General Cycling Discussion - bike cleaning...

I was riding today, and I got caught in a thunder storm... and I'm not complaining, it was a typical summer shower.
So, tonite as I'm cleaning the road grit from my "baby", and I was wondering how often people clean there bikes.

I wipe down my road bikes every time I use them, as well as clean and lube the chain every week or two (unless I get caught in the rain) then they get a complete cleaning... and the mountain bikes get a washing weekly, unless I ride in the mud and/or rain, then they do get the full treatment.:D

I'm fairly new at bicycling but I keep mine as clean as my motorcycles, which look brand new at 7 & 8 years old.. If it looks remotely dirty, I give it a wipe. I don't have the maintenance thing down yet but at the moment I don't need to (3 years free service).

When you guys say wipe down, what do you use? Will a cloth scratch the frame? Do you use any soap?

Other than the chain, what else do you have to lube?

I wouldn't wipe it down dry. You'll definately scratch the paint.
I spray mine down with the hose and use soap/wax combination stuff I get at Wal-Mart. It's cheap and works well on road grime/dirt. For cleaning the greasy stuff I use a citrus based cleaner. I also put a drop of Tri-Flo on the pivot points of the front and rear derailleurs.

I'm assuming Tri-flo is a type of lube?

Yes, it has very fine teflon particles in it. Most bike shops or hardware stores carry it. It's a really good light oil.

First I take away the mud or dust by using dump cloth, then when everything is clean O use "Pedros Bike Lust",

spraying with hose might not be the best bet if done carelessly. The pressure can push water into bearings and pivots.

simple green or one of the spray bike cleaners is good. Just spray and wipe off.

If the bike is really dirty/muddy like cyclocrossing then hosing it down is really the only choice.