I'm starting this thread because I am really curious. While out riding lately I've noticed that other cyclists are on such sparkling clean bikes and mine is a greasy, grimy mess. I bought my current bike in July of '04 and for like the first 2 years I was really good about keeping it clean, but as of late I have just totally given up on cleaning it. I mean I still do the basic maint. stuff like cleaning and oiling the drivetrain, but that's really as far as I'll go, and of course when something breaks it gets fixed. I guess I've taken on this "as long as it rides it's fine mentality". A couple of months ago I took it in to have a new bar installed and I had an issue with the rear wheel and the tech. at the bike shop said "wow, I'm gonna have to clean it first because this is way to dirty to work on". I was so embarassed and I felt like such a pig. Anyways, I'll be curious to see what everyones response will be.
ctimrun
02-01-07, 12:03 AM
I, like you (OP) fall into the category if it is rideable then I don't mess with it. Yes I have had a mechanic tell me it is too dirty too!
I think the others who are on spotless bikes fall into one of four categories...
1. They hardly ever ride.
2. They are single and are able to ride alot and clean alot.
3. They are hitched, ride alot and clean alot, but are soon to be separated and/or divorced.
4. They are hitched to someone who also rides and they do both together or for each other.
jschen
02-01-07, 12:06 AM
I am meticulous before group centuries. Vivian must look her best, and her white bar tape must be noticably white. Otherwise, an occasional lubing of the drivetrain will do. And if on my spare bike, I don't clean nearly as carefully.
1955
02-01-07, 12:12 AM
Never anymore, it's a 2004 model.
jschen
02-01-07, 12:13 AM
Time for a new bike, eh? ;)
nacy333
02-01-07, 12:44 AM
I look at it like this: the time wasted cleaning the bike can be time spent riding the fuggin' thing. :mad:
I sincerely dislike having to clean the chain and drivetrain (which is why I got one of them wipperman connex links so I can remove the chain for quick cleaning) because it cuts into the small amount of time that I'd like to be riding. It has to be done but I guess I usually do a wipe-down semi-wash when I'm cleaning the drivetrain.
I had to take my bike in to the LBS to have them change out my crankset and they asked if I'd like for them to wipe it down. It was $7.00 but I figure I'm gonna be forced to do it when I clean the drivetrain (in about a week) so I didn't bother. It doesn't surprise me however, that they typically have customers that would prefer for them to wipe their bikes down.
Pigtire
02-01-07, 04:30 AM
When my dog starts leaning too close to my bike thinking it's a tree and about to take a leak then I know it's time to give it a wash.
cyclezealot
02-01-07, 04:46 AM
I love a clean bicycle. Seems the chilly weather cuts down on my riding and cleaing my bikes. In the summer, I wash the bikes at least once a month. ( I have four bikes.) In the winter, it's been several months. I love shinny derailleurs.
magicant
02-01-07, 06:33 AM
I clean it after a particularly dirty or wet ride (like last Saturday).
Beyond that, usually once a month when I have a free afternoon. By comparison, I take my car to the car wash twice a year or so.
Priorities, y'know?
cyclezealot
02-01-07, 07:02 AM
that's what I have to do to get my bikes routinely washed. Ride when it's wet. I could not sleep at night knowing the drive train is gritty.
big john
02-01-07, 07:18 AM
If you just spray it with some Pledge and wipe it off it only takes a couple minutes, and this gives you a chance to inspect it for cracks, loose bolts or spokes, cut tires, etc. Some problems can be avoided by a little look-see. Once I do a rain ride, I don't clean it until I think the rain is gone.
bigdraft
02-01-07, 07:32 AM
for me it's one of those relative things, The more I ride it, the less I want to touch it after I get off of it. But when it becomes a bit of an eyesore, then I get it all clean looking.
awiner
02-01-07, 08:08 AM
I agree with John. I wipe by bike down after every ride. I have done this for 20+ years with my bikes. Only takes a couple minutes and reveals any potential issues. I always wipe down the rims and tires to make sure nothing has lodged itself in the rubber.
If you get into the habit it will pay off one day. Plus my bike looks OCP cool all the time !
If I ride in the rain, which I avoid at all costs (That is what an indoor trainer is for), then I actually will disassemble parts of the bike and dry / clean and lube them.
I am a stickler on maintenance and do it all myself. I repack bearings once a year, true wheels when needed, adjust, inspect, replace, etc. If you have Speedplay pedals make sure to grease the spindles at least every 2000 miles or after a wet ride and. Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you.
Psydotek
02-01-07, 08:22 AM
I clean every 100-200 miles of riding depending on how i feel. And now that i've got a cassette tool, i can finally clean the cassette the easy way (remove and soak in cleaner) rather than the hard way (with a rag and wiping in between each cog). My Park chain cleaner also makes things a cinch.
herbm
02-01-07, 08:43 AM
I clean and lube the drive train every couple of weeks or after a wet or dirty ride...I wash once a month...
While I like the OCP factor...I really like the smooth shifting a clean and lubed drive train provides...
And as posted earlier...it is important to check for problems....I found 2 cracked wheels while cleaning...that saved me from a major disaster...
Awiner...I imagine you have to disassemble the Speedplays to properly grease them??
I saw a diagram in my Zinn book...looks a bit tough..
Psydotek
02-01-07, 08:44 AM
I though the speedplay pedals had a zerk fitting or something similar?
octico
02-01-07, 08:50 AM
I, like you (OP) fall into the category if it is rideable then I don't mess with it. Yes I have had a mechanic tell me it is too dirty too!
I think the others who are on spotless bikes fall into one of four categories...
1. They hardly ever ride.
2. They are single and are able to ride alot and clean alot.
3. They are hitched, ride alot and clean alot, but are soon to be separated and/or divorced.
4. They are hitched to someone who also rides and they do both together or for each other. +1 Very well. I try to ride twice a week this time of the year. That would mean that I would have to wash my bike once a week. That would be way too much work.
herbm
02-01-07, 08:53 AM
I though the speedplay pedals had a zerk fitting or something similar?
Zerk?
jsigone
02-01-07, 09:00 AM
I never wash my bikes, just lube the chain and air up the tires. I still have mud on my roadie from the Burrito century when we went under the tunnel of mud.
Indolent58
02-01-07, 09:12 AM
I keep the drivetrain clean and lubed at all times. The rest of the bike gets wiped down selectively when I see particulary grungy spots but I never go over the whole bike at one time.
Cassave
02-01-07, 09:25 AM
I'm meticulous about keeping my bikes clean, and I ride all the time, between commuting and weekend
rides. Cleaning and inspecting on a regular basis can save your butt. In the last three months I've discovered a cracked crack arm, a cracked rear hub flange and a severely cracked rear rim. Anyone of those defects would have been ugly if I hadn't caught them before they let go on the road.
ronjon10
02-01-07, 09:29 AM
I clean the drivetrain once every week or two which also includes a wipedown of the frame. I only scrub down the frame, spokes etc if when it gets really bad. If it's raining or excessively wet, I put on fenders so the bike never gets toooo dirty.
Psydotek
02-01-07, 09:37 AM
Zerk?
A grease port. :)
I just checked the website, it looks like they do:
I never wash any of my bikes. Aside from the fact I love the way fenders look on a bike, I put them on because it keeps the bike a heck of a lot cleaner. I wipe down the entire bike with a rag and brush in the small nooks and crannies where grit accumulates (bottom bracket, brake calipers, derailleurs, etc). I try to do this once a week or more often depending on conditions. As for the drivetrain, I wipe it down/lube when necessery and I try to give it a good cleaning once a month, but I usually end up forgetting.
With the mountain bike I wipe it down/brush after every ride but I'm more leniant with the drivetrain. I usually just wipe it down and lube when necessary. A good drivetrain cleaning only comes when I won't be using that bike for a while.
awiner
02-01-07, 09:50 AM
Awiner...I imagine you have to disassemble the Speedplays to properly grease them??
Nope... Just unscrew the small Phillips head screw that is on the end. This is a grease port. Then use a grease gun with a needle tip (Like the one Speedplay sells or the one from Pedro's works well too).
Pump grease in until it squeezes out clean on the spindle side. Wipe up the mess and enjoy quiet and free spinning pedals for another 1500-2000 miles :)
roadfix
02-01-07, 09:59 AM
I usually do a simple quick job of cleaning and inspecting my bike before each big weekend ride.
My mountain bike, on the hand, usually gets a thorough washing after each big ride.
herbm
02-01-07, 10:03 AM
A grease port. :)
I just checked the website, it looks like they do:
Nope... Just unscrew the small Phillips head screw that is on the end. This is a grease port. Then use a grease gun with a needle tip (Like the one Speedplay sells or the one from Pedro's works well too).
Pump grease in until it squeezes out clean on the spindle side. Wipe up the mess and enjoy quiet and free spinning pedals for another 1500-2000 miles :)
Thanks Adam...
I do have one of those mini grease guns...will get this done asap!
Seems easy enough even I can do it!:rolleyes:
HRC-Rascal
02-01-07, 10:05 AM
I don't really ever wash them in the sense of a hose and bucket, but I wipe them down with Pedro's Bike Lust and rags about once a month, or after a particularly hard ride that made the bike a mess. On the hard rides, I usually spill Gatorade on the seat tube and occasionally on the top tupe so I like to get that stuff off ASAP.
When I do this wipe down, I also quickly check the bolts and clean and lube the chain.
Before a hard ride, I will also give the bike a quick inspection and lube, just for peace of mind.
On my older rigs, I'm a little concerned with the sweat eating the paint so I wipe off the bike after every ride, just a quick swipe with a rag (with cleaner) and I'm done. I had two frames paint get damaged due to sweat.
For my mountain bikes, I haven't cleaned them in years, but I do clean and lube the chain every few months, so probably every 200 miles. Strangely enough, I found that they perform better when I don't clean them thoroughly, like I do my roadbikes.
Finally, if I ride in the rain then I'll clean the bike as soon as I can afterwards.
Scootcore
02-01-07, 10:12 AM
maybe a good solid cleaning once a month....if its been raining and ive been commuting in it, every other day itll get a quick hose down to get all the grit and funk off.
awiner
02-01-07, 10:40 AM
Thanks...my X2's are probably the same...
The X and Zero pedals use the same procedure. Push hard when you inject the grease so the plastic dust cap doesn't pop back towards you. If is does, push it back in and continue.
Have a lot of paper towels handy to clean up the old grease that will come out the spindle side.
I would also recommend checking your cleats at this time. I usually get about 4000 miles out of my Speedplay cleats before they flat spot.
Check the bow ties as well for wear, indicated by shiny spots. You can actually take the bowties off when the edge is worn and spin them 180 degrees. This will give you extended life out of a set.
herbm
02-01-07, 10:46 AM
The X and Zero pedals use the same procedure. Push hard when you inject the grease so the plastic dust cap doesn't pop back towards you. If is does, push it back in and continue.
Have a lot of paper towels handy to clean up the old grease that will come out the spindle side.
I would also recommend checking your cleats at this time. I usually get about 4000 miles out of my Speedplay cleats before they flat spot.
Check the bow ties as well for wear, indicated by shiny spots. You can actually take the bowties off when the edge is worn and spin them 180 degrees. This will give you extended life out of a set.
Thanks...I just replaced my cleats...they were pretty flat!!
Oh thats a good idea..thanks...
MarkAJ
02-01-07, 02:42 PM
I keep my bikes clean. (I even remember one ride where Thomson made a comment about my clean bike. I remarked it keeps the weight down.) A clean bike works better and while cleaning I check for potential problems. I want my ride to be as safe as I can make it. Before a big ride like this month’s Tour de Palm Springs I will clean the bike, clean the chain, lube, etc. and inspect the bike and tires. Having a bike repair stand has made cleaning, servicing and inspections a no brainier. I enjoy riding a clean bike that makes no noise. If I have to take my bike into the LBS I make sure it is clean. I feel if the bike mechanic sees that I have a high regard for my bike they will too. (This is just my unproven theory.) It has been my observation from group rides that most do not care how clean their bikes are. But they do care if it is not working to their satisfaction.
SixEye
02-01-07, 04:30 PM
I ride an old, steel, bright red, downtube-shifting Specialized which gets washed and lubed every month. Meguiar's Quick Detailer does it for me. Keeps it looking bright and shiny; and makes it smell nice too.
thomson
02-01-07, 04:33 PM
I keep my bikes clean. (I even remember one ride where Thomson made a comment about my clean bike. I remarked it keeps the weight down.) A clean bike works better and while cleaning I check for potential problems. I want my ride to be as safe as I can make it. Before a big ride like this month’s Tour de Palm Springs I will clean the bike, clean the chain, lube, etc. and inspect the bike and tires. Having a bike repair stand has made cleaning, servicing and inspections a no brainier. I enjoy riding a clean bike that makes no noise. If I have to take my bike into the LBS I make sure it is clean. I feel if the bike mechanic sees that I have a high regard for my bike they will too. (This is just my unproven theory.) It has been my observation from group rides that most do not care how clean their bikes are. But they do care if it is not working to their satisfaction.
Mark's bike is showroom clean. I whipped out my razor and used his chain as a mirror and gave myself a nice little shave. Well, until I hit that pothole and nicked myself a bit. But I digress, his bike is very clean, looks great!!
Indolent58
02-01-07, 05:15 PM
If I have to take my bike into the LBS I make sure it is clean. I feel if the bike mechanic sees that I have a high regard for my bike they will too. (This is just my unproven theory.)
OTOH, they might just think that you don't ride much. :D :D
herbm
02-01-07, 05:17 PM
OTOH, they might just think that you don't ride much. :D :D
:lol: :lol:
Drew12
02-01-07, 09:21 PM
I lube the chain, check the tires, and do a quick inspection on every ride.
The bikes get cleaned as needed. I don't like a dirty bike, but spotless, I don't think so.
I'll clean as needed. I think a clean bike runs better and parts last longer.
Oh, and I do always do at least a quick clean before taking it to the LBS.
It' just courteous so they mechanic doesn't have to get all mucked up.... They can't earn that much,
service is cheap.
supersport
02-02-07, 08:55 AM
Category number 4, for me.
I do frames. I'm into wax. My wife does drivetrains. She's into grease.
Jim
I, like you (OP) fall into the category if it is rideable then I don't mess with it. Yes I have had a mechanic tell me it is too dirty too!
I think the others who are on spotless bikes fall into one of four categories...
1. They hardly ever ride.
2. They are single and are able to ride alot and clean alot.
3. They are hitched, ride alot and clean alot, but are soon to be separated and/or divorced.
4. They are hitched to someone who also rides and they do both together or for each other.
1265 Lombardi
02-02-07, 12:08 PM
I wipe down the chain everytime I ride. Usually give it a good cleaning once a week or so,depends on how dirty the bike is and how busy I am.
jsigone
02-02-07, 12:19 PM
is there a catagory for those that don't care how the bike looks and long as it works and shifts fine and still able to haulass:D
MarkAJ
02-02-07, 01:18 PM
+1 I seen that, but when you don't haul_ _ _ you got to do something that looks good. I can't kit up every ride.
1955
02-02-07, 01:26 PM
Time for a new bike, eh? ;)
Only if you give me a new one. I still love my bike like the day I got it...I just don't clean it anymore, although I might bring it into the living room and clean it up tonight while vegging in front of the tv. That might be fun, it's been about a year since it was last cleaned.:)
1955
02-03-07, 02:29 AM
Well I did it, I cleaned and lubed my bike tonight, yeah hoo!
BigSean
02-03-07, 10:00 AM
I never wash them, I just clean em. Water or the hose is not a good idea. Much better to wipe with a towel and use brushes. I just cleaned my roadie with two towels and a bottle of Bike Lust by Pedros, great combination and I highly recommend it.;)
Nachoman
02-03-07, 10:27 AM
Not often enough! Thanks for reminding me. I've got the tour de palm springs next weekend so I think I'll get out there today and clean and prep the co-motion tandem (for my daughter and I), the trek hybrid for my son, and the Douglas Ti for the wife.
Oleanshoebox
02-03-07, 12:51 PM
my bike has only been on one ride and i just wiped it with a fluffy burp rag. i need to get a chain cleaner and a brush.
the mtb i'd say gets lovin at least every two weeks. i lube everything before a long ride, check tires, etc.
i also agree w/sean. no hose. i use rags and soapy water-dry rag for the drivetrain.
jschen
02-03-07, 01:56 PM
No hose here, either. I just use water and paper towels for most of the bike. (The only exception is my bar tape. See below.) Rock & Roll lube for cleaning and lubing the drivetrain, again just using a few paper towels to deal with it all. No chain cleaner or brush, though it would help with getting the junk out on the inside of the chain links!
As for my bar tape, some people have asked me how I keep it looking white. Simple. Start out with really white bar tape. The Deda tape is amazingly bright compared to other white bar tape. And then once in a while, when I really care, I wipe it down with a wet paper towel with one drop of dishwashing detergent. And then wipe off what I can with a wet paper towel with just water. And then wipe off what I can with a dry paper towel. Tada! Not as white as new, but comparable to how most other brands of white bar tape look when new.
Nachoman
02-05-07, 07:14 PM
I couldn't sustain white bar tape. Not without wearing rubber gloves on every ride.