How do you clean your bike(s)?
06-20-09, 05:52 PM
#1
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How do you clean your bike(s)?
How do you clean your bike(s)?
Please share your secrets.
Thanks
J.
Please share your secrets.
Thanks
J.
06-20-09, 05:56 PM
#2
I ain't no newbie
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Just did it today because of a 20 miler in the rain. Sponge, bottle brush, soapy water, light rinse, air hose blow dry to get water out of brakes and derailleurs. Light car wax follows along with oiling.
06-20-09, 06:10 PM
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well hello there
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Baby wipes. But my next clean might entail taking off and cleaning the chain. I got caught in the rain for about 25 miles today.
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06-20-09, 06:12 PM
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Soap and water... park tool chain cleaner and cassette/RD brush... a few rags... ready to ride. There is no secret in how to wash a bike.
Instructions for the washing impaired:
https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=85
Instructions for the washing impaired:
https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=85
06-20-09, 06:44 PM
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06-20-09, 06:46 PM
#6
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I learned this one from a fellow BF member, Robbie Tunes. I wipe it down with a rag sprayed with WD-40. Works great at cutting any grease on the surfaces.
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06-20-09, 06:58 PM
#7
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If I am just dusting or getting sweat off, Pledge. Same on the tires.
More detailed cleaning is degreasing the drive train and cleaning the chain with a Park chain washer. Soapy water, dried with a grooming blower and re-lube. If I don't have time to dry it, I spray the chain with WD-40 to displace the water, then re-lube before the next ride.
More detailed cleaning is degreasing the drive train and cleaning the chain with a Park chain washer. Soapy water, dried with a grooming blower and re-lube. If I don't have time to dry it, I spray the chain with WD-40 to displace the water, then re-lube before the next ride.
06-20-09, 07:07 PM
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- Paper towels & Simple Green, and chainlube. That's it.
This is good enough for all non-disassembly cleaning tasks, and can be done quickly enough that you can do it with no problem after virtually every ride.
For deep cleans, you'll have to start taking some stuff off, and it gets a bit more complicated. Still, if you do the minimal above often, you'll have to do a deep clean only a few times a year for optimal performance. Plus, you'll always be riding a hot-looking bike.
This is good enough for all non-disassembly cleaning tasks, and can be done quickly enough that you can do it with no problem after virtually every ride.
For deep cleans, you'll have to start taking some stuff off, and it gets a bit more complicated. Still, if you do the minimal above often, you'll have to do a deep clean only a few times a year for optimal performance. Plus, you'll always be riding a hot-looking bike.
06-20-09, 07:07 PM
#9
Senior Member
Normal: Pledge wipes.
After riding in the rain: put in stand, pull wheels, rinse, spray Simple Green on everything and brush with a foam brush, rinse off, dry with rags, clean wheels the same way, install wheels, relube.
After riding in the rain: put in stand, pull wheels, rinse, spray Simple Green on everything and brush with a foam brush, rinse off, dry with rags, clean wheels the same way, install wheels, relube.
06-20-09, 07:15 PM
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I give it to our gardener who cleans and lubes it. I haven't taught him how to adjust it yet though.
06-20-09, 07:25 PM
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I have a crabon bike.
To clean the frame: Bike Lust.
To clean the chain: a chain cleaner thingy with Simple Green.
To clean the ders: WD-40.
To clean the rims: rubbing alcohol.
I think that's it.
My LBS dudes told me that you never really have to douse your bike in water, that you can dry clean everything. It seems to work. Someone told me my 2 year old bike looked brand new. I was so proud.
To clean the frame: Bike Lust.
To clean the chain: a chain cleaner thingy with Simple Green.
To clean the ders: WD-40.
To clean the rims: rubbing alcohol.
I think that's it.
My LBS dudes told me that you never really have to douse your bike in water, that you can dry clean everything. It seems to work. Someone told me my 2 year old bike looked brand new. I was so proud.
06-20-09, 07:31 PM
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I keep all my worn out cotton socks in an old pillow case. Since I only have Titanium bikes, I use Weinman stainless steel lightly sprayed on a sock worn as a glove. Helps me easily wipe off any dirt and grime. For the chain, Park chain cleaner with generic orange clean.
06-20-09, 07:33 PM
#14
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degrease drive train->power wash->dry->lube drive train. Takes ~5 minutes.
I do it after nearly every ride, sometimes clean it by hand but that takes too much time, I'd rather be riding... with a sparkling cassette and chain.
I do it after nearly every ride, sometimes clean it by hand but that takes too much time, I'd rather be riding... with a sparkling cassette and chain.
06-20-09, 07:36 PM
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Remove and degrease, clean, and relube drivetrain. Wipe bike down with a damp cloth, clean braking surfaces and pads.
06-21-09, 06:54 AM
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06-21-09, 07:59 AM
#20
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Degrease drivetrain.
Wash frame, wheels, seatpost with whatever soap is available (typicallywhatever I use for the car)
Use hose or bucket to rinse
Dry up
Wax frame with car wax (makes me more aerodynamic?
)
Lube up
Wash frame, wheels, seatpost with whatever soap is available (typicallywhatever I use for the car)
Use hose or bucket to rinse
Dry up
Wax frame with car wax (makes me more aerodynamic?
)Lube up
06-21-09, 08:11 AM
#21
ah.... sure.
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Damn.......................... I know what I need to do today.
06-21-09, 01:23 PM
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also use a paint brush or anything with long bristles to get in and around the calipers and derailleurs... gets the dust and loose dirt out before it accumulates into thicker gunk. pledge for the frame. and any kind of citrus degreaser for the chain.
06-21-09, 01:24 PM
#25
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Awesome or similar product on paper towels for the frame.
Parktool chain cleaner with organic cleaner for the chain.
Nashbar foaming organic cleaner for the FD and RD and Cassette.
Dry lube on the chain, cassette and lollipops.
Kiss it goodnight.
Parktool chain cleaner with organic cleaner for the chain.
Nashbar foaming organic cleaner for the FD and RD and Cassette.
Dry lube on the chain, cassette and lollipops.
Kiss it goodnight.