Germanicus

I have a Tricross but usually just use it for road riding. This past weekend however, the paved road I was on ended up on on a dirt road which turned into some sandy trails and before I knew it I was deep in a sandy, muddy morass.

Now I have sand caked into all my gears, seals and chain. I am a little wary of putting the hose to the drive train because I don't want to wash the grit further into the bearings. So maybe its better to scrub it out with a grunge brush.

what do you guys suggest.

Singlespeed92

When I have a similar amount of cleaning needed,I have this Pedros Kit Pit (no link,sorry,they still sell it,but had mine for years) with brushes and such just for cleaning those areas,I fill the bucket,and wash it all down good,then make sure everything's all dried and well maintained (lubed).

I mean,a full detail job. I don't normally do that so often but when I get the grunge you describe,yeah. Never had an issue with premature wear,just be thorough,and do it with love. My 2 cents,anyhow

mopartodd

I let it dry and remove the big chunks by hand, then follow-up like singlespeed92.

chibibike

what I do is get a bowl of soapy water and a rag and I wash whatever looks dirty and I rub any dirtiness and squeeze the soapy water in the cogs to make them shiney again. I have white bar tape so I gets dark smudges on it sometimes from greese and whatever but I take some soap and water and rub it and it comes right now. then I'll dry everything and oil the chain and cogs. I usually just clean the drivetrain and sometimes the handlebar mainly. once in a while the frame will have some greese smudges. Sometimes when the bike is on the rack in the back of the car and I'm driving home it'll rain real hard and all the dirty and everything will be off it and all I'll have to do is dry and oil, I love it when that happens.

chibibike

Germanicus

Thanks everyone.