What can you say about one of our biggest selling brands at The Ark Cycles - Muc-off. OK, we are obsessed! The range is huge and awesome, but when you're new to the brand or perhaps you've only used the classic Muc-off pink cleaning fluid then you might need some tips to help navigate the product range. This post will help you understand the more complete range, what you need to use, and when you need to use it.
Remember that the whole idea behind Muc-off is to keep your bikes looking their pristine best! They provide products to help you clean, protect and lube your bike so we'll run through the products in that order.
Step 1 : Cleaning your bike
Nano tech bike cleaner
Let's start with the classic! This proven bike cleaning fluid has incredible cleaning power because it contains Muc-offs revolutionary Nano Technology that breaks down dirt and grime at the microscopic level, while also caring for your bike’s delicate finish.
Give your whole bike including the frame and the wheels a good spray and let it soak for a few minutes. Then wash, wipe (with a Muc-off soft washing brush) and watch the dirt and grime disappear!
Another nice feature is the eco refill sachets. Rather than buying a new bottle each time, once you have your bottle with spray nozzle, you can buy concentrated eco refills which amount to 89% less packaging. This is a great way to save money and do your bit for the environment while you're at it!
Waterless wash
Ever been pushed for time while cleaning your bike? Of course you have! Muc-off's waterless wash is a good alternative when you don't have time to fully clean your bike with water, or perhaps you're away from home and don't have any water to hand. Best used with moderate amounts of dirt only on your bike, this product still does a great job and it cleans and polishes in seconds, all without needing any water.
Bio-Drivetrain cleaner
Designed for the entire drivetrain, this cleaning fluid can either be poured into a chain cleaning device or sprayed directly onto your chain rings, rear cassettes and derailleurs to clean your entire drivetrain in seconds.
It's also fully biodegradable and safe for metal, plastic, rubber and seals.
Disc break cleaner
Let's face it, we all hate noisy, squealing disc brakes! Dirt on the breaks not only reduces their efficiency but also leads to noisy breaking. Muc-off's disc break cleaner not only improves braking performance by removing dust, oil, dirt and grime but its formula includes added conditioners which rehydrate your disc brake pads to reduce brake squeal. Not only that but this will prolong the disc pad life and ensure optimum braking performance.
Soft washing brush
So you've sprayed your bike with nano tech bike cleaner, and started to hose it down. You need a soft brush to wipe away the dirt and grime while also caring for your frame's paintwork and other delicate finishes.
The Muc-off soft washing brush has a sintered bristle compound so you can clean your bike frame and components safe in the knowledge you're not going to damage them with a brush that's too abrasive.
It's also worth noting that you can buy these brushes individually in a range of different sizes but you can also buy handy multi-packs with brushes ranging from the large brush ideal for frames to smaller brushes ideal for fiddly areas and smaller components.
Expanding sponge
As a good alternative to the soft brush, the expanding sponge is also great for cleaning down your frame. This sponge starts off being vacuum packed, and once you add water, it expands to become a great cleaning tool.
Drivetrain detailing brush
When you're using Muc-off drive train cleaning fluid, you need a brush to reach the deepest parts of your drive train. This handy brush with it's soft long bristles is just the job and helps make your chain and cassette sparkle.
Microfibre cloth
It's amazing the difference a decent cloth makes when drying your bike. Old tee shirts are all well and good but they don't come close to the microfibre cloth. It's double sided with a different texture on each side to soak up every drop of water. Smears and blemishes will no longer be a problem with this cloth.
Step 2: Protecting your bike
Disc break covers
So you're giving your cassette and chain a good clean but watch out for those little drops of cleaning fluid and the dirt and grime that inevitably fly off, particularly when you're spinning the rear wheel with your bike on a stand.
The last thing you want is for this to end up on your discs and your break pads. These handy Muc-off disc break covers are a must to stop that happening. You peel the two sides apart (they are joined with velcro) and slot one either side of your disc - easy!
MO-94
This effectively penetrates moisture, lubricates moving parts and leaves a long lasting protective film. MO-94 prevents dirt adhesion and also drives out excess water to keep rust and corrosion at bay.
Silicone shine
This cleaver product acts as an amazing friction reducer, particularly useful for forks and suspension parts.
Spray it onto your fork stanchions and rear shocks to reduce resistance for a silky smooth performance.
Bike protect
It’s a perfect ‘all over’, after-wash corrosion inhibitor due to its extremely high oil content. This increased oil content creates the finest bike protection spray on the market.
Miracle shine
If you want a high quality polished finish (and let's face it who doesn't!?) coupled with a protective layer that provides a deep and luxurious shine for your bodywork or frame, you need to try this product!
This luxurious polish also includes Carnauba Wax as well as other highly advanced ingredients so that your paintwork is given a truly first class treatment. So if you want your paint finish to gleam like new, make water bead away and make your bike easier to clean next time around, Muc-Off Miracle Shine is the product for you.
Bio grease
Straight from Muc-Off Research and Development comes this new Bio Grease. Designed specifically for bicycle use, this grease possesses a unique formula that prevents corrosion and water ingress designed to prolong the lifetime of your bike’s components.
Bio grease is based on renewable resources, and also has the added benefit of being readily biodegradable and extremely resistant to water wash off, which helps prevent corrosion, reduce friction and improve the performance of moving parts.
Step 3: Lubricating your bike
Dry, wet and ceramic lube
Muc-off provides different types of lube - wet lube, dry lube and ceramic versions of each. The right choice depends on weather and road conditions. Personally, I have one of each because you never know what the weather is going to do, particularly in this country!
Lubing your bike is essential to ensure a smooth flowing drive train, to improve its efficiency and to ensure it lasts! Regardless of which type you're using, remember to only apply lube once the chain is thoroughly clean and dry.
Wet lube as the name would suggest is appropriate for wet conditions. It's a heavier compound and will stay on your chain for longer even in very wet conditions. The downside is that it will pick up more grime and dirt as a result.
If the weather is dry, prefer dry lube which is a bit thinner but as a result won't pick up the same level of grime. If conditions change and turn wet, it won't however last as long as the wet lube.
Both wet and dry lubes also come in "C3 Ceramic" versions. The additional ceramic coating associated with these products offers added durability and performance designed to last for long distances.
For the very harshest of riding conditions, you'll find it hard to beat the waterproof qualities of C3 Ceramic Wet Chain Lube.
It’s also 95% biodegradable and is ideal for Road, Cyclocross and MTB.
Regardless of which lube you choose, make sure you go round with a cloth and remove all the excess lube from the chain to help minimise the amount of grime it picks up.
Muc-off bundles
Finally, it's worth pointing out that Muc-off regularly provide some fantastic bundle offers. These bundles are a great way of keeping stocked up with essential Muc-off products and benefiting from some bargain pricing at the same time.
Give us a call at the Ark Cycles (01453 884738) to see what we have by way of bundle offers!
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