Winter Cycling - Below freezing bike cleaning?

How do you clean your bike outside in the winter time.When the temps are below freezing?:) I don't have a warm place to clean the bike.

That is a good question and I have often wondered the same.

My solution has been to bring the bike into the basement and wash it, but there are many apartment dwellers that do not have this option.

I suppose you could go to a car wash, but DO NOT use the power blaster on your bike. Even the pressure of a garden hose can blow water into bearings and into the frame.

To get rid of salt and crap on your bike, you can try rubbing it with clean snow. (Don't try this bare handed) The pressure from rubbing will melt the snow a little and leave some moisture on the bike that may freeze, but at least your bike will be cleaner.

I've always wonder the same. I am a condo dweller. My building does have a hose that is available to residents for washing cars and such and it's located in the loading docks.. however, they turn off the water from like Dec to April.

I notice that bike shops must have to clean their bikes. I wonder, do you think they have indoor areas that they use to wash bikes? Do you think they would let you rent time there to wash your bike? Especially if you purchased the bike there? Is that something that is bad to ask (kinda like asking to use a tool)? Not sure about the proper manners there.

Thanks,

PBW

:) Thanks,This is what I did today,I got 2 one gallon milk jugs full of very soapy water and 2 jugs of rinse water.For each bike, I cleaned the bikes and dried them off very fast.By that time my fingers were frozen,Then I took all the bikes back inside the house to dry completely.Thanks again.

I have been putting warm water in bucket and dumping it over the frame to get the salt and crap off. Works for me.

My theory, so far:

In the fall, grease everything that could attract road salt, especially under the bottom bracket, fork and stays. Grease all exposed cables and lubricate those travelling in sleves.

Then, once in a blue moon, clean the top and seat tube so I keep my clothing clean.

When the chain complaints, lubricate it with something thick. Depending on weather, I go from the green Finish Line to bearing grease... to WD-40 (when I had put grease, expecting a full week of wet weather... and we don't get anything)..

In April, remove Winter tires, clean the bike, regrease bearings and install slick tires.

BTW, I have fenders and long mudflaps, which help a lot to keep the bike clean.

Crash into a snowbank? ;) My winter bike is a 5 year old $200 POS, I could care less about keeping it clean. When the chain and gears start to rust I just shoot em with a bit of WD-40 to stop the noise.

I laugh at those who drive expensive 4WD pickups in the winter, those guys spend more time in the carwash trying to keep their "babies" clean than they do driving! :rolleyes:

Krisa,
My bike sounds like yours. Do you use anything other than wd-40 on your chain?

Originally posted by donham
Krisa,
My bike sounds like yours. Do you use anything other than wd-40 on your chain?

WD-40 is a cleaner, not a lube. You should definitely clean your chain, but follow up with lube. I have found White Lightning's Clear Streak to be a great chain cleaner. Tri-flow and Pro Lube are great chain lubes. Enjoy!

P.S. I know this is a similar reply to the one under Commuting :)