Bicycle Mechanics - hosing down your bike?

This afternoon at a local bike shop, I watched a store employee hose down a row of the store's new bikes that were parked outside.
I have been quoted chapter and verse about avoiding getting water in the bottom bracket, seatpost, and the wheel hubs. So, I was surprised to see that this employee wasn't taking any particular care to lower the pressure of the spray OR to avoid spraying the bottom bracket, etc. But when I asked her about what she was doing (very politely I thought), she replied that she was doing it the way she'd been taught, and that she'd been doing it that way for the four+ years that she's worked there with "no problems". The bikes were left to drip dry in the warm sun.

Reactions, please!

There are a few other threads on this subject. if you do a search you should get some answers.

You shouldn't spray those areas with any pressure at all, especially directly. Drip dry is no good.

I use a duster as they are dusty not dirty.

If you locate the previous threads on this subject and you are still concerned, you can always anonymously send a copy to the shop.

Originally posted by philosoraptor
This afternoon at a local bike shop, I watched a store employee hose down a row of the store's new bikes that were parked outside.
.. when I asked her about what she was doing.., she replied that she was doing it the way she'd been taught, and that she'd been doing it that way for the four+ years.. with "no problems".

Reactions, please!

At the very least she should wear a shower cap.

Nice picture...
it is like deja' vu all over again!

Kind of makes me feel bad about not taking my new bike out in the rain!

Rob

Washing is a quick way to get a bike clean, sometimes very clean. Excess water pressure pointed at bearings may cause problems. For more on bike washing see Bike Washiing (http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/BCB4.shtml)

Sometime in the last couple of years I saw a little blurb on the pro team mechanics. They wash all the bikes down every night with hoses, soft brushes and rags. Just avoid the bearings as already mentioned. After a nasty rainy ride I gently hose down my bike to get all the grit off before it has a chance to dry in place. When I wash my bike I use a soft automobile "wheel brush" with soap/Simple Green and water then a gentle hose rinse. Just don't hit anything with high pressure that will force water where the sun don't shine. :D

I would never hose down my bike. The only way I've been taught, and how I'd do it is to wipe it down and give it a complete cleaning and regreasing. Hosing down a bike risks getting water into the frame/bearings and this is a BAD thing. :eek:

There are a few other threads on this subject. if you do a search you should get some answers.

This kind of reply is not always helpfull. If all forum members would follow suit, there will be no more threads left....
Lastly, the search engine of this forum has limited success sometimes in finding related subjects.

Just my 2 cents