It's that time of the year where it's time to dust off your bikes and get them ready to go for the season. We are going to walk you through a range of Muc-Off products that will have your bike shining like brand new and running as smooth as possible. The crew here at the shop are all fans of Muc-Off because they offer a wide range of products that help you follow a simple three step process: clean, protect, and lube. Get your bike dusted off, polished clean, and lubed up before you hit the trails.
Get your bike shining just like this Yeti SB100 with some top shelf Muc-Off products!
Step 1, give your bike a basic wash. Actually, take that back, there isn't anything basic about the Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Cleaner. The Nano Tech wash is designed to breakdown and lift dirt and grime at a microscopic level, all while taking care of the paint finish on your bike. The Nano Tech cleaner comes in a spray bottle and can be sprayed over the entire bike. Using a water hose, first spray off all of the loose dirt on your bike. Next spray down your bike with the Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Cleaner and scrub your bike either with a Muc-Off Soft Washing Brush or a sponge. Finally, give your bike a rinse and it should be all clean! You'll see the Nano Tech cleaner will loosen and lift dirt and grime in those hard to reach places.
Even though the frame, front fork, wheels, and tires are relatively easy to clean, sometimes the drivetrain can be a bit tough. Over time, dirt and grime will collect all over your drivetrain and because of chainlube can stick to the chainring and pulley wheels. This is where the Muc-Off Drivetrain Cleaner comes in to play. The Drivetrain Cleaner is like shampoo for your drivetrain. Just like shampoo, Muc-Off's Drivetrain Cleaner helps eliminate all of the oils on your drivetrain. This drivetrain cleaner comes in a pourable/spray bottle. After you have already used the Nano Tech Bike Cleaner, apply the Muc-Off Drivetrain Cleaner on your chain, cassette, derailleur, and chainring. Next, brush clean your drivetrain with the Muc-Off Claw Brush and make sure to keep that brush separate from the rest of your bike. You wouldn't want to clean your drivetrain with one brush and then use that brush on your brake rotors.
Now that your bike has been washed and all the oils have been stripped off your drivetrain, now it's time to apply some Muc-Off Bike Protect on your frame. The Bike Protect is an aerosol so be careful not to get any overspray on your brake rotors or pads. The Bike Protect is an oil based spray that will not only give your bike an incredible shine but also applies a protective layer that will keep moisture and dirt from sticking to your bike. You can even spray Bike Protect on to your chain to push out any moisture there before you apply chain lube. The Muc-Off Bike Protect Cleaner is one of the most versatile products in the Muc-Off lineup. Use it for just about anything and be sure to keep it away from your brakes.
Now it's time to lube your chain. After using the Drivetrain Cleaner and the Bike Protect on your chain, pick one of the different Muc-Off chain lubes to properly lubricate your chain. This will keep your drivetrain shifting properly and elongate the lifespan of your chain, cassette, and chainring. We prefer the Muc-Off Bio Dry Lube because it is the thinnest and lightest chain lube in the lineup. If you are someone who is always riding in muddy and wet conditions, the Muc-Off Bio Wet Lube might be your best bet. Make sure to dry your chain first, running the chain through a clean rag in your hands. Apply the chain lube one full rotation of the chain and wipe off any excess with a rag. If you need a refresher on tuning your rear derailleur, be sure to check out our video How To: Installing a Rear Derailleur Like a Pro!
If your bike has been sitting in the garage all winter, chances are most of your tire sealant has dried up. Even though tubeless tires are designed to keep sealant inside the tire, some tires are more porous than others. If you haven't been riding your bike in a few months, it would be safe to check how tire sealant is still inside the tire. You can either remove half the beed of the tire or just add sealant directly into the valve. The Muc-Off No Puncture Tire Sealant is designed to fill wholes up to 6mm across and is non-corrosive ammonia free. For a 26 inch or 27.5 inch tire, add 60-75ml of No Puncture Sealant. For a 29 inch tire, add 100-140ml of sealant.