Bicycle Mechanics - Using a hose

Thats spelt Hose, sorry. I can't edit thread tittles...errrrr
First off, id like to say I have the park tool - big blue book.


Any ways. Is it cool to spray my bike down with the hose? bad for the free hub?

These two threads of mine might go together.

And no- I havn't rinsed my bike yet, the park tool book says dont use a strong stream.

I think of it like this: Ideally I would like to never use running water to clean my bike off, but there are times where the bike gets so dirty that hosing it off is really the lesser of two evils, the worse being leaving mud caked on all the components, rendering them useless. If the bike is just a little dirty, a rag and some elbow grease is sufficient.

Make sure the hose is not jet-streamed, and spray perpendicularly to the bearing location. For example, only spray the BB area from the top, as opposed to spraying sideways. You can also put the water in an old waterbottle and rinsing the delicate areas of the bike that way.

A very weak-stream spray will be okay for your bike-cleaning purposes.

I do it everytime I clean my bike. I use a chain scrubber with degreaser. Rinse it off. Rinse bike, scrub with light soap and water. Degrease rims, rinse off. Just use a soft stream. Then let dry preferably in sun with wind. Use a towel to dry also. Then lube properly the chain and other moving parts that need lubrication. Havent had any problems with rust or seals breaking or leaking. I do keep my bike inside, so it doesnt see the garage.

I was taught the same thing in regards to fire arms - always wipe instead of spray - but...

Is there really any difference between a low pressure spray of clean water and 20 mph in a driving rain through dirty puddles for 3 hours?