How do you wash your bike?(merged)

[g.c.]

I wait for rain and ride it.

Man, it is a mess right now.

 

[JustSpin]

I keep my bikes meticulously cleaned. Because of where I live it's a pain in the ass to hose it down so I use more of a "dry" wash. I do this as a pre-ride ritual.

I wipe everything down with a shop rag. I mean everything. I have a Park Tools brush that gets into the crannies of the cassette and other tough areas like that. I focus on the keeping the drivetrain totally clean (what's the point of X0 and XTR if you treat it like dogsh!t?).

After that, I use a dry lube on the chain and spray lube on other parts like the bearings, etc. I wipe all that stuff down with another shop rag.

Finally, I finish the bike with Bike Lust. I apply it to most surfaces including the side-walls of the tires (NOT the contact areas though). Not only does it make the bike look good, it sheds dirt a bit. For obvious reason, don't let this stuff get on your braking surfaces.

About once every two weeks I supplement this treatment by doing a wet wash with water, Finish Line cleaner, chain wash, and special treatments for my rotors. Sometimes, a proper degreaser is in order for the drivetrain. There is a paper product called "Rags" that work very well for wiping things down and for drying. Well worth the few bucks they cost. Good brushes are also key.

Sounds a little much, but I like my stuff to run good and look good. If you're a racer and you are looking to become sponsored or already are, it's important to keep your bike and you kit working and looking good at all times.

Wow, can I bring my bike over?

When I clean my bike I take a cotton pad and put some rubbing alcohol on it and run my disc brakes through it. I find that helps clean them w/o causing problems.

Worse case, if you do nothing else you should take good care of your chain.

 

[GP_pilot]

I carried these over from my motorcycle racing days since I still have 1) street bikes and 2) leftover stock:
- Honda Pro Polish (now must be bought outside of CA as of 2006)
- Repsol Chain Lube (no it doesn't attract dust)
- CRC Brakleen (if I'm really annoyed w/ grease)

 

[foofighter]

I brush the dirt off once a year whether it needs it or not

Really.....I dry brush the dust and dirt off probably only two or three times per month, but I clean the drive-train and check the brake cables after each ride so I know it's ready to go for the next one.

There's just something inherently weird about a clean and shiny mountain bike.

See ya on the trails

Just look for the old man on the dirty bike!

dont listen to adam his bike is really clean

 

[jiminoc]

Bike Washing?

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]

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.)

 

[CA_descender]

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.

 

[MohammedInABearSuit]

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

 

[un-kola]

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.. :lol:

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

 

[un-kola]

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

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 :wave:

 

[BrewMaster]

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.