Bike cleaning seminar with Eddie Gripshift at the Sachs tent.

On September 26, My friends and I were at the Vermont Fat Tire Event. We took a break form the trail to sit in on a Bike cleaning seminar with Eddie Gripshift at the Sachs tent. Here are the notes from that seminar.

Bike cleaning is essential for the long life of your bike and its component sets.

 The best way to start is to let mud dry

 Then use a soft brush to knock the dry mud off

 Next use soapy water(dish detergent is good) with a soft sponge

 Then rinse with another soft sponge

 Dry with a soft towel

 DO NOT: Turn bike upside down when using water

 DO NOT: Use a POWER wash, CAR wash, or water hose on high

 The above will damage/rust/ and unseal many of your most expensive components

 If you insist on using a water hose, then use it in a very soft mode, a dribble if you will. Avoid bottom bracket bearings, headset bearings, shocks, and anything else that is sealed, has bearings, or is delicate, including wheel sets.

Once the bike itself is clean then check, clean, lubricate if necessary, and adjust where needed the various component sets that make your ride smooth and pleasurable, when properly maintained.

TIPS from Eddie Gripshift

 Nitecrawlers- dirt seals for the rear derailers  Do not use petrol based oils on cable housings as they are teflon coated, silcone is also not recommended , it is recommended that you change them if they stick. Graphite powder is okay to use on the cable housing.  You should use Tie Wraps to tie the booties of your shocks to their housings to reduce dirt in them.  Avoiding the use of any citrus based cleaner on your bike. It breaks the plastic down of any plastic parts. Petrol based oils and lubes will also have the same effect.  Lube your chain with a water repellent oil, and remember not to be sloppy and get it on your plastic parts.  White Lightning was recommend for use on petals to repel dirt, it was not recommend it for chain. The reason it is not recommend for the chain is that it doesn't get into the bearings of the chain well enough. In the M.A.D technical seminar the instructor liked White Lightning for chains, saying she disagreed with Eddie, it should be considered that Eddie is sponsored Pedro's. Sounds like we will have to research it for ourselves on this product.

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