Faaaaak! No brakes!

[Lefty]

Yes, I'm an idiot.

Just bought myself a new bike - a Whyte 529 with vaguely roady tyres (specialized crosstrails I think).

Anyway, not done much cycling in the best part of 20 years. Went out for a 5 mile ride in the woods with my 6 year old today and we had a great time splashing about in puddles and jumping out of ruts and silly stuff like that.

Now, this bike has hydraulic brakes - ooh something new - and they are awesome. First time I used them I locked up, second time I nearly went over the bars...

When we got home, we hosed the bikes down and, lacking any proper bike cleaning kit, I sprayed the chains and sprockets with WD40 and left the bikes outside to dry in the sun. Just went out to put them away, went for a wee ride down to the village and my brakes are virtually non-existent. The discs get roasting hot but just don't stop the damn bike. I must have got wd40 on them I suppose

What's the approved cleaning procedure for such new-fangled gadgets? And how do I get the brakes back to "oh fk, endo!"

[Justin S]

You can try using methylated spirits or Muc off disc cleaner or electrical contact cleaner on the discs, but wont work on the pads. You could try and warm the pads in the oven to lift out the oils. Best way is probably to clean the discs and get new pads and put it down to experience. Places for pads and Uberbike , Chain reaction etc. Personally I never see a need of WD40 on a bike, there is better lubes. if trying to chase water out the chain. I just dry it off with a rag after cleaning and leave it for an hour to let it dry naturally before re lubing.

[Lefty]

Thanks for that.

Yes, a lesson learned. Will pop into the local bike shop tomorrow for some pads and some proper cleaning stuff.

So...WD40 a total nono?

Any particular tips on (safe) bike cleaning?

[Happy Eater]

Get hold of the isopropyl cleaner used for circuit boards and clean rotors and pads and you might get away with it, or try disc brake cleaner – Muc off or similar.

Also try taking the pads out and using an emery cloth to rub pads down and soak in white spirit overnight, then clean with brake cleaner.

If not new pads are needed – but spend ages cleaning the rotors with cleaner, or it will just happen again!

I agree - don’t use WD40 – it acts a degreaser and can ruin hubs and bearings, far better using specific chain lube or GT85 on the chain and sprockets. I also use GT85 on gear cables.

[Happy Eater]

Lefty said:

Thanks for that.

So...WD40 a total nono?

Any particular tips on (safe) bike cleaning?

WD40 is good for releasing stuck bolts, rusty components it is very thin and is not as effective as a lubricant as even TF2 or GT85 mainly due to them containing Teflon.

All you really need is grease on bearings, GT 85 on cables and levers etc, chain lube on the chain – I normally use dry lube as wet lube causes sand to stick to the chains and create a grinding paste.

To clean the bike;

• Brush off loose mud
• Gently hose down (avoid spraying directly at hubs/bb/headset).
• Spray liberally with bike cleaner (muc off or similar – this stuff is unbelievable).
• Make a cup of tea.
• Spray bike with hose again – cleaning stubborn mud off with brush.
• Drink tea.
• Dry bike with cloths, re lube bike (carefully!)
• Apply brake cleaner to discs/pads.
• Ride bike up and down for few minutes
• re lube and re-dry.
• Curse saddle for still having water in and leaving a wet patch on shorts.
• Put bike away.

Or don’t clean the bike – just spray chain with lube and ride – all the mud will fall off next time anyway!

[Lefty]

Happy Eater said:

Lefty said:

Thanks for that.

So...WD40 a total nono?

Any particular tips on (safe) bike cleaning?

WD40 is good for releasing stuck bolts, rusty components it is very thin and is not as effective as a lubricant as even TF2 or GT85 mainly due to them containing Teflon.

All you really need is grease on bearings, GT 85 on cables and levers etc, chain lube on the chain – I normally use dry lube as wet lube causes sand to stick to the chains and create a grinding paste.

To clean the bike;

• Brush off loose mud
• Gently hose down (avoid spraying directly at hubs/bb/headset).
• Spray liberally with bike cleaner (muc off or similar – this stuff is unbelievable).
• Make a cup of tea.
• Spray bike with hose again – cleaning stubborn mud off with brush.
• Drink tea.
• Dry bike with cloths, re lube bike (carefully!)
• Apply brake cleaner to discs/pads.
• Ride bike up and down for few minutes
• re lube and re-dry.
• Curse saddle for still having water in and leaving a wet patch on shorts.
• Put bike away.

Or don’t clean the bike – just spray chain with lube and ride – all the mud will fall off next time anyway!

Awesome post, thank you, that's very helpful. I have one question... Can I replace the tea with beer?

I only used the wd40 because it was handy and I was being lazy. Like I said, first sentence, first post. Idiot

P.s. regular old-fashioned brake cleaner?

[Happy Eater]

Beers fine,you have to let the bike cleaner work for a couple of minutes!
.....but dont have more than one and forget about it, because it can cause stickers to peel and laquer damage if left on too long!


I have used all sorts of brake cleaner - but found that Muc-offs Motorbike one works well.
You will find that the motorbike brake cleaner is better value than the cycle store ones.

[Dr Imran T]

You 'should' be ok to use regular brake cleaner on the discs. It should remove the wd40.

It should not leave any residue on the discs and have them working correctly again.