Cyclocross - Clean a muddy bike! MY first noob experience

First I will explain what I did. PLEASE criticize what I did and tell me what I did wrong. I would like to learn the best way to clean my cyclocross bike.

I only worried about the drive train and chain.

-warm water and dishwashing soap in bucket
-tried to take speed link off and failed without the tool to do it.
-brushed chain, chain ring, and rear derailuer pully with soapy water the best I could to get mud off w/ tooth brush.
-pored water, and used wet cloth to get of soap.
-let dry and the used motorcycle chain lube on chain (onlything i had and i was told not to use wd40).
-switched through all gears

done:lol::twitchy:

please correct me im hear to learn. what would u have done, ect...

The one place WD 40 has use is Water Displacement .. hence the WD.
Park makes a Quick link pliers, if you want to get one.
then the chain can be immersed insolvent, to be cleaner.

Quick cleaning in races , a pressure washer is what they get.

maybe a bigger brush .. Pedros sells a kit, with a yellow bucket.

I usually clean my bike with a garden hose. An attachment that lets you vary the pressure is helpful. I shoot it as a powerful stream at most of the bike to knock off the bulk of the mud, being careful not to point it at the hubs, headset, bottom bracket or pedals (and honestly I'm just a little careful). Then I wipe down the frame with a clean rag and clean the chain as I would normally. Finally, chain lube and a few drops on the derailleur pivot points. It's also a good idea to wipe the braking surface of the rims and rough over the surface of the pads.

So what I did was worthwhile, and I did not hurt my bike in anyway? I was scared using the motorcycle chain lube would hurt something but I figured it was better then using nothing at all. What should I use to maintain my derailuers?

... Quick cleaning in races , a pressure washer is what they get.

maybe a bigger brush .. Pedros sells a kit, with a yellow bucket.

Wow! Where I am, we're lucky to get a hose! :lol: I've even had to use lake water from a bucket. :eek:

I've found that a hose is actually all I really need but also have the Pedro's kit. The cassette brush and the conical brush are pretty much all that I use though. After washing & drying, I always lube the chain well. I'll do my normal "Finish Line" drop per link, a few rotations of the cranks then wipe excess off with a rag. I don't use soap or degreaser on either drive train or frame and like Andy, avoid spraying bearings directly.

Even if you don't have the correct tool for popping the master link, you can use slip-joint pliers. Don't use WD-40 for lubing the chain, but it can be used to clean it although it's an expensive alternative to water. I did have a boss that had us wipe down frames with it for cleaning & shining them up for customers.

So what I did was worthwhile, and I did not hurt my bike in anyway? I was scared using the motorcycle chain lube would hurt something but I figured it was better then using nothing at all.

just be sure to wipe off as much excess lube as you can or you'll be cleaning your chain again after your next ride. also, learn and practice getting that master-link to work if you want a really clean chain - there's no substitute for a good soak off the bike. either way, don't worry about hurting your bike - it's tough. and kudos for taking the time clean and maintain your drivetrain.