Mountain Biking - how to properly wash a bike?

My last bike, I returned it because it started to rust. How do i wash it without rusting?

Dont shoot water at it, Grab some wet rag and clean it, then lube the parts that need so.

and dry it off, even if its not after washing

Dont shoot water at it, Grab some wet rag and clean it, then lube the parts that need so.

o haha, thats why it started to rust. thanks for the tip!:beer:

Is that oatmeal in your signature, Pete?

Use a damp cloth to wipe down everything, then immediately dry it. Make sure you re-lube the chain when you're all done.

Two things to never use on your bike: compressed water (for cleaning) & compressed air (inflating tires).

Why?

Compressed water will find its way into bearings and compressed air can blow your tubes.

I fill my tubes with compressed air, and wash my bike with a hose. Hasn't been bothered yet.

Water does not compress...you mean hi-pressure,lol

Water does not compress...you mean hi-pressure,lol

Pressurized, yes.

Compressed water will find its way into bearings and compressed air can blow your tubes.

Amazing. This forum just gets better and better.

what's the best type of lube and for what part? Should i dry off my chain when it get wet, and can i use wd 40 on it?

Don't EVER use WD-40 to LUBE a chain.

My last bike, I returned it because it started to rust. How do i wash it without rusting?

First you gotta sneak up on the little bugga...then you throw something into the thicket across the way to distract it...then you gotta commit to jumping on it and tying it up with some zip ties like they do the Perp's on TV...the rest requires a little gentle soapy rub-rub and a spritz of warm water...don't forget to buff and dry the wet spot.

I was always told to never use a gas station's air supply to fill a bike tire, because they tend to have inaccurate gauges and to be very high pressure and capacity. They're OK with large car and truck tires, but can rapidly overfill and blow out bike tires. I really don't know if that's true in general, but I did manage to explode a bike tire once upon a time when I ignored that advice.

whats wrong with wd-40?

Haven't you heard? All you need to get along in the world is WD-40 and duct tape:

If it's supposed to move, but doesn't, use WD-40

If it's not supposed to move, but does, use duct tape

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/deraltekluge/Avatars/whistling.gif

whats wrong with wd-40?


Nothing, I use it all the time and have for years. Spray the chain down with it, wipe it clean and go out and ride. You don't need chain specific lube, just keep your chain clean is the main thing.

Spray with hose. Maybe wipe down with rag. Re-lube chain and mechanical pivot points.

Don't worry, your bike is tougher than you think. It'll be OK.

what's the best type of lube and for what part? Should i dry off my chain when it get wet, and can i use wd 40 on it?

WD-40 isn't the best idea. Try Pedro's Ice Wax.

LOL I use compressed air to dry my bike. Well to dry all the hex heads, get all the water out of em so they don't rust like they did on my last bike. I'll have to wait and see if it works.

I have when the hex heads rust and then they get pulverized when you try to adjust something.

whats wrong with wd-40?

WD-40 is a penetrant designed to displace water. It's a solvent with very little lubricating qualities. The solvent in WD-40 will wash away existing lubricant.

For stuck mechanisms it's good because the combination of solvent and lubricant will help get stuck parts moving until you can lubricate them properly. As a lubricant on moving parts it's a terrible choice.

My bearings are sealed, so I don't expect water to find its way in there...

That's a common misconception. "Sealed" bearings don't keep water out, they keep air out. The proper term is cartridge bearings, even though manufacturers don't even call them that.

click the link for more info. (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/part4/section-1.html)


EDIT! To actually answer your question, I go this route, which is similar to Pete's.

1. Knock big chunks off.
2. Rag or brush.
3. Hose.
4. Lube.

I never really worry about getting my bikes super clean, but I'm definitely meticulous when it comes to grease/lube.

dribble an organic bodily fluid on it.

Another thing. Frame Saver is your friend if you have a steel frame.

But of course, if you ride a steel frame, you probably already know that.

LOL I use compressed air to dry my bike. Well to dry all the hex heads, get all the water out of em so they don't rust like they did on my last bike. I'll have to wait and see if it works.

Yeah, me too! Water in a fan spray to wash & rinse, bounce it a few times like Pete suggested then blow it off with the air compressor and finish with a chamois.

Question for the dude who never uses compressed air to fill his tires... Doesn't even a floor pump compress air? Anything over zero PSIG is compressed air. :p

About once a week I spend some quality time with my bike. I figure that if I spent that much, I need to take care of it. (Like a lot of riders, it is more bike than I will ever need.) So I feel better about it and my rides when it looks its best.
Just hours after my hardest ride of the week I use a chain cleaning machine with 100% simple green, then I use a soft car cleaning brush all over the bike with about 25% simple green. water straight out of the hose to rinse (no fan spray and avoid the bearing areas.) then i bump it to shake most of the water off, spin the chain to work a lot of the water out and let it dry--usually in the sun. Later when it is dry I use purple extreem chain lube but most any lube will work if used regularly. I spray the cables and nuts with wd-40 (carefully shielding the rest of the bike with a rag. While I let the chain lube work its way in and the solvents dry I use a spray on car wax to hit the tubes. Wipe the chain and polish the bike and we both are ready for my off day and the next week. total hands on time is no more than 15-20 mins, but even if it were--I love to spend time with my bike and make sure everything is working and looking its best.