The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread
Discussion
airsafari87 said:
Bob_Defly said:
I have the gear gremlin one which seems to be canny and would fit under the seat of most bikes. Apart from my bike which couldn't even fit one of Durex' thinnest blobs under the seat.
Yeah, that kit has rescued me a few times. One thing though, sometimes you really need pliers to get the foreign object out. I added a tiny keyring multi-tool off of Ebay, and some disposable gloves.TheInternet said:
With warmer weather looming, what's the best way to clean off XCP? Some kind of degreaser all over?
Spray some Autosmart Tardis over the bike, leave for 5 mins and wash as usual. Tardis is a brilliant solvent/softener, and readily miscible in water. Paraffin will do the same job cheaper, but it's harder to wash away.Tardigrade said:
Spray some Autosmart Tardis over the bike, leave for 5 mins and wash as usual. Tardis is a brilliant solvent/softener, and readily miscible in water. Paraffin will do the same job cheaper, but it's harder to wash away.
Do not do this, it is a strong solvent and will comprehensively ruin some paint, plastics and anodising, use a proprietary bike cleaner such as SDoc or similar, or parafin as mentioned.
RizzoTheRat said:
I have a Cargol Twist and Go pack, and it works really well. You screw a blunt plastic screw in to the hole, and snap off the top so it's flush. I've ridden 30 miles home with one with no loss of pressure. However CO2 inflation cartridges aren't ideal, as you need to put some air in the tyre first to find the hole, and then have enough left over to inflate it with the plug in. Luckily one of the guys I was with had a mini compressor on him.
The idea is the plug can then be unscrewed by a tyre bod and proper repair patch put on.
A mate has a fancy mushroom kit which works really well too, like a big syringe you poke through the hole and inject the mushroom through, and then chop off the excess from the outside
I've got one...and now got a bike with tubes! They are good though. I think I did 3000 odd miles on the Tiger Sport with a plugged rear PR5The idea is the plug can then be unscrewed by a tyre bod and proper repair patch put on.
A mate has a fancy mushroom kit which works really well too, like a big syringe you poke through the hole and inject the mushroom through, and then chop off the excess from the outside
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I’ve been told by a few people (some were mechanics) that copper grease attacks the rubber seals in the callipers, so you should use red rubber grease instead. Now I’ve used copper grease for years with no ill effects, but have switched to red rubber grease as a precaution.
Bought a big tub that’ll probably see me out!
Biker 1 said:
I thought the red grease was traditionally meant for classic car rubbers/gators etc(???) Will it stand up to the temperatures involved on brake pads??
Grease isn't colour coded - eg high temp lithium grease can be red as is rubber greaseUsually when talking about brakes, red grease is rubber grease (a light smear on the seals / sealed caliper pins with rubber bush) and copper grease on the back of the pad
Speed addicted said:
I’ve been told by a few people (some were mechanics) that copper grease attacks the rubber seals in the callipers, so you should use red rubber grease instead.
Now I’ve used copper grease for years with no ill effects, but have switched to red rubber grease as a precaution.
Bought a big tub that’ll probably see me out!
Copper grease is petroleum based anti-cease compound, it melts at low temps, and will degrade rubber seals. It's really not for brakes.Now I’ve used copper grease for years with no ill effects, but have switched to red rubber grease as a precaution.
Bought a big tub that’ll probably see me out!
Silicone/Caliper/Ceratec grease is what you use for anything caliper related as it's kind to seals. Red rubber grease is used for rebuilding calipers to hold the piston seals.
Personally I'm not convinced by the merits of using grease on the back of brake pads though. When you think of the forces involved it seems incredibly unlikely to prevent brake squeal which is almost certainly to do with surface of the pads/discs.
Unless I know it's stated by the manufacturer, I only use grease on the back of pads when pads have complicated plate arrangements and pins (usually cars), I'll then use silicon grease to help hold these plates in place whilst I faff with pins and putting them in place.
In my experience the best thing for squeaky brakes it's to buy the right pads and let them bed in properly though.
Edited by Prof Prolapse on Tuesday 4th May 10:02
KTMsm said:
Grease isn't colour coded - eg high temp lithium grease can be red as is rubber grease
Usually when talking about brakes, red grease is rubber grease (a light smear on the seals / sealed caliper pins with rubber bush) and copper grease on the back of the pad
Cool! Usually when talking about brakes, red grease is rubber grease (a light smear on the seals / sealed caliper pins with rubber bush) and copper grease on the back of the pad
You learn something every day on PH
I'd never use copper slip on brakes, I'd think about using it in setups with sliders which are sealed from the weather (i.e. a car), but otherwise just make sure they're all nice and clean, bed the pads in the right way.
Unless it's in the 'shop manual of course, but I think pretty much all radial calipers will be fully dry assembly.
Unless it's in the 'shop manual of course, but I think pretty much all radial calipers will be fully dry assembly.
I'd really be curious to learn the rationale of anyone using copper grease. As above, I'd not use any grease unless it's indicated, but copper grease melts at about 100degC, eats rubber, attracts debris, and looks bloody terrible.
It's absolutely just the wrong tool for the job as far as I can tell.
It's absolutely just the wrong tool for the job as far as I can tell.
Krikkit said:
I'd never use copper slip on brakes, I'd think about using it in setups with sliders which are sealed from the weather (i.e. a car),
NOOO !Copper slip is the worst thing for sliders it gums them up, it they have the rubber bush use rubber grease, if they don't I use high temp lithium
I freely admit I'm not an expert on grease but I have at least 5 different types on the go
Silicone
Lithium
Rubber
Copper (not really a grease)
Molybdenum
Water resistant
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