Washing dirty, muddy bikes
04-02-07, 10:49 AM
#53
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Originally Posted by tec_41
WD-40 displaces water...that's what the "WD" is (Water Displacement). So it will prevent rust, but not act as a good lubricant.
04-02-07, 02:04 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by Flak
My old bike had the original bb the whole time i owned it. Hosed it all the time.
I think people that freak out over using a hose either havent owned a bike for any real length of time and are just regurgitating what they've heard, or are just unnecessarily cautious.
I think people that freak out over using a hose either havent owned a bike for any real length of time and are just regurgitating what they've heard, or are just unnecessarily cautious.
I guess if you already ride in pretty wet/muddy situations and would normally have to replace parts because of water anyway, why not use a hose.
04-02-07, 06:25 PM
#55
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Originally Posted by BCIpam
Nope I do speak from experience. On one of my older bikes I did use a hose and the BB got corroded and had to be replaced. So now I don't use a hose. I am able to clean a bike just as quickly without one and no risk of damaging anything. It's actually less messy to brush away the dirt and wipe things clean.
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04-02-07, 06:43 PM
#56
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Originally Posted by BCIpam
Nope I do speak from experience. On one of my older bikes I did use a hose and the BB got corroded and had to be replaced. So now I don't use a hose. I am able to clean a bike just as quickly without one and no risk of damaging anything. It's actually less messy to brush away the dirt and wipe things clean.
I guess if you already ride in pretty wet/muddy situations and would normally have to replace parts because of water anyway, why not use a hose.
I guess if you already ride in pretty wet/muddy situations and would normally have to replace parts because of water anyway, why not use a hose.
Do you know for sure it was the hose that killed your BB? They need replacing/servicing all the time for all kinds of reasons.
But what do i care really? Whatever makes you happy is fine with me.
04-02-07, 09:01 PM
#57
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Originally Posted by RIC0
explain why it's not a good lube??? I keep hearing it's not good so now I'd like some explanations as to why it's such a horrible lubricant.
04-04-07, 05:21 PM
#58
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Originally Posted by RIC0
Don't lie, you use moonshine to clean the bike ya hill billy....
I'll also drink a 12 oz. bottle of AMSOIL Series 2000 Chaincase Oil straight with no WD40 chaser then take my bike into a sauna while I'm wearing a parka to sweat all over my bike to wash off dirt and grime while also lubing with the AMSOIL Series 2000 Chaincase Oil that is included in my sweat. A cleansing and lubing all in one....
04-04-07, 06:42 PM
#59
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i remember when i was young, my uncle used to heat up a coffee can of paraffin until it had liquefied, then dropped a chain into it, let it soak, then pulled it back out.
once it dried it was hard and stiff like a rock, but if you worked it, it was sealed and permanently dry waxed better than just about any over the counter product could do.
my uncle is also in jail for receiving and selling stolen property.
once it dried it was hard and stiff like a rock, but if you worked it, it was sealed and permanently dry waxed better than just about any over the counter product could do.
my uncle is also in jail for receiving and selling stolen property.
04-04-07, 09:29 PM
#60
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My preferred easy steps to reduce gritty/abrasive mud on the bike and preserve finish:
You can even use a pressurewasher if you're not getting within 2.00" of the headset, BB, and hubs and blasting with full-power from an industrial-strength machine. Leaving grit on the bike and in the drivetrain will cause far more damage than using water for cleaning chores.
- rinse from top to bottom with hose attached to warm water tap
- wash with soapy water and rag/brush
- rinse with warm water from top to bottom
- dry with papertowels
- occasionally wax frame with carnauba or even just Lemon Pledge
- periodically remove seatpost and spray FrameSaver as a cheap precaution
- lubricate chain and exposed cables
You can even use a pressurewasher if you're not getting within 2.00" of the headset, BB, and hubs and blasting with full-power from an industrial-strength machine. Leaving grit on the bike and in the drivetrain will cause far more damage than using water for cleaning chores.
04-04-07, 09:46 PM
#61
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Pete, you should see what happens at 1.00" distance. The metal actually melts at that distance.
04-04-07, 09:53 PM
#62
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Huh. Wash? Once in a great while the bike will be filthy, and on the roof rack at the same time...
Carwash time! No spraying like mad at the bearing bits, and no worries. I"ve never had any sort of issue doing this. Gets this treatment maybe 3-4 times a year. Otherwise, it's very easy to keep things smoothly running/well maintained, even with the bike looking "dirty".
Otherwise, knock the big chunks off the bike before carrying it in. No biggie. It's a bike that gets ridden in the dirt. I don't care if it looks dirty. I do care about it performing properly. The two things are most certainly not mutually exclusive.
Carwash time! No spraying like mad at the bearing bits, and no worries. I"ve never had any sort of issue doing this. Gets this treatment maybe 3-4 times a year. Otherwise, it's very easy to keep things smoothly running/well maintained, even with the bike looking "dirty".
Otherwise, knock the big chunks off the bike before carrying it in. No biggie. It's a bike that gets ridden in the dirt. I don't care if it looks dirty. I do care about it performing properly. The two things are most certainly not mutually exclusive.
04-10-07, 10:13 AM
#65
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lol...looks like he was riding in a pool of chocolate pudding...in that case...lick the bike clean...:yum:
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04-10-07, 12:57 PM
#66
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Just to add to a point...
WD40 is used on aircraft a plenty. Why wouldn't it work for something so much weaker and unimportant as a bike?
I know I've used it plenty, and my bike isn't an exception. Its worked fine for me, and I've had my bike since I was 14 (7 years), and most of those years, left out in the weather, and such.
Granted, NOW I'm replacing the RST front fork and some of the cables, but that's after Years of use and definite abuse!
I say different strokes for different folks, eh?!
WD40 is used on aircraft a plenty. Why wouldn't it work for something so much weaker and unimportant as a bike?
I know I've used it plenty, and my bike isn't an exception. Its worked fine for me, and I've had my bike since I was 14 (7 years), and most of those years, left out in the weather, and such.
Granted, NOW I'm replacing the RST front fork and some of the cables, but that's after Years of use and definite abuse!
I say different strokes for different folks, eh?!
04-10-07, 01:06 PM
#67
one less horse
Originally Posted by roundnround
Just to add to a point...
WD40 is used on aircraft a plenty. Why wouldn't it work for something so much weaker and unimportant as a bike?
WD40 is used on aircraft a plenty. Why wouldn't it work for something so much weaker and unimportant as a bike?
04-10-07, 03:05 PM
#68
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It's simple and effective and some people just can't except that it. You have to reinvent the wheel and buy magic chain lube to properly oil your chain...
Of course the bike mechanic is going to tell you what to buy, as he doesn't have WD on his shelf to make a profit but pauls magic chain oil is up there....
I've seen some of the thick 90 wieght oil poured on chains at the trail head and think, WOW that guy was sold on that crap....
Part of it was on the ground, the other was wiped off, the other was all over the crank and a little actually got on the chain.
Of course the bike mechanic is going to tell you what to buy, as he doesn't have WD on his shelf to make a profit but pauls magic chain oil is up there.... I've seen some of the thick 90 wieght oil poured on chains at the trail head and think, WOW that guy was sold on that crap....
Part of it was on the ground, the other was wiped off, the other was all over the crank and a little actually got on the chain.
04-10-07, 04:07 PM
#69
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i use wd40 too. i don't really care about the pros....or the cons.
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04-10-07, 04:25 PM
#70
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I use a home-brewed mix of denatured alcohol, Hubbard's boot grease, molybdenum disulfide and graphite powders, chain saw bar oil, WD-40, LPS-1, LPS-3, degummed racing castor and a dash of 3-in-1 oil and it's always worked for me.
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04-10-07, 04:28 PM
#71
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I need a better argument to support WD 40 than "OMG you are paying sooo much for your lube. What are your paying, like 7 dollars a year? I only pay 3 dollars"
there is better stuff out there, and it doesn't cost that much and it doesn't smell like crap.
there is better stuff out there, and it doesn't cost that much and it doesn't smell like crap.
04-10-07, 04:39 PM
#72
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Originally Posted by BCIpam
Geeeeezzzz, I am so surprised at how many folks use a hose on their bike. Again each to their own but I prefer my BB to last alittle longer. I realize I ride through mud and water but it's not the same as blast spraying water on and into the bike. Really it's not that hard to let the mud dry and knock it off. Now I seldom do a really spiffy shine job on the bike cause I agree it's just going to get dirty again but I am really good about keeping my chain properly lube with the right lubricant - Finish Line is good, Pro Link is good, Pedro's Dry is good. Some like (I don't) White lightning. WD 40 is too harse and collect dirt and grit.
And Yes I do live someplace dry (Southern California) so the mud usually dries out between rides. Don;t know what I would do if I lived on the each coast or the Pacific Northwest.
Hose users, how long do your bikes last without repairs or replacement of BB etc?
And Yes I do live someplace dry (Southern California) so the mud usually dries out between rides. Don;t know what I would do if I lived on the each coast or the Pacific Northwest.
Hose users, how long do your bikes last without repairs or replacement of BB etc?
On really bad days I use a high pressure washer and my parts last as long as average parts do here. no one has been able to prove using a high pressure washer sucks on bikes, it all just he said she said and really if you did screw your bike up with a washer, thats just stupid...it isn't rocket science.
04-10-07, 04:43 PM
#73
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Originally Posted by Curt Kurt
I need a better argument to support WD 40 than "OMG you are paying sooo much for your lube. What are your paying, like 7 dollars a year? I only pay 3 dollars"
there is better stuff out there, and it doesn't cost that much and it doesn't smell like crap.
there is better stuff out there, and it doesn't cost that much and it doesn't smell like crap.
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04-10-07, 04:48 PM
#74
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I like the way TriFlow smells..... 
I seem to like these dang smilies for some reason too. Prolly has something to do with the way TriFlow smells... I duno.
I seem to like these dang smilies for some reason too. Prolly has something to do with the way TriFlow smells... I duno.