Commuting - Cleaning Tips for a Sandy Commute??

Hi everyone -- about half my commute comes on the C&O Canal towpath -- which as any of you from D.C. know, is much more sand than path.

Do you have suggestion on cleaning my bike, such as --

How often should I clean which components?

Which components are the most critical to clean every ride, vs. periodically?

Have you seen any online resources that layout a general cleaning schedule?


Thanks so much in advance.

I'd spray the brakes and wheels down with a light spray at work and at home, every day, if possible at work. That should clean off any sand that would scrape on your wheels/pads. Others here might know better about the chain and cassette.

Fenders and a long front mudflap so that sand dust (or liquid sand if it rains) doesn't contaminate your chain and bottom bracket.

And in summer, be sure to use a very dry lubricant so that airborne particles don,t stick on the chain.

A wax lube like Pedros or White Lightening will help you run a cleaner drivetrain and derailleurs. Avoid using std bike oil.
Use a few layers of car wax on your frame.
You wont need to clean after every ride.

With sealed bottom brackets and hubs, its better to leave them alone. Aggressive cleaning can force particles into the seals. Avoid any solvents around the seals.
If your headset is unsealed, then next time you need to replace the bearings, put a 2" section of inner tube around the lower race to seal out any crud.

As MichaelW said, wax your frame with car wax.
I've recently started doing this and the fine sand dust stuff is much easier to wipe off with a damp cloth.
As for components, I would agree with everything said above. Use a dry chain lube.Seal your headset with an inner tube.
Wipe down your brake pads to make sure sand doesn't collect on them and cause premature rim wear when you brake.