How to fettle a bike

After jetwashing, fettle as follows...

IN AN IDEAL WORLD

After the race (and if you have time after course practice) it's ideal to:

Essentials: sponge, soft brush, large stiff brush, small stiff brush, car shampoo

Nice to have: chain cleaning device and chain cleaning fluid

• Bucket of water and car shampoo;

• Take the wheels out;

• Clean frame with soft brush and sponge;

• Chain cleaner in chain cleaning device to clean chain, or use small stiff brush;

• Clean wheels using stiffer brush on tyres;

• Rinse.

THEN ALWAYS DO THE FOLLOWING

Even if you're short on time, perform this essential maintenance:

Essentials: cloth/towel, chain lube, GT85, de-icer

Nice to have: compressor

• Dry thoroughly with towel/cloths, including chain - especially if icy;

• Reassemble bike;

• Dry chain, cassette, front/rear mechs, pedals (using compressed air if available);

• If it's icy AND before/during race, use de-icer;

• If it's not freezing OR after the race, use GT85 to spray pedals, mech(s) and cassette (avoiding disk brake rotors and brake callipers);

• Lube the chain (no need during the race, it will last. Don't GT85 the chain as it will dissolve the quality chain lube you've been putting on each time you fettle).

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