Duck Smart.

Bike Cleaning Time!

I Won a Twitter retweet competiton held by some company called DuckSmart, who make some super duper cleaning stuff! Never thought I would win, but went in for it any way, and yes, I had a tweet back,  "and the Winner is" Me! great news, sent them back a DM (direct message) waited a week, as it was the Bank Holiday, and thought the post would be late, after a few days, just gave them a tweet to say my Prize had not turned up yet, "No problem" said DuckSmart it's in the post! 2 days later it turned up.

3 Bottles of so called Bike Cleaning stuff! Yeah  right I though, that can go with all the other bike cleaning stuff, and will get around to using it sooner or later, well, as it turns out, I went on a rather long ride, (well it was for me) to Stratford Stadium from Harlow vie the Tow-path, as I was not going to finish work that morning until 06.00. I managed to do a shift swap, so finished at 04.00 in stead, so on the Sunday, off we set with 12 other Keen cyclist from Harlow Town and set off at 09.00

Well to cut a long story short, had the usual 7 punctures among us, got there saw the Stadium, got wet, and went back! Felling a bit tired, so, with all the mud and dirt the Trek 29er Marlin Hardtail got Dirty!

So, now onto the Bike cleaning stuff from this DuckSmart lot, checked out there website DuckSmart and read how the best way to use the stuff, when I found out, it's not just any ol cleaning stuff, it's a bit different!

Followed the Instructions on the Can (so to speak)

Here is a Video of the Bike after the ride, not too dirty, but still dirty all the same!

OK, got the Bike Stand out, (Amazon) Wet the 29er down, brushed off a bit of dirt, then got the DuckSmart stuff out the Box!

Used something called "Earth Mover" Sprayed this stuff on, and it done something different, "It Foamed Up" not too worry it was supposed to do that, but the moment you set about it with a cloth or brush, you could tell it was different cleaning stuff!

Straight off it started to foam up, getting rid of dirt and everything else in it's way, as it was cleaning it was leaving a shine! Just look at the pictures of the Tyes and wheels! Theses are over 2 years old, and i had never had them come up just like the day it was bought from http://www.cyclesuk.com/1281/clearance-bikes.aspx for the London to Brighton ride!

 Wet down then spray with Earth Mover!

Bike wetted down

Even before I've finished, you can see the results are going to be good, with no hard work!

Theses Wheels are 2 years old! Cycled over a 1000 Miles! And they look look brand New!

 Pictures just do not do this DuckSmart justice! they are like Brand New! Honest

Gleaming!

 Just look at the Mud Guard! One clean, one not!

Just see the shine! And I haven't even polished the Bike!

Here is a Video of the bike after the clean up, what do you think of it!

Thank you DuckSmart for Picking me on the Competition Friday! it's the best thing that has happened to me since i came across the new Silicone by @juliasilicone!

Besty Cleaning Stuff Ever!

BTR Direct Bike Bag Review

This time we have a different kind of bike bag for review, different you say!..... How?

It sits on your cross bar attached by Velcro straps and strapped to the header stem.

                                             Say Hello to the BTR Direct Bike Bag

                                            It has place to keep your Mobile phone dry and dust free! built into the lid is a  phone holder you can use whilst still in the bag! (to makes calls use a Bluetooth ear piece).

                                                    Underside with the Velcro straps

Right side view, it has a reflective strip running along the side, very well thought out solid design, so it keeps it shape on the sides when you have got a lot of items in the bag!

The stitching and zip are well constructed and the zip runs all the way round from top to bottom, in both directions ideal if you are Right or Left handed.

 Extension ear phone cable for your I Pod, phone, portable speakers etc

                                              Plenty of room in there for all sorts of stuff!

This is the very cleverly designed front lid flap, if you unzip the top lid  you will find a padded pocket flap that allows you to place your Mobile phone, mini tablet, or navigation device inside.

                                                     Front cover with the I phone in place

 As you can see it was easy enough to place in and will be able to use from the outside, ideal for map reading etc

Easy to change from one screen to the other whilst the phone is still in the bag.

Bag attached to the top cross bar

                                          Fitted to a road bike for those much longer rides.

Available in 3 sizes, Large, Medium and Small, dimensions are on their web site at bottom of this blog.

Easy removable bag to take with you, or to transfer to another bike.




This bike bag is from BTR Direct which is based in East Sussex, they do bike bags and accessory on line.        link to the bag 
http://www.btrdirect.co.uk/bike-bags/mobile-phone-holders/btr-water-resistant-frame-bike-bag-and-mobile-phone-holder

This link has all the information you will need,  while you are there check out some of their other great priced bags,  as for the price.......... well impressed!

BTR Direct  are a small set up based in Hove.  They have been established for 10 years and have recently started selling bike bags & accessories after Bryn rediscovered his love of cycling and looked to buy various bike accessories for themselves. 

BTR Direct  are always  expanding there range and the  website will be updated as & when they do.  The aim of BTR Direct  is to offer good value for money and I do feel that the range they have offers that, just check out Amazon,

BTR Direct are currently selling there brand on there own website and eBay & Amazon & are looking to expand to sell to trade if they can, so get in touch with Joe at BTR Direct in Hove.




http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=btr%20direct

http://www.btrdirect.co.uk/

One of the Best price cycling accessories we have ever come across! 

UPDATE

The bag has been used plenty of times now, it got a good soaking the other Saturday on a ride out, the contents were all kept dry, and the bag has kept its shape, it took 3 days to dry my shoes, so that is a idea on how wet the bag got!
Once the bag dried out, it was just a case of  wipeing away the moisture from the phone compartment!
Zips are still going fine, no snags or catches.

Still recommend this bag as good cycling accessory for any bike trip!