SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Muc-Off recommends giving bikes a good sudsy bucket wash and then applying a fine mist of bike spray all over (steering well clear of braking surfaces!) In practice the solvent component has sufficient clout to dissolve minor trail spatter and road grime pretty convincingly, so elbow grease isn’t mandatory.

 

Tested between January and March, the jewel-like lustre lasted about two weeks on bikes in daily service. By then, down tube, fork crown and stays were cultivating more prominent patinas. Second helpings were best when masking chrome or stone chips – some dirt will stick – mothballing the vulnerable areas. That said; its attracted less muck than silicone based products or workshop favourites.

 

Cables and pivot points stay sweet and moisture lurking in stem, crank and derailleur hanger bolts is quickly displaced. Temperamental switches and other electrical contacts also respond favourably to quick blasts but arthritic cables and cleat mechanisms need full bodied Teflon brews.

 

Polishing is the last thing on most people’s minds after 90 minutes interval work and I’m as lazy as the next man in this respect. However, sweat can do horrible things to nice bikes serving on indoor trainers. Give everything a quick blow-over, buff with a clean rag and hit the shower – job done.

 

Ultimately, a high quality car wax will preserve lustre longer and without attracting dirt; a tenner’s not cheap (although we’ve seen it heavily discounted online) and owners of larger stables might find the workshop size better value. Nonetheless; this is extremely convenient and surprisingly versatile addition to the sprucing cupboard.