I am learning so much from you! Thank you for doing such great tutorials (very interesting / useful content, very good reasearched and tested content, very well filmed)! I am sending a big THANK YOU from around the World / Germany.
This video is a breath of fresh air. When you got the products u have around doing, what other promotional videos do with "bike specific" products. This video being even more believable and experience packed.
Cheers mate 😊👋, Very good one, Just got my first Carbon gravel bike Cube nuroad c:62 2022 model. Nice to have real informative instructions on caring the right way for the loving machine. Also planning doing the Wax routine. Cheers from Denmark, stay safe and have a good one 👍👋☺️.
Nice. I've been cleaning my bike with a paint brush for a while now. I also wrap insulation tape around the metal part of the brush so I wont scratch my frame if I get clumsy
I spray the pivot points/derailures before i polish n wax. Give the rear derailleur a good spray all over, once a week or every 2 to 3 hundred klms. Lube n clean in one shot. Easy beezy. Glad to see you use the silicone lube there also. Wasn't sure if that was sufficient. Clean, high tech, good stuff. Same like F1 race cars. Cheers.
I gave a bike a deep clean the other day, but I had the BB out of it, so used CT18 car wash and savage Auto Smart Wheel King wheel cleaner. My sliding door track brush worked well on cassette, but I've found grout brush at Bunnings which I want to try.
Great tutorial, please do allow me to share my washing routine, i use the muc off c3 dry lube (dish soap soluble no need for degreaser AT ALL) So i blast water into the chain links and spray dish washing liquid on the chain and brush all of the chain + pulley + chain rings and i once again blast it. By this stage the only thing on the bike is dirt on the frame and totally oil free. I then spray dish washing liquid all over the bike without any care for rotors because if you can eat off your plates, your rotors will not be contaminated. I then sponge wash the whole bike and proceed to drying/protection. Since i have used Turtlewax ice seal and shine on the frame and wheels, dishwashing liquid will NOT remove any hydrophobic coating at all (proof on youtube video on the turtlewax) all i have to do is use a portable air blower to blast off the water and since it is hydrophobic it just slides off. I blast all bolts as well as FD and FD as well as chain. By this time the bike is 100% dry and chain is 80% dry. I feel comfortable to relube the FD, RD and chain with 0% chance of contaminating the brake rotor. I bought the muc off protect but i have never found it to be a good idea to spray any aerosol anywhere within 50m radius of my pads and rotors. I wash my bike once every week and they are absolutely pristine.
Great video. Just a quick question, i know you addressed the issue of getting water down your seat post and steering tube, what about the wheel bearings and the freehub?
Hubs have moving seals. Water resistance will depend on the tolerance of the seals. If you want to help prevent water ingress use a heavier grease and more of it in your hub.
Love your bike cleaning and waxing videos. I now do it exactly as you do. I’ve just watched a GCN video on things that may be wrecking your bike and they say to not use Fairy Liquid (dish soap/suds) on your bike as it destroys the lacquer on the paintwork. Can you confirm that it is fine to use washing up liquid like this? Cheers 👍
If your paintwork has a clear coat finish, it will be fine. Some super light framesets have a very thin layer of paint with no clear coat , they are the ones to be careful with cleaning products. Been using "Fairy liquid" for many years on many bikes and our cars with no damage to paintwork.
I would like to run by you what I do to clean my bike @oz cycle Beforehand I had used an automotive paint protection coating called Xzilon to keep the bike clean overall from excessive dirt sticking. So the tools I use: - 7.5L weed sprayer (with steamy hot water) - microfiber wash cloth - automotive wash in a spray bottle (pre mixed with water) - wheel spoke brush I take off the wheels as there are water relief holes on the rims I use a fan nozzle to hose down the bike and then spray the bike with the cleaner. I then wipe down the bike with the microfiber mitten with more soap and get in every spot I can. I then hose off the bike and allow to air dry. While drying I go to the wheels and hose them off and repeat a similar process as the frame. I also take some time to clean the brake tracks with a scour pad and soap. I let everything air dry and work my way with the wheels getting the water out of the fairings. And then detail dry with a soft microfiber towel. She comes out shining better than new. Even reflective. I love it 😊
Wow that bike got filthy fast Edit: if I last cleaned my bike a month or longer back I usually check tyres for glass, deflate and pick it out, soap the bead if it's sticky
In an older video you said the wax should be heated to 90-95°C. What happens if it get's hotter? I left my slow cooker alone and it was 150°C when I returned - dummy me. Did I destroy the wax?
@@stevenleffanue Thank you so much for getting back. I crawled the internet but could not find any deep information on wax behavior in heat other than melting. So 100°C is the magic border which is not to cross?
Great ideas. One thing though water ends up going over the bottom bracket when you're rinsing off the spuds, just seems like there's no avoiding especially if you need wash off dirt behind the chain ring area. I like to think bikes are designed with the mind that water will go over the majority of the bike. 🤷
I mean, I have drained my bike in the shower for two years no issues what so ever and never put any grease/oil on screws, springs or anything else after installation. Titanium screws everywhere, one-piece bottom bracket with coated ceramic bearings (water cannot get in from seatpost and bearings cannot rust) + quality bearings in the headset. I never get that build up of wax on my cassettes, only some build-up on the pulleys and front chainring which I clean with a cloth. The rear cassette I just shower with warm water and it looks brand new, every other month with Muc off degreaser. For matt frames, one could use matt-finish detailer which works great, Muc off has one.
Thanks for the video and more generally the content! I've been waxing my chain with your recipe for 10k km now and loving it (and the bike as well)! Sorry it is going to be a bit off topic but as you're mentioning "skipping" in the video, it reminds me of the only issue I've noticed so far. It concerns the use of the Connex chain and Connex link : on the 11th cog and when the link is in contact with the cog, the chain is skipping. So I can't put a lot of power in this gear because it becomes dangerous. Did you ever notice that also?
@@stevenleffanue Thanks for the video OZ Cycle. How many KM's do you ride with the Connex Link before you replace them ? Not every time you install a new chain though ?
Great information as always. I have used your wax recipe and technique on my bikes and am sold! One comment however. I stopped using Isopropyl Alcohol in my trade, (Camera repair) as I noticed it left a thin oil film on the lenses and aperture blades. I would suggest Methyl Hydrate instead, no oil film.
That's interesting Doug as IPA should contain no oil whatsoever. It can contain water and should be stated on the bottle. Maybe the rag or you wipe it with?
Thanks for the video! That is a fantastic explanation. But I have a question, can I use a normal polish product for a mate paint? I heard that we can't polish mate finish. All we can do is just use matt finish product after washing (?)
Thanks for the video. Any thoughts on that WD40 silicone spray coming into contact with a matt carbon frame? I like the idea of using silicone in the spots that you have, but get a bit paranoid about some products staining the frame. Cheers mate.
@@stevenleffanue any particular one you have experience with? I’ve been using Krush after wash spray but it’s an aerosol and really difficult to keep off the brakes.
Wouldn't WD40 wash off existing grease? itself being a very runny oil, it'll be gone in a short time. I'm not sure if it's the right choice to lubricate the headset with it.
Also the wax chain I don't find very good I have tried it and ended up having to replace every part of my drive train I was not impressed at all it might be good for Australia but the UK it's not good.
I use a paint sealant. Bikes look wet and shed mud , and dirt. Gravel riding gets things dirty lite rinse with a pump sprayer,blow dry with yard blower takes minute's. Imhate dirty bikes
I am learning so much from you! Thank you for doing such great tutorials (very interesting / useful content, very good reasearched and tested content, very well filmed)! I am sending a big THANK YOU from around the World / Germany.
Finally a bike cleaning video that is not a full advertisement video. Thank you for this!
This video is a breath of fresh air. When you got the products u have around doing, what other promotional videos do with "bike specific" products. This video being even more believable and experience packed.
Using the soft brush instead of a cloth or sponge was a real eye-opener. Thanks.
Absolute best cleaning and lubrication vid I've come across so far.
Most excellent. I always appreciate the time and detail you provide. Some times the obvious isn’t always so obvious.
You have big knowledge in bicycles, maintaince etc. Very good video, thank you!
Never Looked back after watching your chain cleaning and waxing methods absolutely brilliant. Now going for this cleaning method cheers buddy .
Cheers mate 😊👋,
Very good one, Just got my first Carbon gravel bike Cube nuroad c:62 2022 model. Nice to have real informative instructions on caring the right way for the loving machine. Also planning doing the Wax routine.
Cheers from Denmark, stay safe and have a good one 👍👋☺️.
Nice. I've been cleaning my bike with a paint brush for a while now. I also wrap insulation tape around the metal part of the brush so I wont scratch my frame if I get clumsy
I spray the pivot points/derailures before i polish n wax. Give the rear derailleur a good spray all over, once a week or every 2 to 3 hundred klms.
Lube n clean in one shot. Easy beezy. Glad to see you use the silicone lube there also. Wasn't sure if that was sufficient.
Clean, high tech, good stuff. Same like F1 race cars. Cheers.
Remenber that Shimano advise not no use oil in electronic rear derraillleurs.
Excellent video!
I gave a bike a deep clean the other day, but I had the BB out of it, so used CT18 car wash and savage Auto Smart Wheel King wheel cleaner. My sliding door track brush worked well on cassette, but I've found grout brush at Bunnings which I want to try.
Great video. I use Turtle ceramic wax on my bike. It makes the whole bike or car really slippery so dirt have a much harder time sticking to the bike.
Nice job 👍
I think I have to bring my bikes over to you, to get a proper clean 😁
00:30 thought you were wringing out the chamois for a split second there! :O
Connex! YES!!!!! Best tip you ever gave me! 👏👏👏
Great tutorial, please do allow me to share my washing routine, i use the muc off c3 dry lube (dish soap soluble no need for degreaser AT ALL) So i blast water into the chain links and spray dish washing liquid on the chain and brush all of the chain + pulley + chain rings and i once again blast it. By this stage the only thing on the bike is dirt on the frame and totally oil free. I then spray dish washing liquid all over the bike without any care for rotors because if you can eat off your plates, your rotors will not be contaminated. I then sponge wash the whole bike and proceed to drying/protection. Since i have used Turtlewax ice seal and shine on the frame and wheels, dishwashing liquid will NOT remove any hydrophobic coating at all (proof on youtube video on the turtlewax) all i have to do is use a portable air blower to blast off the water and since it is hydrophobic it just slides off. I blast all bolts as well as FD and FD as well as chain. By this time the bike is 100% dry and chain is 80% dry. I feel comfortable to relube the FD, RD and chain with 0% chance of contaminating the brake rotor. I bought the muc off protect but i have never found it to be a good idea to spray any aerosol anywhere within 50m radius of my pads and rotors. I wash my bike once every week and they are absolutely pristine.
Nice. I always remove my wheels when doing a proper clean because of the muck I can't get to. Do you have any videos on cleaning bottom brackets?
No. Only replacing the bearings.
Great video. Just a quick question, i know you addressed the issue of getting water down your seat post and steering tube, what about the wheel bearings and the freehub?
Hubs have moving seals. Water resistance will depend on the tolerance of the seals. If you want to help prevent water ingress use a heavier grease and more of it in your hub.
great video , what ratio of water to soap do you use? for the laundry soap
I use "Earth" liquid at about 100:1
Thank you for your video!
Love your bike cleaning and waxing videos. I now do it exactly as you do. I’ve just watched a GCN video on things that may be wrecking your bike and they say to not use Fairy Liquid (dish soap/suds) on your bike as it destroys the lacquer on the paintwork. Can you confirm that it is fine to use washing up liquid like this? Cheers 👍
If your paintwork has a clear coat finish, it will be fine. Some super light framesets have a very thin layer of paint with no clear coat , they are the ones to be careful with cleaning products. Been using "Fairy liquid" for many years on many bikes and our cars with no damage to paintwork.
Thanks for replying, Steve. I’ll carry on using it 👍
Why should we use silicon oil for derailleurs?
That looks like 90 percent of days in Ireland lol just add a bit of wind 😄
Thank you for another practical video
I would like to run by you what I do to clean my bike @oz cycle
Beforehand I had used an automotive paint protection coating called Xzilon to keep the bike clean overall from excessive dirt sticking.
So the tools I use:
- 7.5L weed sprayer (with steamy hot water)
- microfiber wash cloth
- automotive wash in a spray bottle (pre mixed with water)
- wheel spoke brush
I take off the wheels as there are water relief holes on the rims
I use a fan nozzle to hose down the bike and then spray the bike with the cleaner. I then wipe down the bike with the microfiber mitten with more soap and get in every spot I can. I then hose off the bike and allow to air dry.
While drying I go to the wheels and hose them off and repeat a similar process as the frame. I also take some time to clean the brake tracks with a scour pad and soap.
I let everything air dry and work my way with the wheels getting the water out of the fairings. And then detail dry with a soft microfiber towel.
She comes out shining better than new. Even reflective. I love it 😊
Very good. Avoid using very hot water tho...warm is enough.
Wow that bike got filthy fast
Edit: if I last cleaned my bike a month or longer back I usually check tyres for glass, deflate and pick it out, soap the bead if it's sticky
In an older video you said the wax should be heated to 90-95°C. What happens if it get's hotter? I left my slow cooker alone and it was 150°C when I returned - dummy me. Did I destroy the wax?
It will be damaged at 150degC....turns a slight red colour. Start a new batch.
@@stevenleffanue Thank you so much for getting back. I crawled the internet but could not find any deep information on wax behavior in heat other than melting. So 100°C is the magic border which is not to cross?
Pretty much , yes. That's why a cooker with temperature control is best.
The Bob Ross of bicycles 😂 subbed 👌
Great ideas. One thing though water ends up going over the bottom bracket when you're rinsing off the spuds, just seems like there's no avoiding especially if you need wash off dirt behind the chain ring area. I like to think bikes are designed with the mind that water will go over the majority of the bike. 🤷
I mean, I have drained my bike in the shower for two years no issues what so ever and never put any grease/oil on screws, springs or anything else after installation. Titanium screws everywhere, one-piece bottom bracket with coated ceramic bearings (water cannot get in from seatpost and bearings cannot rust) + quality bearings in the headset.
I never get that build up of wax on my cassettes, only some build-up on the pulleys and front chainring which I clean with a cloth. The rear cassette I just shower with warm water and it looks brand new, every other month with Muc off degreaser.
For matt frames, one could use matt-finish detailer which works great, Muc off has one.
Thanks for the video and more generally the content! I've been waxing my chain with your recipe for 10k km now and loving it (and the bike as well)! Sorry it is going to be a bit off topic but as you're mentioning "skipping" in the video, it reminds me of the only issue I've noticed so far. It concerns the use of the Connex chain and Connex link : on the 11th cog and when the link is in contact with the cog, the chain is skipping. So I can't put a lot of power in this gear because it becomes dangerous. Did you ever notice that also?
Remove any wax build up on the spacer between two smallest sprockets. Check the connex link is installed in the correct orientation.
@@stevenleffanue I wasn't aware that there is an orientation for the Connex link. I'll check that!
@@stevenleffanue Thanks for the video OZ Cycle. How many KM's do you ride with the Connex Link before you replace them ? Not every time you install a new chain though ?
Lasts the life of the chain....approx 12,000km
Not more? It seems very durable. What are the signs of wear that you noticed?
To avoid scratches you should only rub on one direction with a cloth
Great information as always. I have used your wax recipe and technique on my bikes and am sold! One comment however. I stopped using Isopropyl Alcohol in my trade, (Camera repair) as I noticed it left a thin oil film on the lenses and aperture blades. I would suggest Methyl Hydrate instead, no oil film.
That's interesting Doug as IPA should contain no oil whatsoever. It can contain water and should be stated on the bottle. Maybe the rag or you wipe it with?
@@stevenleffanue We use a Qtip or lens tissues and found a slight film is left by the IPA. I now use as I have said Methyl Hydrate exclusively.
What's the song at 24:50, anyone know?
Is the video about the seat post boot released? Or will it be soon? (When?)
Some frames have them ,some don't.
I thought there was going to be a video about making one but that's okay. Thanks for reaching out here and my cleaner comments, cheers!
Great video as always! What do you recommend for polishing matte painted frames? Thanks.
No polish. The objective of the polish is to give a gloss finish.
Dishwashing liquid on disc brakes? That doesn't cause any squealing?
It does but it blows beautiful bubbles when you brake on hills!
@@herculesrockefeller8969 that's exactly what I've been dreaming about!
Not at all Rob. Remember to do the final rotor clean with IPA too.
@@stevenleffanue ok cool cheers, will need to give it a crack
Another great video. Is there a SRAM equivalent to the Connex quick link and chain?
"Powerlock" link. However ,like most quick links it is not recommended to reuse them.
Amazing vídeo, the quality of your editing got so much better over The years.
And the song tô, is that yours?
Music is RUclipss royalty free library
Thanks for the video! That is a fantastic explanation.
But I have a question, can I use a normal polish product for a mate paint? I heard that we can't polish mate finish. All we can do is just use matt finish product after washing (?)
Most polishes will add a thin protective layer as well as a gloss. You can buy polishes specifically for matt paintwork also.
Matt finish specific polishes are available.
Love the A-frame bike stand ! Where can a person find one of those ? awesome video
It's an old "Blackburn". Not sure if you can get that style any more Shannon.
Hi - Where can I get the Connex links online? Seems bike shops here on the Sunshine Coast don't have them :(
They're in short supply at the moment. Maybe "Merlin cycles"? If you but a connex chain a link us included
Thanks for the video. Any thoughts on that WD40 silicone spray coming into contact with a matt carbon frame? I like the idea of using silicone in the spots that you have, but get a bit paranoid about some products staining the frame. Cheers mate.
If the carbon does not have a protective layer on it , it is easy damaged , even by water. Almost all carbon frames and parts are coated tho.
@@stevenleffanue Cheers, I'll give it a crack and keep some soapy cloths handy!
I always like to have a cigarette and a beer when I'm cleaning my bike.
Hi! Is it safe to spray suds and then clean with water the di2 derailleurs? Can they start malfunctioning or something?
It's fine. The derailleur are made to withstand rain.
@@stevenleffanue Thanks!
What product would you use on a matte finish?
Matt finish polish
@@stevenleffanue any particular one you have experience with? I’ve been using Krush after wash spray but it’s an aerosol and really difficult to keep off the brakes.
"Matte finish protctant" is good. If you accidentally get it on a braking surface your brakes still work fine.
I had hoped you would use an air compressor to dry out after cleaning it
You can but it may force moisture into undesirable places.
Wouldn't WD40 wash off existing grease? itself being a very runny oil, it'll be gone in a short time. I'm not sure if it's the right choice to lubricate the headset with it.
Use silicone spray to lubricate an integrated headset.
You resemble the great Jeremy Iron, the actor.
Once again Fantastic tips from the #Ozzythebikeman 😊
Also the wax chain I don't find very good I have tried it and ended up having to replace every part of my drive train I was not impressed at all it might be good for Australia but the UK it's not good.
Add 50%/volume of paraffin oil to the mix for continuously wet conditions.
Great Video good old Silicon spray i even use it for lubing my chain and have had no issues surprisingly
Ok why no fenders?
That's like 95% of cleaning the bike, not getting it so dirty in the first place
Sometimes you get caught out by surprise here with the weather.
Noise, looks, drag and weight
Just to say don't use dishwashing soap like fairy is contains salts that are not good car wash if perfect or I have used hand wash 😁
Back in the Shack!
Hambini !!!!!
I use a paint sealant. Bikes look wet and shed mud , and dirt. Gravel riding gets things dirty lite rinse with a pump sprayer,blow dry with yard blower takes minute's. Imhate dirty bikes
you're telling me you dont just give it a blast with the WD40 then stick it back in the garage ;)
Did that to a chainsaw once...dead spiders and dirt stuck all over after a month.
I got you better. I black tape all possible point of entry possible. Stem stacks, stem cap, seat post etc
I dont get wet on Purpose.
It's so excessive. Even the bikes on the Tour de France don't get that much care.
Look after what you have and it will last longer , saving you money long-term.
What’s the polish you used for your carbon wheels?
"Mechanix Auto protestant" from Bunnings hardware