tips for cleaning bike with mud?
02-12-10, 03:55 PM
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tips for cleaning bike with mud?
I rode my touring bike on my dirt roads and some parts of it had mud. My bike got muddy mostly on the wheels. I think my fenders helped it to not get muddy on the other parts of the bike. How should I clean my bike? How do you clean the gears and other parts around that area? Will water damage the gears? I dont want to mess up my bike by cleaning it wrong.
02-12-10, 04:07 PM
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When I've gotten my MTB good and muddy I start by hosing it down, then I bring out a bucket of hot water, some detergent and a discarded washing up brush and go at it. Then a rinse and then I'm done. When it's dry I might have a go at the chain and such with a rag and some lube. On festive occasions I bring out the cloths, the car wax and the old tootbrush for a more thorough cleaning.
Generally speaking bikes are quite rugged, and as long as you don't go aiming a high-pressure washer straight at bearings you can was them pretty much as you please.
Generally speaking bikes are quite rugged, and as long as you don't go aiming a high-pressure washer straight at bearings you can was them pretty much as you please.
02-12-10, 04:13 PM
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aka Phil Jungels
Rather than use mud, I'd opt for soap and water, along with liberal aplications of a hose.......
02-12-10, 04:20 PM
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Mud is a terrible cleaner. Don't clean your bike with it.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
02-12-10, 05:30 PM
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wait 'till it dries, then dry brush it and wipe with a towel and paper towels. you can get a nice assortment of brushes at grocery stores and hardware stores. keep a couple brushes just for the drive train
if you have to use water - use a spray bottle or some windex. the less water the better.
forced water spray can force water and crude into drivetrain parts which currently do not have that crud embedded in them.
in a pinch you can use a gentle water spray just keep it away from the sealed bearing areas such as bottom bracket and hubs
but seriously - consider the dry brushing idea first - it's very safe for the bike! :-)
if you have to use water - use a spray bottle or some windex. the less water the better.
forced water spray can force water and crude into drivetrain parts which currently do not have that crud embedded in them.
in a pinch you can use a gentle water spray just keep it away from the sealed bearing areas such as bottom bracket and hubs
but seriously - consider the dry brushing idea first - it's very safe for the bike! :-)
02-12-10, 06:33 PM
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soft brush
02-12-10, 07:17 PM
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Even though people advise against it, I never had a problem with hosing it down and then padding it dry with an old towel. Just don't spray directly at any bearings or drivetrain parts. Lube the drivetrain afterward.
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02-12-10, 10:14 PM
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02-12-10, 10:37 PM
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I highly recommend against spraying your bike at even remotely high pressure. Bike's that people spray in order to clean are coined as "car wash bikes" in my shop. Often times, you end up getting the bike to look aesthetically pleasing, but muck up everything. I prefer a toothbrush and a rag.
02-12-10, 10:42 PM
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Also, for the wheels I use a bigger brush (think like a small broom head) on the tires. Dip it in simple green water and get the water all over the top of the tire (I do ~8in segments going from the valve hole). Scrub scrub. Sidewall/rim. Scrub. Turn wheel. Dip in simple green water. Repeat.
