Cleaning Advice after riding?
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Cleaning Advice after riding?
So i bought a Gary Fisher Pirhana yesterday and took it for its maiden voyage tonight. So it got really muddy. I was wondering the best way to clean the bike after a ride? Can or should I hose it and wipe it down?
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Don't clean it...you're going riding again tomorrow right?
Seriously, all I do is wait for stuff to dry a bit and then brush it off. I use a different brush for the drivetrain. Once that's clean I apply a generous amount of chain lube, shift through all the gears, then hold a rag to the chain and pedal to remove the excess chain lube. If I really want to get the bike clean I'll bucket wash it but I don't recommend spraying it with a hose.
Seriously, all I do is wait for stuff to dry a bit and then brush it off. I use a different brush for the drivetrain. Once that's clean I apply a generous amount of chain lube, shift through all the gears, then hold a rag to the chain and pedal to remove the excess chain lube. If I really want to get the bike clean I'll bucket wash it but I don't recommend spraying it with a hose.
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I never understood not spraying a bike with a hose. Sure, don't spray the fork seals, hubs and bb, and it's pretty much pointless to spray the drivetrain unless it's covered in mud, but otherwise, spray away. I guarantee you won't hurt your frame with a garden hose. Finish up with a bucket and rag/sponge/whatever. Towel dry unless taking it somewhere by car, then the ride on the rack will dry it.
Always relube after a wash, or a wet or muddy ride. But that goes without saying, right?
Always relube after a wash, or a wet or muddy ride. But that goes without saying, right?
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If you have a halfway decent bike it should have sealed bearings so water shouldn't hurt it. The worse that will happen is you'll cause your brake and shifter lines to rust up faster than normal. I spray the entire bike down with a hose.
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Spray away.
If a garden hose if going to hurt your frame... you need to reconsider your hardware.
I don't get the whole fear of spraying either.
Just ride it dirty. I know people who spend more time washing their bikes than riding them.
Eeeew.. just, eeeew..
If a garden hose if going to hurt your frame... you need to reconsider your hardware.
I don't get the whole fear of spraying either.
Just ride it dirty. I know people who spend more time washing their bikes than riding them.
Eeeew.. just, eeeew..
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Originally Posted by nremondelli
Can or should I hose it and wipe it down?
Typically the only thing I do to clean is over-lube the chain and wipe off excess with a rag.
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last summer when i got my new bike was cleaning it thoroughly after every ride, then i noticed i was cleaning it every day, and going through soap, simple green, wd-40, and bike lube like nobody's business. now i just check it over and see if there's anything that needs cleaned. usually just some stick's and leaves need picked out of the R. Der and/or spokes; the drivetrain might need a wd-40>scrub>wd-40>scrub>rinse>bike lube treatment, but other than that it hasn't been cleaned in a year or so.
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Originally Posted by JiggyNS
Does anything else need lube other than chain and surrounding parts?
How about the shocks?
How about the shocks?
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Originally Posted by RIC0
If you have a halfway decent bike it should have sealed bearings so water shouldn't hurt it.
Don't believe me? Here's a few other people
https://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/bikewash.htm
https://binghamcyclery.com/page.cfm?PageID=71
https://www.ehow.com/how_2021407_wash-your-bicycle.html (use the hose, but low pressure only)
https://www.krankdirtwear.com/mountai...ng-clothes-nz/ (use hose to rinse, but states not to spray directly into the bearing)
https://www.bike-habit.com/tips/?category=1 This one's a bit silly "chasing your bearings"
https://bwbc.bfn.org/CleanYourBike.htm (light dowsing, no high pressure, not directly into the bearings)
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Originally Posted by probable556
The only useful part of that thread was the discussion on the best smelling chain lubes
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Originally Posted by Oleanshoebox
pee on it