Recumbent - What do you clean / polish your 'bent with?

I thought it would be interesting to find out what product/ solution/ people use to clean their 'bents with?
Since recumbent bikes cost more than the traditional bike...I figured this would be the perfect place to ask:

What do you use to clean / polish / your 'bent?

Thanks in advance,

Stuck on Bents

I just dust it off and knock the crud out of nooks and crannies when it builds up too much. Once in a while I use a damp cloth. I pay more attention to keeping the drive train clean and lubed, cables operating smoothly, brakes adjusted, hubs greased, etc. Clean and shinny just makes it look better to bike thieves.

I pay more attention to keeping the drive train clean and lubed, cables operating smoothly, brakes adjusted, hubs greased, etc. Clean and shinny just makes it look better to bike thieves.

You bring up a good point. But how many people can ride a bent first time migrating from a DF bike? I still can't migrate from a CLWB to a SWB, due to the higher learning curve. (I've only taken a few test rides on both.)

Stuck on Bents

I think it's different for different folks. My friend tried my BikeE, one of the easiest to ride bikes ever, and it took him 30 minutes to "get it." He then went out and bought a Cannondale recumbent the next day! I let an older, (much older) lady friend try it, and I thought it would be disaster, but she just took off and didn't come back for over an hour. Within a week she bought also bought a Cannondale, which is the closest thing to BikeE that our LBS carries.

If they're really dirty, I'll wash with car detergent, keeping the hose away from wheel, headset, and crank bearings; otherwise I spot-clean them with glass cleaner. Then I polish them with spray furniture polish. I use White Lightning to lube the chains, and the furniture polish cleans the chains pretty well - it's got ingredients to prevent waxy buildup! It (Pledge, et al) makes a lousy lube, so I always relube immediately after cleaning the chains.

In the spring (just did it today) I use Pedros Bike Lust. During the year water. Parks Chain Brite when the chain is really bad otherwise Pedros Ice Wax (stop doing the degreaser thing. I think Chain Brite does just as good a job). Rubbing alchol for the rims. What do folks do to remove and keep rust from forming inside the bolt heads and on the seat screws (Evo Seat base)?

I think it's different for different folks. My friend tried my BikeE, one of the easiest to ride bikes ever, and it took him 30 minutes to "get it." He then went out and bought a Cannondale recumbent the next day! I let an older, (much older) lady friend try it, and I thought it would be disaster, but she just took off and didn't come back for over an hour. Within a week she bought also bought a Cannondale, which is the closest thing to BikeE that our LBS carries.


Well, now you know why I never tried out for the High School debating Team :D.

I know I could ride an SWB, if the owners of the LBS'S that I visited, would have given sufficient opportunity to do so. Lord knows I'm tenecious enough. But I have to say, it was pretty much like dejá vú of when I learning to ride my bike for the first time.

Stuck on Bents

I had never ridden a bent before and went straight to swb, uss. I even video taped the first ride in case I put it down. Luckily for me/unluckily for the video I didn't wreck.

You bring up a good point. But how many people can ride a bent first time migrating from a DF bike? I still can't migrate from a CLWB to a SWB, due to the higher learning curve. (I've only taken a few test rides on both.)

Stuck on Bents


yeah no kidding.........let them just try to ride a lowracer away. Of course if they have a pickup truck, thats another story.

Lowracer,

What do you use to clean/polish your 'bent?

plastic polish.......the 3M variety........ and then car wax with the black pigment in it. My frame is all carbon with a gel coat........ velokraft vk-2

To the contrary. When I cleaned my bike yesterday it was after a good 20+ mile ride. I use cleaning my bike as a cool down period, get the heart rate back under control, etc. Besides I come from the school that says a well maintained machine it a well running machine (that goes for the human body as well). Don't get me wrong. I am not a fanatic about it but when it needs it I tend to it. As for speed, it's not about speed for me but about a good work out and an ejoyable ride. I leave the speed to the rest of you.

Simple Green, then Boeshield T-9 for the drive train, cables, brake pivots, etc. A damp rag between major cleanings to remove any dust.

For quick cleaning/polishing, I use Honda Spray Cleaner and Wax. But if I have the time, I use Meguiars or other wax for clear coats.

ANY wax is better than no wax at all. For the record I use Stoners spray-on wax on my cars and bikes. Sealed in an aerosol can it never goes bad,stored in hot or cold.

http://www.stoneronline.com/mixandmatch.asp?group=1

By far, Simple Green is the best cleaner I've come across. AND, just as a little ad on, get one of those sample containers of baby wipes at someplace like Wal-Mart and carry them with you. When your chain jumps one of the rings, I spomehow managed to do that the other night :/, and you have to get a little oil/grease off your hands, they will do the trick! (They will also take bubble gum off your shoe!)