chain in lube; applying a layer of lubricant to the whole length both inside and out. You then rotate the chain through a clean rag to wipe of the excess, and in the process clean the chain as well. I was surprised how even after a thorough degrease, there was a significant amount of dirt and grime that came out from inside the chain, as it was replaced by clean lube. I tested the Extreme Lube on my commuter; a bike that takes some serious abuse fro...

The Cillit Bang advert comes to mind whenever I use the Brite Ride foaming bike wash. Not because I'm pretending to be Barry Scott, but because this stuff really does work. Bang! and the dirt really is gone! The neat spray head is very well designed, and means that you can spray the bottle even when it is at angles. The trigger has great control, and the foaming nature of the wash means it is easy to see where you have used it. The foaming action clean parts and components incredibly well, and it hasn't shown any signs of degrading seals or paint anywhere I have used it. The cleaner seems so effective, that you can even use it as a degreaser, and it does an admirable job of getting rid of grime from your drivetrain and rims as well as the rest of the bike. A great product, ideal for the mucky winter months to come! Available direct from www.briteride.com  for £5.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Christmas is coming! To give you a few ideas of products that you might want to slip into the stocking of a loved one, here are some great products that you might choose. From bar tape to chamois cream, these are all products that any cyclist would be pleased with as a present. There are even some running laces in there for those doing some cross training this winter (like me!). #1 - Lizard Skin DSP Bar Tape Bar tape is a great way to customise your bike, for just a few pounds you can add a new splash of colour to your cockpit, whilst also aiding comfort and performance. The Lizard Skin DSP tape is some of the best I have tried. First there is the cushioning; unlike synthetic cork bar tape it doesn't seem to compress too much in well used areas of the bar, rather the Durasoft Polymer has continued to offer good cushioning, shock absorption and comfort with repeated use. Comfort is one benefit, but grip is the significant second. The DSP's textured grooves (see image...