The Avid BB7 service manual https://www.sram.com/sites/default/files/techdocs/service_manual_bb7__bb5.pdf says to use alcohol to clean the brake parts.

Now I’m pretty sure that they don’t mean using a single malt so what’s best?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/500ml-IPA-Isopropyl-Alcohol-99-pure-FREE-POSTAGE-ISOPROPANOL-/271019176623

Gin or Zambooka

I will be getting sozzled after having serviced them 😆

Eskimo: ta, I’m pretty sure most hardware stores sell Isopropyl Alcohol.

And pharmacists, but don’t go in wearing your old garage-fettling tracky bottoms and a hoody, or they’d assume you’re after a cheap buzz and will refuse to sell it to you. Happened to me twice now 😳

Can of Brake and clutch cleaner from your local car spares place. Great for cleaning everything.

cbmotorsport – Member
Can of Brake and clutch cleaner from your local car spares place. Great for cleaning everything.

This, with a Wurth presure sprayer (only one I’ve had last more than a couple of months!)

Is Meths ok? I’ve got loads of that lying around for no particular reason

No, it contains various nasties.

Ahh, that’ll be why my front brake is still knackered then

Hmm, I’d use Meths over auto brake cleaner which does contain some oil. If I just want to give the discs a quick wipe I happily use meths, if they got contaminated I’d use meths then give them a good scrub with fairy liquid, hot water and a scrubby pad them rinse.

I use beer, well I drink it while cleaning the brakes with muc off brake cleaner

Hmm, I’d use Meths over auto brake cleaner which does contain some oil.

Eh? I think you’ve got that the wrong way round. Meths often has Petroleum Oil added to it whereas brake cleaner is almost all solvents with a bit of propellant if it’s pressurised.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denatured_alcohol

http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_5985776_brake-cleaner-ingredients.html

hooli – Member
I use beer, well I drink it while cleaning the brakes with muc off brake cleaner

This is the sort of advice I’ve been looking for. Thanks

Can of Brake and clutch cleaner from your local car spares place. Great for cleaning everything.

Yup – cheaper than IPA (isopropyl alcohol, not Indian Pale Ale) too at around a tenner for (I think that’s what I paid) five litres.

Indian Pale Ale

INDIA Pale Ale is better.

Indian Pale Ale

INDIA Pale Ale is better. [/quote]

Honestly didn’t know that! Every day is a school day…

Guy bled my brakes in les arcs, spilled fluid EVERYWHERE – all over pads, caliper, rotors, wheels, the lot.

I was horrified – he just smiled, sprayed with some crazy french brake cleaner, and they were perfect after one stop. Dunno what the stuff was called, but it’s magic.

always amazes me how sensitive bike discs are compared to cars. get fingerprints on them or any contaminant and theyll squeal like billy-o. car discs? chuck all the wash and wax everywhere, rinse down, drive.

robinlaidlaw – Member

Hmm, I’d use Meths over auto brake cleaner which does contain some oil.

I’m yet to find a decent quality car brake cleaner which contains oil- not to say there’s definitely none but it seems to be mostly myth.

I got fed up this year and bought a 5 litre jug of isopropyl off ebay, that’ll clean a lot of glasses lenses. (because I don’t often use it on brakes, but I’ve been known to squirt brake fluid in my face)

sadexpunk – Member

always amazes me how sensitive bike discs are compared to cars. get fingerprints on them or any contaminant and theyll squeal like billy-o. car discs? chuck all the wash and wax everywhere, rinse down, drive.

Yeah, not able to get them hot enough maybe? Or maybe the compounds are different.