The Cyclocross Season is almost halfway through, and in the Belgian competition for riders without a contract, it is Robin Alderweireld who regularly climbs the podium, an impressive feat. While cyclocross is known as a true test of wear and tear for both man and machine, we've asked Robin about his maintenance routine. So that aspiring cyclocrossers can gain some insights from this Airolube Hero.
WEEKLY MAINTENANCE:
After the race weekend, Robin begins his preparations again for the upcoming races. Traditionally, his Tuesdays are dedicated to bike inspection and maintenance. It is important to check the condition of the drivetrain (chain and gears) and the brakes. These components endure a lot due to the wet and muddy conditions and are crucial for achieving a good result. After checking these parts and assessing them, the bike is then thoroughly washed. Robin opts for the use of the combination Heavy Duty Degreaser and Super Wash. But as he says in his interview with us: "After cleaning the bike with soap (Super Wash Red.), the bike gets a layer of speedwax, perhaps for us the most used product, I myself am a big fan of it! With the Speedwax a layer is left on the frame, preventing mud from sticking so hard to the frame. After a ride or after a few laps in the race, the bike can then be easily cleaned, usually without scrubbing. Another big advantage, I find, is that the product makes the frame shine even more."
After cleaning the frame and degreasing the chain, the entire chain is blown clean with a compressor. Then the chain is lubricated again. During the week, Robin chooses Airolube Chain Wax. Robin on his waxing method: "I apply a nice layer and turn the chain several times. The wax spreads well, and the chain now looks almost entirely white. After letting the wax sit overnight, the white is completely gone. Now I just go over the chain with an old cloth so that all the excess wax is also removed."
For me, the choice for Chain Wax is because the wax penetrates the chain very well and never sticks.
The choice of wax is carefully considered: "For me, the choice for Chain Wax is because the wax penetrates very well into the chain and never sticks, this has enormous advantages in preventing wear. This is important for me because I often train on sandy and muddy courses, and it causes a lot of extra maintenance for me if the sand then sticks to my chain.
MONTHLY MAINTENANCE:
In addition to the weekly routine, Robin has also opted for a monthly routine, with major maintenance taking place once a month. Now the entire bike comes apart. Extra attention is paid to the headset and the bottom bracket, for which Robin uses Universal Assembly Paste and Bearing Grease.
THE Race:
All the weekly and monthly maintenance ensures that the bikes Robin uses are in top condition at the start of the race. On Friday, the bikes are loaded with the equipment into the camper to depart for the cyclocross on Saturday. After exploring the course, all the bikes are made race-ready, meaning the tires are set to the correct pressure, and a final layer of Speedwax is applied to the bikes. During the race, no Chain Wax is used. In the maintenance sessions during the race, a switch is made to Chain Oil. This is because Chain Oil is ready for immediate use, whereas Chain Wax needs to dry well. After the race weekend, the entire routine starts all over again.