There are bike cleaners and oil at Aldi now. Just wondering if it's good or not. This is for normal bicycle.
My bike's chains are actually all rusted from sitting in the garage for the last few years. What should I do to fix it? if at all. It's not an expenisve bike, $300 more than 10 years ago.
Thanks in advance
You can purchase good quality $1000 bike from a good manufacturer second hand for $300
They would still need on-going maintenance.
Maintenance is much less… my road bike after 1,000km only required brake tensioning, and tightening of nuts. Plus much more pleasant to ride than a kmart/big w bike.
Chain cleaners are a waste of money. You can use WD40 or Kerosene (which is probably cheaper) and an old toothbrush. It will probably take you an hour or so to clean. The rust should come right off.
You can buy a chain and chainbreaker on ebay <$10. It will probably take you an hour or so to watch enough youtube videos to figure out how to do it.
Chain oil is a harder one - probably worth trying the aldi one.
I use spray on grease remover (for cars) - takes 5 minutes, no toothbrush required. Just make sure you protect the area underneath the chain if you don't want oil stains.
just ride it, chain will free up
Take it off, soak in diesel, scrub, put it back on. If it's smooth and frees up then all good. If its still sticky and tight, replace.
Drop your chain on pure gasoline for 24h inside a PET Soda bottle, when you remove it it's gonna be like new… After that dry it out on the sun and lube it all over again, drop by drop on each chain link (the gas will remove everything!)
But flying to the US to pick up gasoline gets pretty expensive. I'd use petrol.
Start fresh with a new chain, don't waste time dicking around trying to clean a rusted one. Sunrace and shimano are fine for a bike like this and can be found for $20+/-. As mentioned cheap chain breakers can be found on ebay, however I prefer to use quick links.
Bike specific cleaners aren't worth it, kerosene or cheap automotive degreaser does the same shit for a fraction of the cost.
Dry lubes really are best however much more expensive. Can't speak for the aldi specific stuff but most oil will be much of a muchness. Some budget conscious riders use chainsaw bar oil as it allegedly resists being thrown off the chain. Get it well oiled up, backpedal for a bit then wipe off the excess or else it'll just be a dirt magnet.
Thanks. I forgot to mention that all the wires (with the brakes) are rusted too. Should I replace them as well?
How do you use the degreaser? Just apply it to chain every time I clean?
Ignore the chain polishing crowd, chains really don't need all that much maintenance, especially on a bike you don't care about all that much.
As others have said hit it with some WD40 until it loosens up, take it for a ride to really free it up. That's all you really need to do, it'll be fine.
After that when you remember put a little bit of anything you have handy to oil it, WD40 will be ok but not the best, a light machine oil (eg 3-in-1) is fine. Spin the pedals backwards while putting a few drops on the links from inside of the chain.
Cables should be ok, a little light rust on the exposed parts won't bother anything. If they move, they're fine. If there's rust inside the cable housing then replace them. Don't oil them, that just attracts dust.
You probably should regrease the axles, crank and head stem as they gum up after a while, but if they're moving then eh. Pulling them apart and greasing them doesn't take long (you need special tools for the cranks, Aldi sell a kit occasionally). Oil may kinda work but isn't the best idea. Don't spray WD40 at them though.
Agree. I have resurrected quite a few chains by cleaning with WD40. The really rusty ones have needed a wire brush too. Once cleaned, a little lubricant (my favourite is rock n roll gold) and they near as good as new. I can't believe people will chuck out a bike because the 'chain is stuffed' when 10mins will get it cpback as good as new.
Cables are easy to replace, the tricky bit is adjusting everything back to good again. Plenty of YouTube clips for that and a bucket full of patience if you are new at it. If you are replacing then I'd recommend stainless cables. You can buy the whole set on fleabay etc for not much at all. I think I got a kit with coloured housings for around $10 to dres up my sons second hand bike.
Plus one for using WD40 to clean, but not to lubricate. It has more solvent than lubricant in it so doesn't last. Marine grease for bearings and bolts, chain lube for chains. Bike specific chain lubes are good becuase they are less likely to leave the chain sticky which attracts dirt etc.
My chain was rusted (some links rusted together) and I just sprayed it with WD40 -not a lot- and left it overnight. The next day went riding and it was perfect.
I wouldnt even spend a cent on it. Buying parts and equipment would set you back $50 say for example or paying for maintenance probably more. You can purchase good quality $1000 bike from a good manufacturer second hand for $300 - just got to be patient and shop around.