EXPERT BIKE CLEANING THE TEAM SKY WAY

Mechanic Raj Murugayan pours bulk Morgan Blue Chain Cleaner into a smaller container for ease of handling. It's no coincidence the container is the size of a water bottle...

With the bike in a Park Tool workstand, the container of Chain Cleaner sits in the seat tube bottle cage where it's easy to use. Mechanics use a paintbrush to apply it to any components that need degreasing and lubricating, and wear nitrile gloves to protect their hands.

Using the brush, the mechanics apply Chain Cleaner to all the greasy parts of the bike. Here, the idea is to get it deep into the cassette sprockets and rear derailleur.

The chain also gets plenty of attention, to remove road grime and grit as thoroughly as possible.

Nobody likes a grease mark on their calf, so the chainrings are also thoroughly cleaned.

The mechanic then drops the wheel out and runs the chain over a Morgan Blue Chain Pulley so it can be run through the frame. This makes it easier to thoroughly degrease the chain, and to rinse out the degreaser later.

It's vital for rider safety that brakes work well, so these parts get plenty of attention. All the moving parts of the brake are degreased, including the pivots and cable adjuster

The mechanics leave the degreaser for about a minute to do its work, then rinse it off with plain water.

The next stage is to wash the frame with Morgan Blue Bike Wash mixed with water.

The wheels also get a thorough clean, which allows the mechanics to check for rim and tyre damage at the same time. The bikes are then rinsed again with plain water.

The bikes are allowed to drip dry, and any remaining water is blasted off with compressed air in the mechanics' truck. The mechanics then use Morgan Blue Carbon Polish to finish the frame, giving a smooth, shiny finish that helps repel dirt.

Buffing with a clean, dry cloth brings up the Carbon Polish shine.

The chain and other moving parts are then oiled. The mechanics use a range of Morgan Blue lubricants: Bio Bike Oil is very light for perfect conditions; Race Oil is the choice for general use; and when the weather is really bad they reach for Syn Lube.

The main Morgan Blue products that Team Sky uses for day-to-day cleaning and maintenance. The complete range includes over 50 lubricants, cleaners and massage products.