Search
Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Cleaning bicycle?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-07-21 | 02:14 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Woking Surrey UK

Bikes: mountain bike specialized

Cleaning bicycle?

Anyone can tell, what is a good product for cleaning a bicycle? I did use washing up the liquid mix with water. Thanks.
ljuboklc is offline  
Reply
Old 09-07-21 | 03:03 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 302
From: location location

Bikes: MBK Super Mirage 1991, CAAD10, Yuba Mundo Lux, and a Cannondale Criterium Single Speed

That’s what I use. Wd40 works well to get some stubborn grease/oil stains off paintwork. And a good set of brushes.
Leinster is offline  
Reply
Old 09-07-21 | 04:56 AM
  #3  
indyfabz's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 45,393
Likes: 23,565
Dawn & warm water.
indyfabz is offline  
Reply
Old 09-07-21 | 05:17 AM
  #4  
JohnDThompson's Avatar
Old fart
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,401
Likes: 5,333
From: Appleton WI

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Dish detergent with water, in a spray bottle. Wipe off with clean rags. Use OMS on stubborn tar or grease.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Reply
Old 09-07-21 | 07:13 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,689
Likes: 2,609
From: northern Deep South

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

+1 for Dawn and a bucket of water.

I've posted this link before, and Lon's method works great:

Two notes: FIrst, the brush he calls out is still the only one I've seen that doesn't collect grease and grime. I ordered mine from Home Depot a while back.

Second, Lon gently corrected me on the chain sequence. Wipe the chain down with a dry rag, and re-lube before washing the rest of the bike. This means the fresh lube doesn't hold wash water inside the chain.

pdlamb is offline  
Reply
Old 09-07-21 | 07:28 AM
  #6  
Shawn of the Dead
 
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 578
Likes: 450
Unless its super dirty I hit it with a spray detailer I use on my motorcycles. I spray it until wet, wipe off with a clean microfiber and then buff it out. If it is way dirty then dawn or the like before hand. I also have a park cyclone chain cleaner I use and I "floss" the cassette with a shop towel and it works great to get the gunk from between the cogs.
Rdmonster69 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-07-21 | 08:33 AM
  #7  
Milton Keynes's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 1,950

Bikes: Trek 1100, Raleigh R-500, Cannondale R800, Roadmaster gravel/beater mountain bike

I just use Simple Green or something like that. Last night I used household cleaner to clean up the frame of my old bike which I'm putting back together. It had been stored in a shed and got quite dirty. Just the kitchen cleaner and a rag cleaned it up nicely.
Milton Keynes is offline  
Reply
Old 09-07-21 | 09:05 AM
  #8  
Iride01's Avatar
Facts just confuse people
Titanium Club Membership
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,368
Likes: 7,076
From: Mississippi

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

I just use those pre-moistened towels that come in a big tub or container. Pretty much any will do, I just buy what ever is available where ever I happen to be when I remember that I need more.

I haven't had need to spray off a bike since my kids grew up and quit riding in the mud.

Wiping a bike off has gotten much easier since they started doing more internal cable routing.
Iride01 is online now  
Reply
Old 09-07-21 | 10:02 PM
  #9  
NoWhammies's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 513
From: Pacific Northwest

Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70

I really like the Muc Off pink bike cleaner. Does a good job on our road and mountain bikes.
NoWhammies is offline  
Reply
Old 09-07-21 | 11:15 PM
  #10  
zandoval's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,626
Likes: 2,497
From: Bastrop Texas

Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites

After cleaning the chain with ATF I hit the bike with the hose, fair pressure, water only. If its really dirty with sticky mud or clay then I use laundry detergent with a soft long bristled brush like a 4" paint brush. After getting the dirt off I hit the bike with my leaf blower and blow all the residual water off of it. Then I spray the entire bike with Armorall Tire Foam (brand specific). I get the foam on every thing. I then take dry clean rags and wipe it all off. The Armorall Tire Foam treats all parts of the bike well and gets along with metal, plastic and cloth. It also leaves a thin layer of protection on the surface. After wiping off all the tire foam carefully oil the chain and other spots.

I have tried using other tire foams and have found them not as friendly with my rattle can paint jobs, or that they leave a heavy layer of silicone on the surfaces. The Armorall Tire Foam has been the best.
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
zandoval is offline  
Reply
Old 09-08-21 | 06:19 AM
  #11  
Reflector Guy's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,466
Likes: 1,416
From: Chicago

Bikes: Bianchi Infinito XE, Via Nirone 7, GT Aggressor Pro

My bike doesn't get very dirty, just dusty from the bike path. Dilute Simple Green and a spray of water at low pressure cleans it up nice.

Last time I cleaned it, I applied a ceramic coating from Mother's afterward, which came in a little spray bottle, and I applied it with a cloth to all painted surfaces. If it works as advertised the wash water will rinse away all the dust super easy.
Reflector Guy is offline  
Reply
Old 09-09-21 | 03:46 PM
  #12  
epnnf's Avatar
Full Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 482
Likes: 139
From: SW Ohio

Bikes: 2025 Surly Orge, 2026 Trek Verve 3

I dont clean my bikes, but drivetrain, brakes, etc are cleaned every ride.
epnnf is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.