Hello, I’m Eri from the web shop photography team!
Even though it’s been freezing cold, I feel like I can hear the distant footsteps of spring lately. It used to be pitch black by 5:00 PM, but looking up at the sky, it’s slightly brighter at the same time now. It’s heart-fluttering to think that spring, which felt so far away, might actually be just around the corner.
With spring right around the corner, we are currently holding an overhaul campaign at the Circles shop. We are getting requests every day from customers who want to start their new lives with a clean bike, those who want to maintain the bikes they didn't ride during the winter before heading back out, or those who just happened to have issues with their brakes or shifting!
For those who find it difficult to bring their bikes in for an overhaul or live far away, I’d like to introduce some of our most popular chemicals from the web shop so you can enjoy some at-home maintenance.
PARKTOOL Chain Gang Cleaning System
Cleaning your chain at home can be messy, but the chain is critical to how your bike rides, so you always want it to be clean. With this tool, you can easily clean your chain while keeping your hands and your home as clean as possible.
Since chain maintenance greatly affects your ride quality, I highly recommend regular at-home upkeep!
PEATY’S Link Lube All Weather
Once you’ve cleaned your chain, lubrication is an absolute must. It protects the chain from rust and dirt and helps it run smoothly. Please note that riding without oil can cause trouble such as broken chains, noise, and rust. Also, applying oil over sand or dust is ineffective, so make sure to clean and lubricate as a set!
PHIL WOOD Waterproof Grease
Before it ends up like this... here is a seatpost that seized up so badly it wouldn't budge even with five strong adults working on it.
Regular maintenance is necessary to prevent this kind of seizing. That said, it’s not really a huge task; just pull out the seatpost, wipe off the old grease, and apply plenty of new grease. It tends to seize more easily if it’s repeatedly exposed to the elements, so every household should keep some maintenance grease on hand.
MUC-OFF Waterless Wash
It’s fine if you have a detached house with a yard, but in apartments or condos, big cleaning jobs using a water hose can be difficult. This is a great ally for those who still want to wipe off dust and mud after a ride before storing their bike. It’s also recommended for cleaning E-bikes that shouldn't get wet.
PEATY’S Loam Foam Bike Cleaner
This is a professional-grade, biodegradable cleaner that can be used on the entire bike, including carbon fiber, brake pads, and discs. Developed by professional MTB riders, it’s a product I can really get behind because it’s made with environmental impact in mind.
Along with chemicals, you’ll also want to have an old toothbrush, an old T-shirt, and some microfiber towels. These three items, which can be found in any home or bought at a 100-yen shop, are super handy to have during maintenance!
I’ve also put together a selection of non-chemical items in case you’re thinking about getting new chains, tires, or tubes while you’re at it, so please take a look.
Sorry, I went to see The Chemical Brothers last week, so I just had to make that joke!
