My inbox is constantly filling up with press releases announcing the latest and greatest mountain bike products, everything from new carbon enduro superbikes to brightly colored tubeless valve stems. Every once in a while one of them will contain a concept or a claim that stops me in my tracks. Enter the new Muc-Off e-bike drivetrain tool.
For $35 you can be the proud owner of
this gadget, a stubbly little tool that can be set up with a 5mm, 6mm hex, or T30 Torx. It's not meant to loosen or tighten bolts – you'll need a different tool for that. Instead, it's designed to make it easier to lube the chain on an e-bike, since the chain doesn't rotate when you turn the cranks backward. Apparently, some riders (and even a certain editor at another MTB website) have been flipping their heavy bikes upside down in order to lube the chain, unaware that there's a much, much, easier solution.
That solution involves sticking something into the chainring bolt that will stick out far enough for the crank to contact it. That will engage the chainring, making it possible to lube the chain in the typical manner. Muc-Off claims that their “revolutionary bit of kit” is the right tool for the job, one that was developed “after months of real-world testing.” The short length eliminates the risk of sticking something through the bolt and scratching your frame, and the rubber covering keeps those fancy carbon cranks from harm.
The thing is, you can accomplish the exact same result with an Allen key or multi-tool; even a stick from the side of the trail will work in a pinch. The latest wave of eMTB specific parts and accessories reminds me of when the word 'enduro' began sweeping through the mountain bike world. That was the season when everything was baby blue, and you couldn't find anything that wasn't purported to be enduro-specific.
Granted, this tool
is actually pretty e-bike specific, mainly because there's not much else you can do with it. I think that's what got under my skin – the fact that it's meant to fill such a tiny, tiny niche, to accomplish a job that most riders probably already have the tools for. It does come with a carrying strap and a carabiner, though, so that's something. Just don't get me started on the concept of e-bike specific chain lube...
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to go whittle some
custom e-bike lubing sticks. They're 100% sustainably sourced, fully biodegradable, and can be used to keep small dogs entertained.
How about a ME-Bike, not an E-bike....haha
I googled this, which I find hilarious: "A push bike is a bicycle which you move by turning the pedals with your feet. [British, old-fashioned]"
So, like a bicylce?
Honestly asking, because I use it to point out what I´m talking about. Is it the little bikes for kids?
@stiksandstones: I like muscle bike as well, but it´s so biased.
In your case it would be a stikbike then ahahhaha
I would buy that guitar
Then they say that we should all do our part for the environment and they're selling their "punk powder" (this isn't punk at all by the way) that can easily be replaced by soap and water that we all have at home.
Then they release this f*cking useless piece of shit made of plastic that replaces anything that anyone already owns.
Two-faced marketing at its best! Sorry but I can't stand those business practices and I won't ever buy any MucOff product.
Well, he was certainly brave to put that out there and IMO it's wrong to dismiss such concerns out of hand as "transphobic". I remember they were shared by many fans and I understand many sporting authorities are now taking a more thoughtful approach to where trans inclusion is fair in women's sport.
But Commental's post above is childish whataboutism anyway, and Muc Off reacted like any other brand would have to the racism claims (I've worked in corporate social media crisis management).
I just keep using what I have been using for 20+ years on my bikes. Carwash and not a product that is marked up 5 times and it has fancy pink label.
Sometimes the headline overwhelms the fine details of a story and a brand finds itself under a lot of pressure, in which case it will often do what it's being lobbied to.
Muc-Off don't have a particularly strong case to answer on that one, IMO.
Think about how much hardship and abuse trans people go through. Does that seem like something someone would sign up for voluntarily, or is it possible that maybe - just maybe - it's because being told from a young age that you're a certain gender never feels right until you open your mind to the possibility that M or F isn't always as simple as what a doctor decides based on your appendages at birth? Imagine the upheaval that comes into your own life and those around you when you realize you're not what you were told you were from a young age, especially if it's as fundamental as gender - something that defines so much of your identity. This is not about podiums, it's about identity and dignity, and life that extends well beyond anyone's time as a competitive athlete.
It's also not about the money. It's not about getting beaten by men and then snapping your fingers and saying 'I identify as a woman now' and then ticking a different box on an entry form so you can make it so. It's baffling to me that you think it works that way, but I guess that just illustrates how much more education is necessary. First of all, there are steps that need to be taken that enable a trans athlete to compete against other women. That part is still a work in progress because it's not a simple situation, and I certainly understand why some confusion is natural. Not that they're perfect or anything, but the IOC has recognized trans athletes and permitted them to compete since 2004. That was 17 years ago. Do you know when the first openly transgendered athlete first competed in the Olympics? Last year. Doesn't sound like we have an epidemic of men-turning-into-women-for-the-money to me.
You can envisage all the far-fetched scenarios you want to about athletes flipping and flopping between genders like you put on an outfit in the morning, but you're wrong. The stakes are far higher and far more important than advancing one's competitiveness in their chosen sport. I realize that it's a very complicated thing to imagine trans athletes on the same playing field, but get used to it. Set aside the cynicism and open your mind to the possibility that there are some things that are hard to comprehend at first, but that with a bit of natural inquisitiveness and empathy, become more clear.
So, once again. Transgendered athletes doing it for the cashola. Find me one. Then we can say 'maybe...it could be...both?'
Ps: I get how making doubt about the reality of one's will to change sex can feel degrading as it would be a really sensitive topic for people that are actually suffering from this. But aren't all the rules enforced to honest people because of a few people that cheat ? All top athletes have to pee in the cup, some (most ?) aren't abusing PEDs and yet they still have to go the the pee of shame because some are cheating.
I have some experience around someone transitioning, my mother's ex partner transitioned a few years ago. Unfortunately she's not the most feminine in appearance and has to live with people laughing at her in the street and pretty much daily ridicule from the kids who live near her. The mental strength she displays around this is unbelievable and her default position is that she's much happier in herself now compared to when she was a man, so all the crap that goes with it is a price worth paying. Massive kudos to her, I know what she did took more bravery than I'll ever possess.
When it comes to sports things get complicated very quickly. The IOC and UCI have set testosterone levels as the prerequisite, many scientists will tell you that there are a lot more inherent advantages for someone who was born male that testosterone reduction won't address.
It seems to me that the only truly fair solution is a different category for trans and inter sex athletes (I acknowledge in many sports this wouldn't currently be possible due to numbers). Interestingly I had a fairly long conversation with a trans person on this site a couple of years ago who agreed with me. Whilst I feel very sorry for someone who wants to compete with people of the gender they identify as and having to take all the flack that goes with that, by the same token I also feel very sorry for the athlete who misses out on the chance to compete because they were out qualified or not selected due to someone who may well have an inborn advantage. I think the fact that this discussion is only ever had about male athletes who transition and never their female counterparts is very telling.
There are always going to be losers in this, whether it's the trans athlete or the person who doesn't get to compete or misses out on a podium because of the trans athlete, but I believe that fairness for the majority and having a level playing field in sport should be seen as more important than accommodating the minority.
Let the downvotes begin. I really don’t care. I will stand for what is true and right.
Your whataboutism is disgusting and you lack empathy. Pointing to one case here or there of something distasteful or unrelated (what the f*ck does pedophilia have to do with this?) or using a misinformed example involving animals doesn't make your case, it just illustrates how desperate you are to remain bigoted and ignorant. This isn't opinion, it's science.
So it’s no wonder they came out with this. Mold 10 cents of rubber over 10 cents of Allen key and market the shit out of it to the market segment with the most disposable income. Don’t buy muck off products. They’re a blight on the bike industry offering an inferior product with insane marketing claims in an area that consumers have no ability to independently verify.
zerofrictioncycling.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Lubricant-detail-review-Muc-Off-Nano-revision-3.pdf
I've been using hi-tack chainsaw oil for a few years now. Think I paid $20 for the 5 gallon bucket currently in my shed. Says it's biodegradable so the fish should be happy. Works well.
Muc off: “hold my beer”
That said, I am contemplating starting a new line of bike apparel specifically for riders with a BMX background...
Put it in a stand (if you are strong enough) and lube it going clockwise
If you really have to, Just wedge a torx tool in there as per above image or put the bike upside down. If you buy this tool you are a tad dense IMO.
e-tard out!
They're riding an ebike, of course they're not strong enough. That's why I'm working on an ebike specific stand with an electric lift aka eStand.
Already a thing.
I wouldn't dismiss the average ebike owner, down here fast boys are using them as training tools now. Shuttle the un-shuttleable (is that even a word)
Some city bikes with full kit are heavier than that…
All you're doing is engaging the freewheel.
Every_single_time_ I have to yank and wobble the thing out of the chainring bolt so now I have a lovely scratch mark on my cranks.
I think I may well be the 0.0001%.
I’ve never used anything more than water, and the some washing up liquid on the drivetrain. And funnily enough, I’ve never had any problems with bearings...
The relentless email promos
The non stop drive for “product development”
The relentless email promos
Etc etc etc
They are the only company I deal with who chase accounts that have even 1-2 products left in their shopping basket. No one else does that.
9/10 shops stock it
It’s everywhere online
It’s all over the high st.. even in Aldi
Phew
And I thought a lot of their products were gimmicky before I even knew about the one discussed above.
But respect is due for building a business on a fundamentally pointless product (the bikewash) - Fairy Liquid does me just fine.
Anyway, Muckoff's results vary from respectable to shockingly bad in these independent tests. I'm sure it works in the sense that you drip it on and it smooths everything up. But if that's all your after motor oil will work fine too, for a lot less money.
My personal preference is hot melt wax. You don't need all that fancy Molten Speed Wax if you don't want, common parafin from the hardware store will do for much cheaper and almost as good. If that's too much doings, squirt or smoove are excellent, but you still need to clean the chain really well before doing it. All these are dry lubes that reject dirt really well. If you don't want the chain stripping hassle of wax, rock and roll gold always seems to test pretty well, and True Tension is a small brand that somehow has two really great wet lubes in ZFC's tests.. I'm not aware of any decent dry lubes that don't require you to strip the chain before application, because the dry lubes like wax don't stick to metal contaminated by grease.
Muc-Off: "Hold my beer"
According to The Cambridge Dictionary...
ANALOGUE is ...a system in which information, such as sound or images, is stored or sent in a continuously changing form, such as electrical signals, radio waves, or film.
You can drink 4 times as much for the same effort as drinking one “acoustic” beer
Also, Wyn did it first (well, shared it widely first), and his way, use nothing more than a bit you probably have already, doesn't waste anything.
I had to make do with black Onza ones
Those margins are probably also why they are now title sponsors of a supercross team this year.
muc-off.com/collections/antibacterial-surface-sprays/products/one-shot-anti-bac-grenade?utm_source=Master%20List&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=B2C%20-%20Antibac%20promo%20%28WNdUBQ%29&utm_content=One-Shot%20Anti-viral%20Grenade&_kx=GaS7LZB9CmJQsxdV9CKWi0i0iYGPmDirj8uPKONhHKE%3D.WZxjkX
Anyway...
I prefer the term "Vintage Bikes"
Its all just Bum Fodder
Or put the saddle on a tree branch or a work bench or a work stand or a.... and do it myself.
"Tired of this happening to you?"