Spraying off your expensive road bike?
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Spraying off your expensive road bike?
Is it OK to run a hose over your bike to clean off dirt etc. that has built up? By spray I mean run water over your bike, not high pressure hosing down. Thanks!
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Yes... soap & water first to clean, plain water to rinse...
https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=85
https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=85
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Absolutely OK. I hear you can even ride them in the rain!
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Crap no, don't do it!
Wipe it down with Windex. Windex works for everything. Then polish it with Pedro's Bike Lust.
If you have chunks of dirt on it (and why would you? It's a road bike) then brush it off with a brush with soft plastic bristles.
Wipe it down with Windex. Windex works for everything. Then polish it with Pedro's Bike Lust.
If you have chunks of dirt on it (and why would you? It's a road bike) then brush it off with a brush with soft plastic bristles.
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I use the hose its fast and easy. I also got what looks like a giant toothbrush from walmart for $1.88 it works better than a real toothbrush cuz the bristles are longer. just make sure you get it dry and lube it up good afterward.
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If you have an air compressor in the garage, using a blow off nozzle to clear of the dust and then wiping down with windex works great.
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Unless it's carbon... in which case it will explode. ;-)
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Originally Posted by kirkcubs
Unless it's carbon... in which case it will explode. ;-)
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Originally Posted by whalen83
I use the hose its fast and easy. I also got what looks like a giant toothbrush from walmart for $1.88 it works better than a real toothbrush cuz the bristles are longer. just make sure you get it dry and lube it up good afterward.
Old paint brush is good for getting into nooks and crannies. Car wash soap is reputed to be more mild than dish washing liquid. I usually use diluted Simple Green (yes I know it's not recommended for use on aluminum). Rinse well with hose - gets sweat salt out of things like cable stops which would not come out by wiping alone.
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Originally Posted by pinetreeforest1
Is it OK to run a hose over your bike to clean off dirt etc. that has built up? By spray I mean run water over your bike, not high pressure hosing down. Thanks!
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Originally Posted by Nessism
Old paint brush is good for getting into nooks and crannies. Car wash soap is reputed to be more mild than dish washing liquid. I usually use diluted Simple Green (yes I know it's not recommended for use on aluminum). Rinse well with hose - gets sweat salt out of things like cable stops which would not come out by wiping alone.
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And don't forget to blow your nuts.
Ahh, I mean, dry out your 4/5mm screws - seatposts, brakes, etc. They will hold water and rust if left. Give it a quick blow to dry it out or use a q-tip.
Ahh, I mean, dry out your 4/5mm screws - seatposts, brakes, etc. They will hold water and rust if left. Give it a quick blow to dry it out or use a q-tip.
Last edited by SaddleBags; 07-06-07 at 05:34 AM.
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I would be a bit more gentle on the painted frame that using those brushes park tool uses. Let the product do the work.
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Originally Posted by botto
a new paint brush does the trick as well.
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Originally Posted by Dead Extra #2
You're awfully wordy today.
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I wipe the bike down with End Dust. For tires and the stuck on stuff I use a water damp rag.