May 9th, 2023
Are you ready to get your hands dirty? Let’s face it, many of us just jump on our bikes and ride away without giving much thought to the maintenance it needs. But if you want to have an easier, smoother ride, while keeping your bike in top condition, it’s essential to take the time to look it over and ensure it’s well-maintained.
We’ve put together this guide to help you clean, maintain, and lubricate your bike. We’ll tell you what tools and supplies you need, walk through the process step by step, and even share some tips for keeping your bike in peak condition for as long as possible. And best of all, we’ll show you how INOX lubricant products can make this job easier. So read on for everything you need to know about maintaining your bike with INOX!
What Kind of Tools You Need
Maintaining your bike requires the right tools, and INOX makes it easy to find what you need for the job. You’ll need a flathead screwdriver for removing components and Allen keys for adjusting bolts and screws. Once you have those two basic items, you can get into more intricate jobs such as derailleur (gear) adjustment.
You’ll also want some lube-specific tools, such as degreasers like INOX MX11 and brushes, to help properly clean and lubricate your bike. Degreasers are specifically designed to dissolve & remove grease from metal surfaces that have become saturated with oil over time. Brushes help you apply the lube evenly while also cleaning away dirt & grime from the bike’s metal and rubber pieces.
Finally, make sure you have plenty of microfibre rags on hand—these are highly absorbent cloths that help pick up excess lube after applying as well as wiping down any other parts of your bike that may need cleaning. With all these tools, you’ll be ready to keep your ride in perfect condition with INOX!
Bike Cleaning Basics
Maintaining and lubricating your bike is a great way to keep it running for years to come! But before you start, there are some basic bike cleaning steps you need to do first.
The best way to begin is by cleaning off all dirt and grime from the components with a good quality degreaser like INOX MX11 and a scrub brush. This will remove any surface dirt, oil and grease build-up, making sure that the parts that need lubricating are clean and dry. After this is done, use a rag or cloth to wipe down the frame, chainrings and cassette cogset. Pay attention to fine details like using a toothbrush on tight spaces like the brakes or derailleur pulley wheels.
Once you’ve finished cleaning your bike, you’re ready for the next step: applying lubricants in strategic places.
Applying Lubricant to Your Chain
When it comes to your bike, the chain is one of the most important parts that need to be well-lubricated. Luckily, INOX makes it super easy for you to lubricate your chain properly and keep it in top condition.
To start, you’ll need an INOX Lubricant for Chains and Derailleurs like MX9 No-Chukka Chain Lube– this product is specifically designed to protect the delicate components in your chain from dirt and grit, extending its life and keeping it running smoothly.
Once you’ve got the right product, here are a few simple steps you need to follow:
- Clean the chain first with a cloth rag – this will get rid of any dirt or dust that will reduce the quality of protection that the saliva provides.
- Apply a generous amount of lubricant evenly along all of the external links – don’t forget to get inside each link as well!
- Wipe off any excess lubricant using a clean cloth rag– this will ensure all of your components remain protected without creating too much dirt or gunk on your bike’s frame.
Finally, remember to regularly check up on your bike’s chain – with proper maintenance and regular lubrication, you can extend its lifespan and keep it in perfect condition for years!
Cleaning Your Gears and Derailleur
I bet you want your bike chain to move smoothly, right? To do that, you need to keep it clean using products like INOX Bike Degreaser for chain cleaning. You’ll also need an old toothbrush and cloth during the actual cleaning.
Here’s how it’s done:
- Start by spraying your INOX degreaser on the chain, cog sets and derailleur pulleys.
- Let the degreaser soak in for a few minutes before scrubbing with an old toothbrush.
- Next, wipe off all dirt and grease with a damp cloth before drying with a dry cloth or rag.
- Inspect for any damages or wear and tear to your gears and derailleur—if there’s any visible sign of damage, consider replacing them altogether for better performance in the future.
- Finally, lubricate the chain with a lubricant product designed specifically for bicycles, such as INOX MX9 No-Chukka Chain Lube which will help reduce friction, prevent rusting and keep your chain running smooth!
Greasing Your Brake & Shifter Cables
It’s not just the chain and derailleur you need to be greasing but also your brake and shifter cables. This is an easy one: First, disconnect your brakes and shifters from the frame of your bike. If you’re not sure how to do this, a quick online search should help.
Once that’s done, give the cables a good line up and down with the INOX lubricant—make sure you get in between each component to ensure proper lubrication. Then hook it back into the frame and crank it up—bam! You’ve greased up all of your bike’s components.
INOX lubricants seal out dirt, dust and other contaminants while reducing wear on parts ensuring longer lasting performance on all parts of your bike. No better choice than INOX when it comes to keeping your bike running smoothly!
Tips for Storing & Re-Lubricating
Storing and re-lubricating your bike is easy with INOX products. Here are a few simple tips:
Cleaning
A clean bike runs better and is far less likely to rust or corrode. Before re-lubricating, it’s essential to remove any remaining dirt, grime or other debris that collects on the frame, components, and bearings. INOX MX11 All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser is the perfect product for this job. It can easily be sprayed onto the bike or used with a cloth and will make light work of any dirt or grime that needs to be shifted.
Lubricating
Once the bike is clean, it’s time for some lubrication! INOX MX9 No Chukka Chain Lube is an incredibly efficient lubricant that will keep your chain running smoothly for longer. It’s also temperature resistant, so it won’t dry out too quickly when riding in Australia’s warmer months – perfect for those summer rides! Plus, a little bit goes a long way – so one bottle should last you for multiple lube-ups.
Storing
Once you’re done lubricating, storing your bike safely is essential so that it doesn’t collect dust or dirt while not in use. If you don’t have space in your garage or shed indoors, then using a suitable outdoor bike cover is ideal – not only will it keep the dust off but it’ll protect from any UV rays when left out in direct sunlight as well!
Conclusion
When it comes to lubricating your bike, you should never settle for anything less than the best. With INOX lubricant, you’ll get a premium product that will help keep your bike in tip-top shape for longer.
INOX is committed to using only the finest ingredients to ensure every drop of lubricant helps keep your bike running smoothly. Plus, their locally sourced materials and packaging make them an attractive choice — you’ll be supporting Australian companies while giving your bike some love. So why wait? Try INOX today and get the most out of your ride!