General Cycling Discussion - Washing you bike is a thing of great love.

Each section is carefully washed and waxed to make it look like new. It is such a very good feeling to see it shine like it just came off the showroom floor again.

I know that feeling only too well. :D

I find it so hard to do indoors without a repair stand. Any hints??

Lou

I will be washing my bike on Saturday morning before our race, nice and shiny just like new. I remove the magnet from my trainer and use the trainer frame as a bike clamp, place it in the driveway, while the rest of the street wash their cars. Washing before a race is also a good way to spot any problems that need attention.

1) spray on degreaser for chain, cassette and crank
2) hose off degreaser and wet the rest of the bike
3) soak with car detergent and big sponge
4) dry with chamois including spokes
5) re-lube chain and cassette

SWEET!

I don't spray water on my bike, if I clean my bike,I will have a wet/soapy towel /rug then I clean the frame and and the rims and the spoke, then I dry them really good, then I apply Pedro Bike lust, as for the chain, same thing sponge and soapy water to clean the chain, dry them really good then I apply the campy chain oil, since I have a sealed bearing hubs on my wheels I see to it that the center of the hubs is also clean, as for the cogs I take them apart and clean the cogs, spraying water on your bike is a bad idea, water can get into some part of your bike, like the head sets, the hubs, the bottom bracket, and inside the frame, that's the start of trouble for your bike

Originally posted by amerpie
I find it so hard to do indoors without a repair stand. Any hints??

Depending on your frame geometry, you might want to try sticking some "bike hooks" (not really hooks but long arms) into the wall. I have one in my office that folds flat against the wall when you don't need it.

This one pictured here is made by Racor:

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/images/products/full/racuf3.jpg

I've seen these sold for around $15-$20 at bike shops and mail/Internet order. I got mine (a no-name knock-off) at Home Depot though for around $10.

You can hang the frame from the arms, take the wheels off and clean it all seperately. If you're afraid you'll accidently bump the frame off the arms while cleaning, you can always get a set of velcro straps from a hobby/craft store and secure the top-tube against the hooks of the arms. I also take my chain off (mmmm PowerLink) and stick it in a tuperware bowl with some degreaser to clean it.

I know the feeling, but the dings and dents don't wash out.. zzzeach one I remember, how it originated. Poor bike.

Originally posted by Dutchy
1) spray on degreaser for chain, cassette and crank
2) hose off degreaser and wet the rest of the bike
3) soak with car detergent and big sponge
4) dry with chamois including spokes
5) re-lube chain and cassette


Almost exactly my routine, except I use dishwashing liquid (like it matters that much).

If my XC bike is really a mess after a ride I take it to the car wash and go over it with the pressure washer, especially if it's already on the back of my car. Yeah, I try to be careful around the hubs, headset and BB. My justification: The pros' bikes are liberally cleaned after every ride with a hose and water. A 3 hour rain ride is worse than a monthly wash. My MTB parts are much more likely to wear out or break from my riding style, racing or copious amounts of mud and frequent stream crossings than from a few trips to the car wash.

that reminds me I haven't cleaned my bike for over 1000 miles :o

my friends take the piss because i clean my bike so much, though I think if you clean it regularly it makes it quicker and easier as well as all the benefits of less wear etc. They also used to mock me because I'd rather carry my bike to the sixth floor rather than leaving it out in the cold and rain. Still it's not as bad when they see me in my cycling kit that's when i get the most abuse.

Cycle care - the union of art and science. It IS a labor of love. Like each of us I'm constantly honing my ritual.

PerformanceBike.com has an informative guide to bike washing written by former pro bike wrench (Polo Sport) Brian Butler. It makes a great place to start.

http://www.performancebike.com/inform/displayarticle.html?Content_ID=1080&View=solo&Content_Category_ID=31

Just did mine.A ittle dawn,mist my tires with simple green,wash,dry,rewax my chain,30 minutes,done.

Originally posted by orguasch
I don't spray water on my bike,

Neither do I. Right now it would cost me $15,000 to do that.

If you clean your bike once a week, then you are a conscientious rider that takes good care of your equipment. If, however, you clean your machine every day, then you are a sick puppy and need help.
Signed,
Tarantula's Wife

Originally posted by Chris L


Neither do I. Right now it would cost me $15,000 to do that.

is water that hard to come by then??? :p

Originally posted by Giant_racer
is water that hard to come by then??? :p

Where I live, the following currently applies:

All outdoor water use between the hours of 7am and 5pm is banned.

Because I live in an odd-numbered house - All outdoor water use on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday is banned.

Outdoor water use for virtually anything other than watering a garden with a hand-held hose is banned.

I'm not joking about the size of the fine either. :eek:

Unfortunately, right now, water is that hard to come by around here. I even had to buy bottled water to refill my bottles on my ride last Sunday. :cry:

In saying that, I've managed to get around it a bit by using recycled shower water for irrigation, and last night I ate the biggest, sweetest passionfruit in the world. That's my big "F**K YOU!" to the drought. :p

Do you need to use anthing on the tires? Like glicerin or something?

Originally posted by Chris L


Neither do I. Right now it would cost me $15,000 to do that. ,
come up here on the other side of the globe, we have plenty of that stuff out here:beer: :beer:

FROZEN?

Originally posted by shokhead
FROZEN?
shokhead,
Why are you spoiling the fun:D :D :D :D :D
oscar

I like ice.I have some in a glass right now.

Washing your bike should be a festive occasion. Just turn on some tunes, get the cleaning stuff out and enjoy. A clean bike is a happy bike.