newbie question

[bcipam]

As for the gears, I have two cogs in the front and eight in the back. The small cog in the front has two settings (half click to the right when using the small cogs in the back). I try not to use the large cogs both front and back at the same time, as I understand that puts too much strain on the chain. Anything else I need to be aware of?

....

Are you possibly "cross-chaining"? For instance if the chain is on the big ring in front, do you go to the largest chain ring in back? If so, this causes "cross-chaining" and the chain will grind against the rear derailleur. If in the big gear, and it's starting to get tough to climb or ride, drop down tot eh smaller ring in front and then use the rear rings to go to granny if needed. This will keep the chain from grinding. Again if I can't explain it properly - ask your bike shop but it seems you do understand cross-chaining.

[CorsairMac]

Here's my 2p worth: you said you've had the bike a month?....have you taken it back to have all the cables checked? Most cables will stretch over time and they recommended with new bikes to have them checked the first 30 days.

[DirtDiva]

There is no way, no how Essex mud is going to come off dry; I've tried,and I can tell you that the stuff is at least 30% Superglue. Much easier to clean whilst still maleable. elephant - you can get a whole kit of Muc-Off cleaning stuff (brushes, detergent, sponge, bucket, bike spray) for about thirty quid. Chould be a good place to start...

http://www.muc-off.co.uk/bicyclekit.html

[bcipam]

Here's my 2p worth: you said you've had the bike a month?....have you taken it back to have all the cables checked? Most cables will stretch over time and they recommended with new bikes to have them checked the first 30 days.

Excellent observation and recommendation!

Loose cables can cause shifting problems. Make sure you go back in for your 30 day tune up.

[Dianyla]

I've always used running water to clean bikes and motorcycles, however there is an important point to make... Don't squirt the water directly at the crank bearing or wheel hubs. Never use a pressure washer, and don't even use a squirty-nozzle that pressurizes the water stream in any way. Don't even use your thumb over the tip of the hose to make a stiffer stream. The best is if you have a mister/showerhead style nozzle designed for softly misting the foliage of delicate garden plants.

A light drizzle of water lightly aimed at the body parts of the bike can work very well at cleaning. Basically seals and grease in hubs and bearings are meant to withstand a reasonable amount of moisture such as rain and water spray. So, keep your hose spray as "rainlike" as possible and you'll usually be ok. This all being said, if bikes are run wet in the rain or washed off often, you should service your bearings and hubs more often.

[Trek420]

eliphant, the Muc-off sounds like a good start.

Yes, take the bike in for a check up and while you're there have them show you how to clean the bike and/or get supplies.

My routine, by no means the best is kinda this:
================================
1) admire bike.

2) use shop cloth or chamois to dust bike, check for scratches and or rust (one of these days I'll fix/paint that on the MTB)

3) take wire brush and lightly brush the chain/cogs/deraileure

4) spray a little WD40 on clean shop cloth and wipe the chain (some here will swear never use WD on a bike, my shop says this gets more gunk off, like pre-rinsing dishes, this is optional)

5) fill Park chain clean tool to level with Citrus degreaser and run the chain backwards through it till squeaky clean.

6) let dry

7) run a line of chain lube on the chain, pedal backwards (bike is on bike rack) and shift through the gears so the lube is distibuted evenly.

8) optional step, clean the frame with frame cleaner or other product

9) admire clean bike.

10) ride till you need to repeat steps 1-9

[Duck on Wheels]

Back on the farm I remember Joel and I used to clean our bikes and chains using kerosene. We'd tap off a washbowl of kerosene from the tank for the chick heaters, take the chains off the bikes, then scroll them through the kerosene scrubbing with cleaning brushes and rags as we went. Finally drip some chain oil (I think we used sewing machine oil) on as we rolled them back onto the cogs, and wipe the bike frame with the cleanest part of a kerosene-damp rag. This was waaaay back when we still had chickens and lived at the old house. I can't have been 10 yet, Joel no more than 12. I have no idea why your grandparents let us use flammable liquids with no supervision (or maybe they were watching carefully and we just didn't notice). We did have a specific place for the flammable rags afterwards! Anyway, you're a grownup now so you could certainly do this safely on your own. Also there are chain cleaning fluids that might work better, though they're likely to be more expensive. And I think you're right that since you're riding in rain and mud, it can't do all that much damage to use water as long as you dry and oil the bike well right away.

[Trek420]

bikeless in WI "I have no idea why your grandparents let us use flammable liquids with no supervision"

and we ran with scissors and took said bikes to the top of Warrington and rode down till the brakes melted and and ....

"Also there are specific chain cleaning fluids that might work better, though they're likely to be more expensive."

There are bike specific everything all more expensive than non bike specific things.... but cleaning/repair supplies...it's all less expensive than replacing my power train. Or the bike

"And I think you're right that since you're riding in rain and mud, it can't do all that much damage to use water as long as you dry and oil the bike well right away."

It can if you get it in the delicate bike parts, so follow what Sadiekate sed

[Duck on Wheels]

bikeless
and we ran with scissors and took said bikes to the top of Warrington and rode down till the brakes melted and and ....

Yeah, and I ran through the window playing multiplication tag indoors once. Still have the scar. But as for melting down brake pads racing down Warrington ... I never dared. There were blackberry bushes at the bottom of that hill! And cars if you didn't manage to stop by crashing into the blackberries.

But we did survive, somehow. As did you, Elifant. But do listen to Trek about bike cleaning. I manage somehow, but she actually cares for a beauty of a bike! And even with my clunkers, it's kinda fun cleaning 'em once in a while. The bike sorta gleems and purrs in appreciation. Almost like brushing the cat.

[Trek420]

multiplication tag?

"it's kinda fun cleaning 'em once in a while. The bike sorta gleems and purrs in appreciation. Almost like brushing the cat"

More like brushing a dog, because like dogs our bikes appreciate it. speaking of which, I should brush the dog

[uk elephant]

My cat also appreciates a good brushing. In fact she loves it at least judging by the loud purring and the fact that she comes running if you pick up the brush.

I did take the bike in to get breaks and gears checked a week ago so that should be taken care of. Bike cleaning supplies is on my shopping list for today (along with milk, cereal, potatoes etc), and bike maintanence is scheduled for tomorrow (along with Amnesty International meeting). I'll let you know how I get on or how the bike gets on.

Thank you for all your good tips!

[Duck on Wheels]

You got an avatar 'Zat you maneuvering bike and a big bag of cleaning gear up your narrow stairs?

[uk elephant]

it is me manouvering cat to vet by bike....

[CorsairMac]

it is me manouvering cat to vet by bike....

wouldn't it have been easier to just duct tape the cat to the rack??