Homebrew01

That's bad ??
Ya see, the crud builds up, but it's just sitting off to the side not hurting anybody.

Dan333SP

Completely OT, but that guy is a dead ringer for Ed Helms from The Office/The Hangover ect.

GlennR

It doesn't hurt me.

I take pride in riding a clean bike, it makes me feel good and I do use it. I got it about a year ago and put 4000 miles on it since. It does have a few scratches and nicks, but that from use.

I also restore vintage VWs. Here's the engine in my 74, yes its clean, but it has 40,000 miles since I built it.


My daily driver is a 01 Civic that I haven't washed in 2 years, has 250,000 miles, almost every body panel had a send or mark, but it still gets the job done.

It just proves i'm not OCD.

gregf83 

Correct, it's from an Office episode.

ncbikerdude

I always wipe down my bike after every ride. I also do a regular cleaning every few weeks. I enjoy keeping my bikes looking good. I see no problem with treating your stuff with care.

indyfabz

What's the best chain lube?

Gweedo1

I think that the more intimately one engages his ride, and the more that ride produces pleasurable feelings, the greater the degree of care that is lavished on it to keep those pleasurable feelings flowing.

A bicycle is such a ride, as is a motorcycle. Because one "interfaces" with both in an intimate fashion, compared to a car, i.e. legs wrapped around it while mounted on a saddle, (not a seat) feet precariously on pedals/pegs, (not a floor) with hands not only wrapped around grips but also interacting with shifting and braking actions, (as opposed to just gripping a wheel) all while being placed in/being a part of the environment (as opposed to travelling through it in a chamber) along with much more responsive feedback from handling inputs, and at times thrilling acceleration, it only makes sense that you will maintain those vehicles to a higher degree since you are more invested emotionally, and the return on investment, as it were, usually comes with a more than modest profit. So.... you are not anal, you are protecting your investment, and helping to secure a long lasting, pleasurable relationship/experience. That makes you smart.

Vicegrip

Cleaning is mostly water hose off the big chunks of dirt, mud and road grit after a rainy ride while the bike and rider are still wet. Blow the bike and chain dry with compressed air if I am inclined and re-lube the chain before the next ride.

PM is air pressure checks, brake pad and tire inspection every other day or as needed. Chain lube as needed. DI2 battery charge as needed. Once every 500 miles or so/ 2 weeks the bike goes on the stand for an inspection and check up. Clean out the brake pads with the wheels off, check the moving parts and brake cables, clean out the RD wheels, clean out the cassette, lube up the chain and just look the bike over.

I have found that with modern bikes many things simply wear out before the fail from lack of maint. Chains and to a lesser extent RD wheels are the exception. Chains under the conditions I ride in (mid atlantic weather) need care or they will fail in short order. Chain PM is cheap and extends service life. Cables are another point of care but with coated cables and liners I find the tend to fail at pinch points rather than from maint related issues. I swapped out the brake cables after a year and 8000 miles on the Tarmac and they were fine. Figured they had to be worn at some unseen point but was wrong.

wphamilton

You have to clean the spokes every once in awhile or they'll get noisy. Especially if you have a bunch of them, but I'm guessing that a $1000 wheelset probably doesn't very many.

I wonder how many times a brass nipple can be polished before the tiny torques add up to alter the spoke tension, if only by a small amount? I'd be careful to polish in both directions, to try to minimize that.

cycledogg

A clean bike is a happy bike.

andr0id

My toolbox is not full of muddy, greasy sockets and screw drivers either.
They all get wiped down after use.

surgeonstone

Well I have my bike which I purchased in 1976, still my primary ride and in perfect condition. I have never, however, felt a need to polish the nipples.

colnago62

I clean my bike often based on mileage and weather. After riding in the rain, I will clean the bike to clean off the sand and other abrasives material that the bike collects when it rains. Other than that, every 150-200 miles.

bakes1

Yes, you appear to be extremely anal.
There is a huge difference between basic/preventative maintenance and over zealous cleaning/polishing.
The first is important and can save you some money/work down the road. The second is purely mental and aesthetics.
Whatever floats your boat though. It's all good

CeeDotA

This is what I do.

Doge

For most Rock N roll gold. Trying to start a fight?

Miele Man

for me it depends on my bike.

I have a recently arrived used Dura Ace AX groupset that's going onto a modified MIELE columbus SL frame. That groupset will get polished back to its original luster and will be very well maintained. It will be the JEWEL of my collection - a Show Bicycle. It will also be a fair weather bicycle.

Just remember this. Whenever you polish metal you're removing a very thin layer of it. Sometimes too MUCH maintenance is as bad or even worse than no maintenance.

Then again, some bicyclists love their bicycle steeds as much as some equestrians love their noble steeds and delight in grooming them and keeping them in peak condition for the show ring.

Cheers

f4rrest

I actually prefer the road grime patina.
Bike only gets washed after a wet ride (and blown out with compressed air).

Mechanically, however, it's lubed and adjusted for perfectly quiet and smooth operation.

OldTryGuy

My wipe down after every ride IS my cleaning. Nothing overlooked. I don't polish the nipples but do tweak them every so often just for the halibut.

indyfabz

That is the worst lube I have ever used. Many people on BF have said the same.

c_bake

I never wash my bike. However, I do look forward to Spring when it thaws out.

2manybikes

I check the tires and clean the bike if it has no fenders after every ride or two. That's about 100 to 150 miles. Have not had a flat in a few thousand miles. Occasionally I pull something out of a tire that might go more into the tire if left alone.
I've learned that bikes with good fenders and a proper mudguard that just about hits the ground can go much longer when it comes to cleaning, especially the chain.

Wanderer

I like the sparkle of clean spokes! Too bad they are black on my Sirrus, but the Crosstrail is pretty in the sun.