Bike Washing?

[jiminoc]

Just curious how often if ever everyone washes their bike or does a detail job on it?

What are your steps?

What I've been doing every 2-3 rides is hose it down on light shower setting, then filling a bucket with dish lotion and water and using a bottle brush to scrub everything down. Then getting a toothbrush into the rear derailleur and crank teeth, then a cassette brush to get the cassette. Next I use a chain tool with some degreaser to get the chain. Hose it all down, then fire up the air compressor to air off all the excess water.

During that time I go through all the components to make sure there wasn't any damage during a ride.

[JOx2]

just when it needs it, but i do clean the chains and drivetrain after a ride.

[BrewMaster]

Squirt bottle with Simple Green/water to clean the bike surfaces. I just use a shop rag and wipe everything down including the derailleurs. I make sure I clean the gunk off of the derailleur pulleys. These days it's mostly dust and a bit of mud, so it comes off pretty easily.

Cassette, chain, and chain rings go in the ultrasonic cleaner for 8 minutes and they come out sparkling afterward. The ultrasonic cleaner has a heated solution Simple Green/water mixture. I rinse each piece in the sink very quickly and let it all dry before reassembling and lubing. No scrubbing, no toothbrushes like I used to.

No hoses get pointed at our bikes. I learned that the hard way with water in my headset that forced out the grease. That's bad.

[GregMiester]

i usually use a wet cloth to clean the frame/components, simple green kicks ass too.

[jiminoc]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

No hoses get pointed at our bikes. I learned that the hard way with water in my headset that forced out the grease. That's bad.

My suspension has been squeaking lately and I'm wondering if water may have gotten in somewhere from the hose

[gest24]

Road bike gets a spray down with Pedro's Frame Lust and wiped. The MTB gets a spray cleaner to clear the mud then Frame Lust. The drivetrains I clean when they get noisy. Every 700-1000 miles I pull a full on overhall and strip the frame (mostly because I like to, no really because its needed.)

[DBD]

My bikes live in the house with us so they get sprayed down after every ride so no bovine/horse/dog/cat/etc poop ends up on the living room floor. The roadie gets a wipe down after every ride as well.

As for actually washing them ... maybe once a year.

[TURNERob]

I never hit any of my bikes with a hose. Compressed air and then a damp rag with warm water if there is crusted mud on it.

[hoovermd]

The only reason to wash my bike is if I think I might have a cracked frame

[un-kola]

Originally Posted by TURNERob

I never hit any of my bikes with a hose. Compressed air and then a damp rag with warm water if there is crusted mud on it.

I'm with Rob.I never use a hose.Damp rag and/or a brush to clean the dust/mud off.Clean the chain,der.,and gears with a shop cloth and re-lube chain.In So.Cal.you shouldn't need to wash or spray your bike,unless you keep them in your house.Just my.02 worth.- Lloyd

[Bryguy17]

I've only ever washed my bike after it's been through a particularly muddy ride. I use a hose, but don't point it directly at any bearings. just let it dribble down the frame to wherever I need the water. Only done that twice though.

[Drop D]

Once or twice a week I would Hose it down (shower setting) brush then wipe then disassemble my bottom bracket (its not that hard) re-lube then re-assemble, even my rear der. pulleys are disassembled as well for cleaning and re-greasing. I don't hose the top part like the Head-set area and seatpost area, they only get dusted off or wiped clean.

[OldDogDan]

IMO, the compressed air is as bad or worse than a pressurized water hose -- it will drive water & grit in where you don't want. I prefer gentle water as needed (not very often, and soap and brushes only when necessary) then towel it dry.

[Mudman]

I never wash my bike... I like Mud all over it..

I've seen a few people use armor all wipes though, cleans the bike pretty nice and doesnt make a mess.

[un-kola]

Originally Posted by Mudman

I never wash my bike... I like Mud all over it..

I've seen a few people use armor all wipes though, cleans the bike pretty nice and doesnt make a mess.

Try"Pam"cooking spray.Spray it on a shop towel,then wipe it on the down tube,back of forks,seat stays,etc.Mud comes off very easy. - Lloyd

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by Drop D

Once or twice a week I would Hose it down (shower setting) brush then wipe then disassemble my bottom bracket (its not that hard) re-lube then re-assemble, even my rear der. pulleys are disassembled as well for cleaning and re-greasing. I don't hose the top part like the Head-set area and seatpost area, they only get dusted off or wiped clean.

I wouldn't remove the BB too often. It's easy, but the threads in the frame or BB can get worn out quickly by constant removal and installation.

[Mudman]

I think the one finish that I always find difficult to clean off when Mud dries on it is Ano. For some reason once dirt dries up on it some of it never wants to come off.

[Rockinthecasbah]

I simple green it, then hit it with the hose trying not to hit the pivots, bearings etc to hard, then I blow it off with the air compresser making sure to get all of the bolt heads

[G-MONEY]

Originally Posted by jiminoc

Just curious how often if ever everyone washes their bike or does a detail job on it?

What are your steps?

What I've been doing every 2-3 rides is hose it down on light shower setting, then filling a bucket with dish lotion and water and using a bottle brush to scrub everything down. Then getting a toothbrush into the rear derailleur and crank teeth, then a cassette brush to get the cassette. Next I use a chain tool with some degreaser to get the chain. Hose it all down, then fire up the air compressor to air off all the excess water.

During that time I go through all the components to make sure there wasn't any damage during a ride.

Sounds like a good routine to me! In addition to re-lubing your chain, do you re-lube anything else like pivots, derailleurs, etc? I usually spray/drip some Triflo into those areas.

[DirtymikeTDB]

Your supposed to wash your mountain bikes?????





Seriously, if your going to wash your bike, dont use comropessed air to dry it, you do damage that way. So check this out, Spray your bike down with some bike wash/simplegreen/ whatever. Lightly spray it down with the hose, yes I said a hose. Now trick really is Drying the bike afterwords. First off, towel off, second off..... Use a Leaf blower, Hi volume, low pressure. Dry's great.

If a garden hose is pushing the grease out of any of your bearings, it is time to repack them anyways.