LowCel 

WOW, I generally pay around $12 - $15 a gallon at Sam's Club. I'm getting ripped off!!

jiiiim

rockshox redrum

wheelhot

what you guys think if I were to use these Silicone Spray on my chain and bearings (and things that rusts on my bike)? https://www.wd40.com/Brands/3in1pro.html

Pamestique 

Take it from someone who learned a hard lesson - don't hose down your bike. The water will get into the bottom bracket and cause problems. If your bike gets that muddy, let the mud dry and then knock it off with a rag and/or brush. You can use water, but use a bucket and a rag to lightly wipe down the bike and make sure it it thoroughly dried.

Most important is to keep the chain clean and lubed. A gritty chain will cuase wear and tear on the cassette and crank. I have some brushes I use to knock off the dirt, I use furniture polish (Pledge) to clean it (if I don't take it off and thoroughly clean) and then I lube with Pro-link, If in a wet area - try White Lightning or Pedro's Dry Lube. Don't use degreaser on the chain unless you first take it off the bike (or use a chain cleaner). It can cause damage to the bike's paint finish (again a lesson hard learned). Also all my bikes have Connex (sp?) links - I used them to remove and replace the chain. It can be used over and over without problem.

You really have to worry most about the drive train and then the forks and shocks. Wipe down the rotors (if you have disc brakes) but don't ever get oil, grease or lube on them. With the fork and shock I add a dab of Pro Link and then pump the fork and shock to distribute the lube.

I've gotten in the habit of wiping down my chain before each ride and giving it a lube. Keeps it clean and working right.

LowCel 

I think you should use a proper lube that is designed for your drivetrain. You have a nice bike with nice components, why risk ruining them to save a buck or two?

wheelhot

well, I tune my hose to shower mode so its just like making the bike wet under the rain, then I use a sponge and dishwasher soap to clean the frame. Anyway what you guys thinking of using Silicone Spray on my chain and bearings (and things that rusts on my bike)? https://www.wd40.com/Brands/3in1pro.html

mlh122

+1 i've ruined a hub and some pedals with the hose on jet mode. jet mode cleans stuff pretty fast and gets in all the cracks, but shower mode hasn't ruined anything yet. i usually do a light shower to get the big stuff off. then if im doing just a quick clean up before or after a ride or if im too lazy to do a more thorough one, i spray it with wd40 and wipe it off then spray with White Lightning dry lube. if im doing a thorough cleaning i use degreaser and brushes.

here and there

After a ride I brush as much grit as I can off the chain/cassette/chainrings, derailleurs, and any other spots where there is a lot of grit accumulation and I wipe down the frame. When the chain needs re-lubing or when I won't be riding for a while I'll give the entire drivetrain a good cleaning.

RIC0

My SRAM powerllink lasted about 20 miles and broke at the power link. It got tossed into the woods and used the chain breaker to push out a good pin and reinsert it and it's been good ever since.

After every other ride depending on the mud, I spray the entire bike down with simple green, hose it off and hang it up to dry. Then spray down derailleurs and chain with WD-40 and she's ready to rock and roll.

Maelstrom 

I clean once in a blue moon. If its an exceptionally muddy ride I will check my pivots and chain but I don't clean everytime.

LowCel 

Unfortunately this can happen to any chain. My cross bike came with a shimano chain, not sure which model though. I managed 4.5 miles on it before I snapped it on a flat section of dirt road.

Flak

+1, except that i ride a HT.

Just keep the important bits lubed, and only clean every now and then, unless its really muddy.

wheelhot

Silicone Spray is okay to use to lubricate rite? Because some riders seems to like silicone spray

LowCel 

Use whatever makes ya happy. I just know that as far as lubricants go I will never use any product with the name WD-40 on it. Some people (my dad) used WD-40 and it never causes a problem, others aren't so lucky. Personally my bike is worth buying something that I know won't cause damage. Is yours?

hills

well i ... wash my bike down with the hose, clean it with a cloth, lube inside the gear/brake cables, clean the pads, clean the chain and then oil the chain

Maelstrom 

Powerlinks are great, I like the wipperman version of it as well. I have never had any problems.

Maelstrom 

I bet the wife appreciates it too

Thor29

If you use your hands to remove a SRAM powerlink, there is no way that you are putting forces on it greater than what it experiences every revolution of the cranks. So I don't see how removing it would be a problem

As far as regular bike maintenance, when I am done riding I hang the bike up. When I am ready to ride I check the tire pressure and the brakes. If the brakes need adjustment, I adjust them. (Takes less than a minute - hooray for BB7s)! I lube the chain once in awhile. That's pretty much it. (Hooray for single speeds)! Oh, and about 2 or 3 times a year I actually wash the bike. It's awfully pretty when it's clean (hooray for Niner)!

BigSean

Basically wipe it down and clean the chain, re oil as needed. Monthly check torque on all the bolts and shock seals. If you have a full suspension bike check all pivot bolts and bearings for play. I do not reccomend a hose for bike washing. Instead wipe it down and use cleaning brush's to get the dirt off. Water is not friendly to bearings.

Pamestique 

Thanks Sean.... I was beginning to think I was the only one that would not use a hose.

Honestly it's not neccessary to put a hose to a bike; that's just laziness. Once the mud/dirt dries it's so easy to wipe off. Even if you wipe the bike down good - you can't get it out of the bearings, bottom bracket, etc. Used whatever lubricant but I say why not use the one made for the purpose - there are many good bike lubes out here - I recommend Pro Link and a little goes a long way. WD40 can be very harsh and it collects dirt and grit. Grit is bad for bikes.

I believe keeping a bike clean keeps things in good working condition longer. I'm cheap. I rather not replace chains, cassette and cranks if I don't have too. But then again I probably have more time on my hands to clean then most.

Wheelchairman

Im not much of a cleaner, but when I do clean my bike I go to town with it .

After every ride I degrease the chain and cluster etc, then relube. Check tyre pressures then that's it.

When I clean my bike, I take all wheels off and clean them excessively. Degrease the chain in a bucket of degreaser. Get the crank-puller out and take the crankset and pedal arm off the BB. Then I wipe the bike down with cold, soapy water. I dry the frame with a chamey (sp?) then put the now cleaned crank back on, followed by wheels and chain. Lube everything and dab grease on both derailiuers and torque all my bolts. Adjust my brakes and then get some pressure into the tyres. Done

apclassic9

My son uses a wipperman stainless steel chain (uses 1 per year) with the connex link. Aside from no rusting worries, he can easily take it off & clean it, dry it, and snap it back on. Yeah, they cost a little more, but I think it's worth it (you can find them on line in the mid $40 range).

He cleans his bike when it gets dirty, which in WV, is about after every ride. Let the mud dry, brush it off, and then hose the bike down - with a dribbling hose, not a jet spray. He finishes off every now & again with that teflon tub cleaner stuff - it really helps deflect mud - half the time it just falls off itself as it dries.

wheelhot

damn connex chain is expensiveeeee, comparing to other chains

Maelstrom 

Yep

cryptid01

Yes, but strong and so very shiny



I hose down my bike between rides if it needs it and give it a good thorough cleaning about once a month or so. Anyone who never uses running water to wash their bike doesn't ride in truly muddy conditions.