What's your post ride bike care

I had one wet weekend in Whistler where at the end of each day we hosed our bikes off in order to bring them inside. I got back and went through my bike about a week later and had to rebuild/replace bearings in the rear hub, rebuild the front, and replace the bottom bracket altogether, it would not move. We were riding in wet conditions all day which I am sure did not help, but I would vote against using a power washer. I would say it would push more crud in than get it out.

 

I forgot about that sh*#! HILARIOUS!!!:lol:

 

Normally to spent to wash after a ride. If I do need to clean it I try to just dust it off with a rag. Once in a while I'll use a rag+bucket+hot water+mild soap.

 

i still stand by the hose. not saying other people are wrong or anythiing but i just dont think that little amount of water will do any harm. Especially since right after you hose it down, you are going to dry it and relube everything anyways, just my $0.02USD though,

 

Isn't a mountain bike made to go through dirt, mud, sand, snow and water?

 

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I sell my bike and buy a clean, new, fresh one for every ride......

Not really, I use the hose but with no nozzel or spray, just a flow so I can control where it goes, I avoid the drivetrain/brakes/hubs but with no pressure behind it, there is little chance of lasting harm. I then hand dry it with a terry cloth. I do not re-lube right away, but just make sure I do so before the next ride.

 

Water hose, soap, brush and air compessor after every ride.

 

I use an air compressor and blow the dirt off and then a dry rag to wipe down shock piston rod and fork stanctions.

 

Various brushes for the dust and dirt, brush off chain real good, and then a thorough wipe down with a slightly damp rag... even all the nooks and crannies.

And finish it all off with some Armor-All on the tires!#-o:lol:

 

I start by using a dry chain cleaner brush then I use a vacuum with brush attachment (keeps the shop cleaner) on the whole bike, then moist cloth followed by lubing the chain. When it gets really dirty I wash it with a gentle rain pattern hose nozzle.

 

Clean dirt off fork, and shock stantions ever ride.

Clean chain and re-lube with Rock n' Roll Gold every other ride or as needed.

Fully clean bike with soapy water and gentle brushes. Use dilute simple green to clean cassette, chainrings, and chains. Perhaps sonicating chain in soapy water. This is done every so often. Or before big events or races. It's like shaving and putting your nice shirt on for a hot date.

 

I used to clean all my bikes with a hose and soapy water after each ride. i lived on the east coast and it was always super muddy. never had a problem with any bike related to that. nowadays though I am lazy and have only cleaned my current bike once since i've had it. I just clean and relube the chain and derailures every other ride

 

Like many of the above posters I too am a hose-a-phobe. When I used to work in a bike shop I was spoiled with the air compressor. I'd blow the dust off certain areas and go to town with rags/cleaners. If I end up having to go extreme mud bogging I will do as one person mentioned.. Hose + complete tear down.

One item that I do not think has been discussed yet is cables. They really do not like water.

As for the 99' Stumpy that doesn't creak after being hosed for 10 years.... Unlike the Stumpies of today that bike was built in the USA. ;-)

For me I am usually way too knackered to prep the bike for the next ride (which is ideal so you can allow time for the chain lube to settle in). However, before every ride I do microfiber my stanchions/shock shaft and clean / lightly lube the chain.

Good thread.. Wishing I had an air compressor!!!

-Terry

 

I unload it from my truck and haul it upstairs to my dining room. I need me a bike boy to make it all sparkly clean .

 

+1

 

I use a product from Pedro's called Bike Lust. It is a silicon spray that helps SoCal dust wipe off easily after every ride. I apply it every 2 weeks or so after I wipe the bike down. Smells good too. Bike cologne.

 

I normally dry wipe the bike and then every 4 or 5 rides I will use dust remover like Pledge that has a built-in antistatic. It seems to keep the bike from getting overly dirty and I can control where it goes, unlike water.

 

Hey! I live in HB and need a job!!!

 

Light rinse, compressor/rag dry.

Some soap every couple of months if needed.

Some lube as needed. If it rides right and it isn't broke, I don't fix it.

Been doing it for decades, never a rust problem - even after 16 years in Hawaii living on the beach. I even rode down the beach at the water line on occasion.

The first thing I did back then when I got a new bike was repack all bearings and lube with marine grease.