Bicycle Mechanics - How do I keep my bike clean!!!

Hi Everyone,
What is the best way of cleaning your bike, rims etc. I afraid of using soapy water near the chain etc. Also do you need to do anything other than just drying your bike with a towel if riding in the rain. Thanks

Hi Everyone,
What is the best way of cleaning your bike, rims etc. I afraid of using soapy water near the chain etc. Also do you need to do anything other than just drying your bike with a towel if riding in the rain. Thanks


http://www.webmountainbike.com/cleanyourbik.html

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=85

Keep it in the house, and take the bus.

Using mild soap not be a problem, only things like muck off are a problem because they are very strong, but still wont dmaamge the bike really. The only tinhg oyu need to be worried about is getting water in to the bearings, so dont use a hose near any bearings!

Asuming you dont have a bear steel frame you dont need to dry your bike after cycling in the rain, but what you must always make sure to do is grease the drive terain with somthing such as GT85. this is the most vital part, my bike looks like its never cleaned, because i very rearly do, but thats not important, the important part id that you look after the driver terrain and other 'moving/working parts' as i call them.

That includes putting a solid greese on to the skewers so that it gets in to the hub bearings to keep it in good working order. Your main priority is the driver train also look after the brakes thou. Keep the drive terina clean not only to sotp rusting but to stop corrosion and lower resistance. The dirt acts like sand paper!

I like to take my wheel off my bike every couple of weeks, and place them in the tub. Then a little mild soap (like dish soap) and a very soft plastic bristle brush I scrub the rims and tires. This removes a lot of brake dust grime. That is more so I stop getting dirty hands when I touch my wheels.

And every weeks I use a cloth soaked in mineral spirits to clean the clain (while still on the bike) and add new chain oil to the drive train.

A simple wet cloth will clean off the frame.

May want to be careful about water seeping into the rims. It can rust the nipples under the rim tape. Drilling a small hole in the rim keeps the water drained.

Just a suggestion.

I like to take my wheel off my bike every couple of weeks, and place them in the tub. Then .
What, you're not married? :)

When you say in the tub, you don't mean soaking right? You're using the tub to contain the mess.
R

My LBS says to clean the frame with Pledge

I wipe off the frame with a rag soaked in liquid car wax. This acts like a bit of a mild solvent and leaves wax behind.

I then buff off the frame with a dry clean rag. The result is a clean waxed frame that tends to shed dirt and grease.