Huvi

Hi there,

What do you do with your bike after you have been out riding in (extremely) rainy weather? Any special things you pay attention to next to the usual cleaning? I am curious for some interesting hints...

Thanks
K.

skiracing

I use one of those heat guns to dry it off... just joking. I'd like to know too.

Alex

Scooper

Here are some tips from the Waterford Owners Manual (steel frames):

- Wax your frame prior to assembly with a NON-ABRASIVE breathable liquid wax such as Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #7 or Carnuba Wax during the initial three month paint cure period. After the cure period you'll get better protection from a non-breatheable wax like Turtle Wax or Nu-Finish (available from better auto stores. Check the label to make sure that the wax is safe for clearcoat finishes).

- Wipe off your frame with a damp cloth after every ride.

- After riding through particularly wet conditions, hose off road dirt with clean water. Hang your bike to allow water to escape drain holes.

- Re-wax as necessary - as much as once a month in corrosive environments (such as in areas with heavy salt air). After the first three months from the most recent paint job, use a non-breathable wax for high protection.

- Touch-up scratches soon after they appear (see below).

- Internal treatments such as Framesaver(TM) last for two years or more. Inspect the inside surfaces or your frame as much as possible during your annual overhaul to determine whether re-treatment is needed.
Do not plug drain holes. (Refer to the explanation in the initial prep section).

unbelievably

I hose it off in the yard and towel it down before it comes in...

johnny99

Most important thing is to get all the grit out of your chain, then re-lube.

ExMachina

I've been known to rinse off the road grime in the shower!

San Rensho 

Spray it with a strong stream of water from the garden hose while the bike is still wet from the ride. Especially hose down the drive train but don't spray directly at bearings.

Let it drip dry, lube chain. You're done.

'nother

I would avoid hoses and pressure of any sort. Too easy to get into bearings and other places you don't want it.

I put some warm water + a small amount of degreaser/detergent (Dawn is great) in a bowl and use a sponge and wipe gently. You may need to go back for globs of dried-on scuzz but it will all eventually come off. I avoid scrubbing or abrasives because I don't want to damage the finish.

After that is a rinse with plain water, then follow up with a wax or something of that nature (I use Nashbar 'Bike Bling') and polish.


That will get the frame looking nice, BUT, the most important bits are really the drivetrain. The main thing is to try to get the grit/sand/scuzz out, then make sure it's all lubed. I usually take this time to inspect cabling, etc. and make any needed minor adjustments to brakes, derailers, etc.

9Rings

Be sure to get some super fluffy terry towels to wipe down your bike. The guest towels will work just fine. Be sure to launder, dry, and get the towels back into the linen closet before the wife notices they're MIA...

langster 2008

garden sprayer and a cloth, then dry with a chamois leather. takes about 4 mins , i brush the derallieur clean and re-lub

kensuf

Sell it on ebay and buy a new one.





All kidding aside, dry it off, wipe off any road grime, lube the moving parts, and put it away.