Author Topic: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.  (Read 9232 times)

TheLurker

  • Goes well with magnolia.
Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« on: 23 February, 2009, 10:17:52 am »
Sainsburys.

Packet of two small head nylon bristled toothbrushes in their Basics range at 11 pence the packet.  I wouldn't bother trying their Witney store today. I cleaned them out on Saturday:)

You may find this useful if, like ourselves, your household moved over to those electric toothbrushes and you no longer have a steady supply of old brushes diverted to the workshop.
Τα πιο όμορφα ταξίδια γίνονται με τις δικές μας δυνάμεις - Φίλοι του Ποδήλατου

Charlotte

  • Dissolute libertine
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Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #1 on: 23 February, 2009, 10:22:11 am »
Definitely a top tip.  For bike cleaning purposes, I buy huge multipacks of toothbrushes from the pound shop and 20p washing up brushes from Wilkinsons.  Combined with one pound bottles of degreaser and cheapy car shampoo, my bikes always get a very thorough clean.

What annoys me is that despite knowing how cheap toothbrushes are to produce, I still pay £1.50 a pop for the posh ones in Boots to clean my teeth with.  I'm a sucker for all the gimmicks.
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hellymedic

  • Just do it!
Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #2 on: 23 February, 2009, 10:33:09 am »
I keep old electric toothbrush heads to clean a varity of non-dental grime, using the electric handle...

Zoidburg

Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #3 on: 23 February, 2009, 03:36:59 pm »
I take dead ones and take a pair of scissors to the bristle to make them half the length - gives a much better scrub than a brush with full length bristles

Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #4 on: 23 February, 2009, 04:05:12 pm »
I'm having to go against the prevailing opinion here, and say that I get better results with proper bike cleaning brushes.

I used to use washing up liquid and and toothbrushes, but I found they got knackered too quickly. Now it's muc off/Fenwicks and the proper tools. It's made it a lot easier.

The longer bristles dont seem to splay out as much as a cheap toothbrush.

bikenerd

Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #5 on: 24 February, 2009, 09:19:47 am »
CILLIT BANG* AND THE BIKE IS CLEAN!

* Universal degreaser.  Even has "for bicycles" written on it.

Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #6 on: 24 February, 2009, 09:24:43 am »
What is this 'cleaning' thing, then?  ???
Life is too important to be taken seriously.

Mr Larrington

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Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #7 on: 24 February, 2009, 11:20:55 am »
CILLIT BANG* AND THE BIKE IS CLEAN!

* Universal degreaser.  Even has "for bicycles" written on it.

It's so clever, let's see it clean my hob :sick:
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Eccentrica Gallumbits

  • Rock 'n' roll and brew, rock 'n' roll and brew...
Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #8 on: 26 February, 2009, 01:31:27 pm »

It's so clever, let's see it clean my hob :sick:

I misread hob as knob there.  :-[

Best cleaner for a manky hob is bicarbonate of soda, I think. Dampen the hob, shake a thick layer of bicarb all over it, leave it for a while and then rub it off with a damp cloth.
My feminist marxist dialectic brings all the boys to the yard.


Charlotte

  • Dissolute libertine
  • Here's to ol' D.H. Lawrence...
    • charlottebarnes.co.uk
Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #9 on: 26 February, 2009, 01:41:55 pm »
What's the best cleaner for a manky knob, though?
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Chris N

Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #10 on: 26 February, 2009, 01:43:10 pm »
Vim and a wire brush.

vorsprung

  • Opposites Attract
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Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #11 on: 26 February, 2009, 02:17:52 pm »

It's so clever, let's see it clean my hob :sick:

I misread hob as knob there.  :-[

Best cleaner for a manky hob is bicarbonate of soda, I think. Dampen the hob, shake a thick layer of bicarb all over it, leave it for a while and then rub it off with a damp cloth.

I misread Cillit bang as.....let's stop now while we can

TheLurker

  • Goes well with magnolia.
Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #12 on: 26 February, 2009, 04:15:46 pm »
It's a bit like a chess problem isn't it?

How to get from innocuous to NSFW in the minimum number of moves whilst not changing, or  appearing to change, the topic.
Τα πιο όμορφα ταξίδια γίνονται με τις δικές μας δυνάμεις - Φίλοι του Ποδήλατου

hellymedic

  • Just do it!
Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #13 on: 28 February, 2009, 10:46:01 am »
What's the best cleaner for a manky knob, though?

I thought you would know:

SOAP is a four letter word...

Richard A Thackeray

  • Yorkshire Born & Bred
Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #14 on: 14 November, 2012, 10:36:42 pm »
Don't dip toothbrushes in red diesel to clean the chain, as they basically fall apart

That said, a gallon of diesel has lasted me 6 years, cleaning the chains, on 5 bikes!

It also lubricates very nicely too (but has a pungent aroma, if bikes are kept in house)

Jacomus

  • My favourite gender neutral pronoun is comrade
Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #15 on: 23 November, 2012, 02:36:10 pm »
What is this 'cleaning' thing, then?  ???

Rain. HTH :)
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mmmmartin

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Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #16 on: 24 November, 2012, 05:52:00 pm »
I was once in need of retail therapy and fell for the con of a bike cleaning brush set, which has half a dozen brushes. It's been great, and the one with the three inch bristles is excellent at shifting the muck from around the brakes. The funny shaped one is good for getting into the gear cassette. I also rub some degreaser on a cloth against the brake blocks to shift the road muck, which seems to work, anyway it makes them squeal which convinces me something good has happened. I also use washing up liquid in a bucket, with warm water, then wash it down with the hosepipe afterwards. Sorry this post isn't in the slightest bit smutty.
Besides, it wouldn't be audacious if success were guaranteed.

LEE

Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #17 on: 11 June, 2013, 04:16:10 pm »
Washing a bicycle is very much like making love to a beautiful woman....

First you have to get it all wet before working up a good lather.  Pay attention to the nice showy parts but don't forget to allocate some time to those little nooks and crannies.

Once you've taken care of those bits don't forget to get your hose out and give a good old hosing down.

After all that I generally like to go outside and clean my bike, with old toothbrushes I keep for exactly this purpose.

Best thing I found for wheels (and renovating the reflective tyre walls on my Marathons) are those green scouring pads, about 50p for 10 at Asda.

Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #18 on: 24 September, 2014, 12:52:06 am »
CILLIT BANG* AND THE BIKE IS CLEAN!

* Universal degreaser.  Even has "for bicycles" written on it.


Hi bikererd. I totally agree with the use of Cillet Bang and a toothbrush. 
Also after removing a block or cassette I use a fine bottle brush to get between the sprockets.
Your ears are your rear-end defenders,keep them free of clutter and possibly live longer.

Re: Bike cleaning. Cheapo toothbrushes.
« Reply #19 on: 07 October, 2014, 10:08:35 pm »
I've just ordered one of those snow foam nozzles for my jet washer, primarily for the motorbike but I reckon it will be ace for the fleet too.