7 Quick Tips

February 3, 2010 · Comments

  • After riding through debris use your bidon to rub your wheels clean instead of using your hands.  This will save wear on your gloves and avoid getting slivers getting caught in your fingers.
  • If you don’t have a tyre lever to fix a puncture try using the quick release part of the skewer.
  • Instead of trying to wipe your sunglasses clean from sweat with your jersey, just pour water over them and give them a shake.  You won’t risk scratching them and they’ll dry without spots or smears.
  • When riding beside someone and you need to look backwards put your arm on the shoulder of rider next to you.  This will give you a sense of reference to keep riding straight ahead.
  • Tip for cleaning jockey wheels: Let the chain pull a wipe into the derailleur and when gets stuck there it’ll clean as you turn the chain. Then just push the derailleur until it is straight and pull the wipe out.
  • Open your energy bars before you start your ride or race.  This way you won’t need to fiddle with them while you’re riding and it’ll make you eat more frequently.
  • Use babywipes to clean your bike, shoes, chain….nearly everything.  I don’t know what they put in these but there’s no better thing on earth to keep your gear clean.
  • Neil
    Ok guys - i am an industrial chemist with 20 years chemisty experienceso just to clarify a few things
    White spirits and mineral turps are comparable products (their are small differences but not significant). They are great at dissolving oils but also leave a residue behind on the surface which can be a pain in some applications (such as using an adhesive afterwards). metho is methylated spirits, or in simple terms alcohol you cant drink...its fairly poor at dissolving oils and grease but is water soluble which is why it washes off easily with water. White spirits / turps have nothing to do with metho they are chemically totally different.
    Solvents such as kerosene and turps are effectively neutral as they have no free acid or base to form an acid or alkalii. Metho is a polar molecule and if present in a non 100% concentration may have a pH but its only going to be a nominal difference from 7.
    As for attacking metal thats a myth, all solvent are inactive towards metals, its the reason why you put carby cleaner in an engine (carbon tetrachloride) which is about as aggressive as solvents get and all it does is help burn off carbon deposits.
    Baby wipes tend to be isopropyl alcohol based which is in the same family as metho, but has a better chance of taking up oils. Detergents are generally towards the basic side of the scale , not acidic but again can leave a residue (just look at your washing up and see the streaks that can be left behind).
    Personally as a chemist i find acetone to be excellent, however its very volatile and evaporates quickly so be careful using it. Otherwise any 'pure' solvent is generally good but stay away from deisel as its got too much crap in it. Petrol is much cleaner
  • Mark
    I did quite a bit of research into cleaning the chain a little while ago. I saw recommendations about mixes of degreaser and water, diesel or kerosene and white spirits (a higher quality version of metholated spirits).

    Finally I checked the manual for the chain that I've got - an Ultegra CN-6600 - and it recommended PH neutral (i.e. PH level 7) dish washing detergent. I struggled a bit to find that at the supermarket, because most detergents don't list their PH level. However I did find one, and am using that.
  • craig
    if you forget your tyre levers flag down a passing cyclist or someone in the group. failing that call someone. either way you are obligated to admit that you are an arsehat.
  • Scuba Steve
    Gold!
  • Is Bidon a french/australian way of saying bottle? I always use my glove for the front and top of my shoe for the rear. Don't want to risk dropping the bottle on the front tire.
  • Jack D
    Top of your shoe for the rear? What shoes are you riding with vectorbug, Steelcap Blunnies?
  • Neil_Robinson
    It's French.
    As aspiring pros we all like to use the "proper" terms. This is also why feed bags are called 'musettes".
  • paf
    It's written PROs. No-one can satisfactorily explain why, so it must be true
  • Neil_Robinson
    I'm not pro enough to write it in caps... yet. It's something I aspire to, but know it will take time and dedication to achieve.
  • Mattiboy
    Any tips re the right & wrongs of clearing one's nose or throat? I seem to cop the occasional spray which is the thing I hate most about beach rd on weekends.
  • Junkyard
    I'm half expecting the next time I go into a bike shop to see baby wipes and Mr Sheen on the shelf next to the overpriced bike specific products.... heh maybe not..

    I noticed the Mr Sheen got a workout by some the pro tour mechanics at the TDU the other week. They were using it on white bar tape to remove grime and buff to restore that brand new appearance.
  • Kathleen
    Great tips. Here are a few simple ones...

    Putting talc on tubes/tyres can make them easier to put on and remove;

    Mr Sheen Potpourri is good for the final clean of the frame, makes it sparkle;

    small scuffs can be removed with toothpaste: it acts like a mild cutting compound and is not as harsh as auto cutting products;

    a small compressor with a high pressure nozzle effectively gives you compressed air, great for thorough cleaning/drying, putting grips on mtb bars etc.
  • Jack D
    Tip 4, when you're on your own (or don't have any mates) and you want to look behind, make a point of bending your inside (normally left) elbow slightly.

    If you keep your arms in the same position and look behind you, your natural movement is to turn the handlebars along with your head (normally right). Cocking your elbow means you steer straight.

    Tip 8, if you are doing the Hell Ride or Thursday's North Road ride, wipe all road rules and cycling etiquette from your mind before you heading off. Saves time.

    Any tips on what to do with used Gel / Goo shots? Am sick of sticky pockets, thought that problem was over when I was a teenager...
  • bravedave
    I empty gel into a small shot bottle. No sticky fingers or wrappers to worry about while on the road.
  • Add Tuesday's North Road Ride to that list. It was chaos after the Mordi turn around. Seriously out of control!
  • David
    I carry a small ziplock plastic baggie with me. Stick the used packs inside it. Course, I carry the ones NOT used in a baggie as well - helps me load/empty the pocket with the daily rides.
  • Junkyard
    I tuck my used packets up inside the legs of my nicks. This is just a habit I developed from MTB racing, when there is often not enough time to faf about trying to get a sticky gel wrapper into a back pocket with full finger gloves before that next corner. Many races even have instant disqualification if caught dropping your wrappers outside of a feed zone, although I've never heard a case of it being enforced.

    I don't notice them once I've shoved them up above the leg grippers, and by not having them in the back pockets the pockets stay sticky and rubbish free, making it easier to grab the next one with out dropping rubbish or grabbing a used gel wrapper.

    I often start with one unused gel in the leg as well, if I know I'm going to need it soonish. It's probably very un-pro but it sure is practical.
  • Sam Lee
    Last week I had a yucky ride home - a cyclist in front of me was riding unpredictably while talking on her mobile phone. I muttered under my breath for her to please make her mind up on what she was doing, evidently she heard me and she told me to 'shut up', anyway, long story short, cyclists should be nice to each other, and not talk on their mobile phones whilst riding. Especially when about to do things like right hand turns. Without indicating.

    Today, I had a lovely ride home, despite the heat. The guy I managed to ride behind knew what he was doing. He was using hand signals and understood what was going on with me sitting on his rear wheel, and then when I took over the lead so he could sit on mine. I returned the favour with the use of hand signals etc too. He even said 'thanks ' and wished me a nice ride when we parted ways.
    And all this on the Yarra trail/Gardiners Creek path.

    Perhaps you could do a piece on cyclists being good to each other?
  • Guest
    My tip is, don't use bike trails.
  • Gold! #2
  • Barry
    This is a great one: when you're out riding in a foreign place be it a country or region you haven't visited before. You might not know the area and locals well and need to stop in and park the bike unattended for a while i.e. toilet break, cafe etc.. Loosen the rear quick release and slightly pull the back wheel out of the rear drop out.

    This way if someone attempts to steal the bike, they will either ride it or push it away, in which case the wheel falls out and they're left with nothing. Got this one from an old pro who used this trick a lot in Belgium when he was racing in his younger years. Just remember to tighten the quick release before YOU ride, of course!
  • Bob
    I just put the bike into top gear - but without rolling the chain across. That way, if they try and ride off it will "clunk" into top gear, giving me a fighting chance to hear them and catch them.

    It also isn't so dangerous when you forget that you've set the trap, and fall for it yourself.
  • Mattiboy
    Another tip to slow them down is to clip your helmet strap through either wheel and the frame.
  • kylieonwheels
    Great tip! I would have liked to know that one on a tour last year. Although as a newbie, my bike was so overloaded that it was pretty safe, nobody could move it in a hurry.
  • gm
    here's a quick tip, when stealing someones bike whilst their in the can remember to tighten the back wheel before you ride off. if you are doing a dump & run (swapping your old bike for their better one) remember to loosen your old bikes back wheel to make the pursuit harder if not impossible
  • Paul A
    Gold!
  • MrBailey
    Nice bunch of tips. Even learnt a thing or two about baby poo as well. What information doesn't this blog have?

    Can't tip 1 never crossed my mind. Bidons will cop it now instead of the gloves.
  • Marc G
    I have tried the bidon trick, but you need to be careful as you it is very easy to melt grooves into the plastic bidon (especially if you travelling quickly)

    I like tip #2 - that had never occured to me either - so obvious.
  • bdewberry
    I used baby wipes to clean up my bike this weekend and they worked wonders.
  • phillip
    Re Tip 6 - I use powerbars, and I cut them into thirds before I ride - I either put them in my jersey pocket, or if it is cold, under the gripper in my knicks (to help soften them up) - they are just the right size to eat at regular intervals
  • justanothercyclist
    I have seen people put cut up powerbars or similar on their top tube and it seems to work well!
  • anon
    When giving the chain/cassette/derailleur a decent clean, keep a set of disposable gloves handy. Do the dirtywork, turf the gloves and don't turn up to work with black hands. And buy degreaser at hardware stores, not bike stores.
  • Great tip. I usually use Kero or Metho to clean the drivetrain and my hands get grubby and stinky. I recommend these products as they're cheaper than the degreasers. Also, try transmission oil rather than the more expensive lubes. Not too sticky, much much cheaper, and works a treat.
  • pmark1bike
    I was told by an "expert" to use Turps and not Kero or Metho! Any thoughts?
  • Tony
    I was told the same thing by a senior, now retired mechanic. He reckons that the Kero or Turps is corrosive on the chain and weakens it over time, since it is the part of the bike that causes most friction, interacting with the chainset & front/rear derailleur.

    I took heed of his good advice and have found my chains now last much longer than usual. He also suggested to clean the chain the night before a race or ride and then apply the lube and let it soak overnight to absorb through the links. Works a treat and means you don't get lube all over the rear wheel and into the moving parts.
  • simon_m
    If Kero and Turps are corrosive to the metal of the chain I don't know how we can keep aircraft in the sky. The biggest problem is the kero penetrates soo well that it flushes out all the lube from in between the rollers and pins. So if you are going to clean with kero, pull the chain off and let it soak in the kero in an icecream container. After all the disgusting black crap finishes coming out of the chain wipe it down(lots) then empty the kero into a container for disposal. Wipe out the container, let it and the chain dry, then chuck some lube in it and put the chain back in, let it soak up the lube, and work the chain a little.

    Other problem with kero is it will wash all the grease out of bearings!! So if using while chain is on the bike, make sure you don't splash too much around near the BB or wheel bearing
  • brycerider
    Been using Rock N Roll Gold - slop it on and wipe it off - lubes and cleans rather well. Buy the 16oz bottle on line for the same price as a 4oz at the LBS.
  • Richo
    Got a link - for a new guy who has never cleaned or lubricated his chain (I need those extra 5 watts!)
  • I don't like using any of that stuff. There's a product you can get at Bunnings (and probably other places) called Simple Green. This is a great cleaner/ degreaser that's water soluble.
  • duncan
    Oh I love tip 5...
  • I obviously learned all these things from other people, but #5 I had written down somewhere and I think someone emailed it to me. Can't find the source anywhere. Good one for cleaning the drivetrain
  • jefftee
    Baby wipes.....I think I saw the suggestion on this site some time ago.

    The way they clean the bike, I don't think I'd risk using them on a baby....
  • Yes, but it's such a wonderful tip I thought I'd re-hash it for all the new readers!
  • justanothercyclist
    Girl at a crit the other night had a crash and was cleaned up using baby wipes.
    By the time she got home couldn't breath as she was in anaphylactic shock from the baby wipes!
  • Domininc
    You've obviously never faced baby shit. You put in food, but the stuff that comes out will take the chrome off your bumper bar.
  • Stu
    +1. My boys used to eat sand. The output sets like mortar.
  • leighschilling
    Gels fit nicely under the grippers around your legs in your knicks, makes them easy to get to in a race. Just be prepared for some strange tanlines if you leave them there too long.
    Maxima racing oils High Gloss SC1 Clear Coat New Bike In a Can spray does wonders to get your bike sparkling after a wash and creates a nice layer to wipe down the dust/grime with baby wipes so you don't have to wash as often. I love the smell of it too!
  • I've tried a few different polishes and have found Mr Sheen to be comparable to some bike/car specific products - dirt cheap too! Oh, it also works great for maintenance of Speedplay cleats.
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