Lord_Stark

Hello

I am new to road cycling and need some advices from more experienced cyclists.
What do you guys use for cleaning your bike and how often do you clean it?

Can I use a normal Citrus cleaner/degreaser or do I need a special one?

Thanks a lot for your answers

Phil_gretz

Keep the drivetrain clean by lubricating with a penetrating lubricant, then wipe down the drivetrain, paying particular attention to the chain.

For the rest of the bike, unless you're riding in rain or mud, just a wipe down from time to time with a damp cloth or a bit of WD-40 sprayed on a cloth to get sticky stuff off. Keep any slippery stuff away from the brake pads or the sides of the rims. Use ammonia cleaner there, or a bit of vinegar.

Keep it simple.

EDIT: Penetrating lubricant, to me, DOES NOT mean penetrant, like Liquid Wrench or Kerosene, but rather a lubricant meant to flow into the chain's rollers. Just wanted to clarify...

spdracr39

Pretty much like washing the car. Just remember not to point pressured water at any rotating parts ie headset, crankset, hubs ... Dry the drivetrain and blowout water with air then lube, don't lube while wet. I have found that if you have a greasy spot that just won't come clean Magic Erasers are well magic.

series1811

As a general rule, I keep any ammonia based cleaner away from my bike. Aqueous ammonia will react with aluminum and corrode it. A solution of simple green is all I use to wipe down greasy or dirty areas of the bike, followed by a rinse, then dry. I find that wiping down my drive train is usually sufficient. I gave up on all of the chain cleaners and degreasers. I will remove the chain and clean it in a solution of simple green and wayer every 1,000 miles. I install a new chain each spring before the riding season.

JerrySTL

For the frame and fork I use an car wash solution. A couple of times a year I also use Lemon Pledge furniture polish to wax the frame. Makes getting off the dried worms and other dirt easier.

For the most part, I'm not a fan of degreasers. I use WD-40 to 'floss' the cassette with a thin rag. I will use a degreaser like Simple Green on the chain rings when they are really dirty.

Greatestalltime

I use a carberator cleaner on my cassette. No flossing or wiping. Gets it clean as new.

ypsetihw

Use baby wipes on everything with paint. You can also clean the braking surfaces and tires with these. They are cheap, don't have any nasty chemicals, and are SUPER easy to use and it's easy to do a quick wipe whenever you feel like shining it up. DON'T USE WD40 ON THE DRIVETRAIN. Heavy solvents run the risk of drying out the insides of the chain and the residue will ruin new lube that you apply. They also run the risk of damaging some plastics, like those used on your derailleur parts. Use some good lube and just wipe the chain down, if you keep it clean you don't need to use a heavy degreaser ever.

Lord_Stark

Thanks for your answer!
I was in a shop to buy some stuff which I probably can use. But I didn't buy WD40... Really dont knoe what to think about it, a lot of people say you shouldn't use it, but at the same time there are a lot of cyclists which use it.
One product i bought was "1-Step Cleaner & Lubricant" what do you think abt that? and just a bottle normal "bike cleaner"

Lord_Stark

Well... Just finished the first bike "cleaning".
I put way to much lube in the chain, so my bike is probably gonna be much more dirtier than it was before. I completely failed :'D

Is it very bad if I put to much on it for once? I know it works like a "dirt magnet" But how bad is it? ^^

obed7

If you put too much lube on... get a soft cloth and put the bike on a stand... rotate the crank (slowly) while holding the cloth around the chain... move to a clean spot on the cloth and repeat until the cloth comes away "clean".

MileHighMark

For general cleaning duties I use Dawn dishwashing soap, a bucket of hot water, and brushes with natural bristles. Rinse gently and towel dry. Now, if the drivetrain is really gross, I remove the chain and clean it in the appropriate solvent/degreaser (usually mineral spirits). With the chain off I'll clean the cogs and chainrings with something like WD-40 Bike cleaner/degreaser, but diluted citrus degreaser is fine, too.

fietsbob

Bike stand makes it easier .. take the wheels off stuff someting in the rear dropout to drape the chain over

bucket of soapy water rags, brushes and work is the scheme .. pro team mechanics do it every evening for the season's length.

Dawn dish detergent gets used to scrub off the Ducks and Gulls after Oil catastrophes like the Gulf coast .

MileHighMark

Aye. Works like a charm.

Lord_Stark

Okey thanks guys

Sounds more simple that it is I hope next time I wont fail like today, isn't that hard actually lol
Great to get so many answers and help here in the forum. I am glad that I registered myself here on Bike Forums.