Beginners: How to wash your bike [Archive] - Bikes Move Us

Justin Fox

04-12-08, 09:36 AM

Here's a simple guide (please add to it if I've missed anyrthing or if I'm doing something wrong!).

I used to wash my Reign after EVERY ride but these days I only wash it after particularly muddy rides.

Here's what I do:

- As soon as I get home I take off my riding shoes as I don't want to get them wet and put on some thongs. ;)

- I hose the entire bike down with a normal hose (DO NOT use a high pressure hose). I then flip the bike upside down and continue to hose it.

- I use a citrus based cleaner (orange cleaner) which I buy from the local supermarket. I spray it on everywhere and hose the bike down again as well as brush off any chunky mud and dirt with a special bike brush cleaning set (but you can use any brush really).

- I wipe the bike dry with a big towel (make sure it's one you're happy to trash!).

- I have a chain cleaning tool to clean the chain. Simply fill up to the line with degreaser, whack it around the chain and pedal backwards (with your hands) to clean the chain. I then use a rag to wipe the chain dry and then I lube the chain.

http://www.ykkbikes.com/files/pro-brush-tool.jpg
Bicycle brush set.

http://media.rei.com/media/179390.jpg
Bicycle chain cleaning tool, degreaser and chain lube, usually sold as a kit.

singletrack

04-12-08, 10:52 AM

Holy moley you are a proactive man! I leave mine as is and lube the chain if has been very wet- otherwise i lube and wipe and re-lube before each ride...

I then spend time giving the bikes a good clean every few months if they are lucky. I take the oppourtunity to check them over during this clean for loose bolts, cracks etc etc. I also notice how munted my bikes are becoming :(

Interestingly, I use a brush set which is fantastic! and good old washing up liquid in hot water :D Brilliant.

Why do i not wash everytime? Wll i've found that parts last longer is they are not made wet and soapy constantly..... oh and i can't be arsed :D

Jing

04-12-08, 11:06 AM

i usually clean my chain every 3 rides or after a very wet ride.

Other than that i try to hose down my bike when i get home when the dirt is fresh so it comes off easily. After that i usually go for a ride around the block to shake some of the water off before wiping it with a dry cloth.

Try and hose in between the back of the calipers to get any grit/sand accumulating between your pads and rotors out. This not only saves your rotor it also gets ride of most annoying squeeking noises.

TOU93

04-12-08, 04:18 PM

Is car wash safe to use on bikes?

singletrack

04-12-08, 05:36 PM

Is car wash safe to use on bikes?

No mate not at all. I'm assuming you mean a jet wash? not where you drive in? :p Either one is bad though due to high pressures and the bearings becoming bad due to the seals/ grease being compromised.

TOU93

04-12-08, 06:51 PM

nah, i was just talking about car wash fluid, like i use meguiars Gold Class for my cars, i was wondering if that stuff was safe.

singletrack

04-12-08, 07:00 PM

ahh ok :) i've used car shampoo- works great! Maybe the wax found in in though could cause some issues on the disks? I don't really know.

TOU93

04-12-08, 07:17 PM

cheers, that's what i thought.

ukalipt

04-12-08, 11:56 PM

you can use CT18 to clean your bike. it gets rid of grease etc.
i ALWAYS clean my bike after a ride. every time. my bike lives
inside so it isn't ideal to bring it in with sand and crap on it.
management already has a chip on her shoulder about my bikes.
i also really like to inspect the bike for any "issues". about 2 rides ago
whilst cleaning carbo i found i had at some point hammered the chain
into a rock?? something and it had seriously bent link. i broke the chain
and replaced it with a powerlink. if i hadn't found it i am sure i would
have snapped the chain which very rarely is a pleasant experience.

i've also read that pedros (http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/Extras/pedros/bike-lust/PRD_359197_117crx.aspx) bike lust is a great finisher. it's a silicon
spray & makes it really easy to wash down the next time.
its also meant to give the bike a shinny finish. i havent tried it personally.

you can use a car polish on bikes. just not a cut style that is designed to
take a layer off and "restore" the paint.

Nath.

05-12-08, 08:49 AM

I've got to get me one of those brush kits, at the moment I'm using an electric tooth brush (seriously). I usually mix car wash with a bucket of warm water, and then after I'm done a use a protective car cleaning spray (kinda like silicon spray) and wipe it on.

singletrack

05-12-08, 09:11 AM

I've often thought of using car polish on the Cove frame as it looks shit being matte black (light scratching ofter cleaning etc). I think adding some polish helps shed mud etc over the wetter months too.

When it comes to the Coves new paintjob- maybe next year- i think i'll go gloss sky blue.... lovely! I think i've had my "black" stage :D

DANNY

16-12-08, 03:19 PM

Hey Justin you know that chain cleaning tool? Do you need to remove the chain from the bike or can you still use it with the chain on?

Justin Fox

16-12-08, 03:34 PM

No you leave the chain on, push the cleaning tool downwards toward the ground and pedal backwards to clean it.

supertight

16-12-08, 03:48 PM

coasting through a big puddle at the end of the ride seems to work nicely and fun too :)

DANNY

16-12-08, 04:38 PM

No you leave the chain on, push the cleaning tool downwards toward the ground and pedal backwards to clean it.

Awesome! Definately next thing on the list buy, just need to figure out where to get me one those :D

MrThanh

17-12-08, 07:45 PM

Awesome! Definately next thing on the list buy, just need to figure out where to get me one those :D

torpedo7 have them http://torpedo7.com.au/products/UNLULNNSC

noodleman

17-12-08, 08:40 PM

yeah i got mine from t7....should arrive in the next few days

DANNY

17-12-08, 09:04 PM

Cool thanks MrThanh, I'll definately check it out!

Chrisso

17-12-08, 09:06 PM

High pressure is not a complete no-no. Just not near any area of the bike that has a moving part. It wont destroy powdercoating or anodising. IE careful use on frames, rims, tyres.

Tim

18-12-08, 06:10 PM

Sorry if someone has already said this. After your bike is clean spray it VERY lightly in silicon spray and then wipe the bike down, or spray it onto a cloth and wipe down the entire bike being careful to keep it away from disc brakes. I prefer spraying it onto a rag and wiping on just so theres no chance of accidentally giving the discs a spray.
Not only does it give the bike an awesome shine (also works as tyre black:D) but next time the bike gets dirty the dirt comes off SO much easier. Wipe it down with a rag and its clean again.

Only downside is that dust sticks to the silicon spray hence putting it on really thin. Worth it though for how easy it makes the bike to clean IMO.

Many people on here silicon spray their bikes?

Dittmar

22-12-08, 10:20 AM

coasting through a big puddle at the end of the ride seems to work nicely and fun too :)

lol

ukalipt

22-12-08, 10:37 AM

Many people on here silicon spray their bikes?

i don't but i am keen to. what brands are you using?
i know pedros do the bike lust but it isn't readily avaliable in most bike stores.
have you got any suggestions ... maybe something from supercheap/autobarn?

LordOnOne

23-12-08, 02:24 AM

I haven’t washed my bike in 3 weeks, starting to wonder if there is a bike under all that mud actually…:D

I hose the bike off, obviously making sure not to directly spray the pivots and hubs etc, use a brush to get the stuff off that the hose can’t and then dry the bike off with a towel. I'll use washing-up liquid if I want to get the bike really clean.

This was the Cannondale after just 1 ride in relatively dry conditions...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/3125216325_73308c1139_b.jpg

elim

13-01-09, 10:08 AM

Justin, do you clean the disc brakes ? If so, how ?

I feel like mine is suffering from brake fade.

singletrack

13-01-09, 12:14 PM

ukalipt

13-01-09, 12:48 PM

i get a little obsessive over things.
i really like my bikes to be ultra clean every ride
i feel much better as a person if they are.

Justin Fox

13-01-09, 01:47 PM

Justin, do you clean the disc brakes ? If so, how ?
I feel like mine is suffering from brake fade.
I don't.

i get a little obsessive over things.
i really like my bikes to be ultra clean every ride
i feel much better as a person if they are.
That's cause your bikes are still so new :)

lone-rider

13-01-09, 11:15 PM

i get a little obsessive over things.
i really like my bikes to be ultra clean every ride
i feel much better as a person if they are.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I understand, the cleaner my house the happier and less stressed I am.

Riding on road all the time and single speed, I don't wash my bike. I clean it with a cloth and some Mr Sheen. Toothbrush on the chain and wipe down, then lube. Will get one of those chain cleaners though when I get a new chain.

LordOnOne

14-01-09, 04:11 AM

Yeah, up until this year I think I had a little OCD going on with excessive cleaning. After 6 weeks of dirt I finally cracked on Sunday and gave the bike a good cleaning. I wish I hadn’t now, I found a bunch of scratches, the FSA headset doesn’t feel to good and a tiny patch of paint on my fork has started corroding.

BRAKES:
I occasionally wash my Hayes brakes with water and washing up liquid but much like proper disc brake cleaner and all that alcohol stuff people use it doesn’t always work well with different disc brakes. Hayes and Avid seem to be pretty resilient to washing up liquid but I know for a fact that Shimano organic pads are worthless if you get it anywhere near them and you can get a wide range of side effects on many other brakes too. Apparently one of the best solutions is to burn the dirt off the disc and pads but I’ve never tried that. You might try getting some glass paper and doing the pads so they can break in again or even get some new pads. None of these methods are 100% for every brake so you just have to try one but firstly take your pads out and have a little look to see if the pads have glazed or something. If your using small 160-80mm rotors then you might try the 200mm rotors as they pretty much stop brake fade unless you ride in the Alps.

MrThanh

15-01-09, 03:44 PM

how well would automotive brake cleaner work? has anyone tried?

elim

18-02-09, 11:08 AM

Rust prevention, any tips ? My chain is starting to show surface rust even. I always relube the chain after a clean.

LordOnOne

18-02-09, 11:23 AM

More lube or a longer lasting lube, I use Purple Extreme dry lube which lasts very well on geared bikes, though nothing lasts that well in 20miles of mud.

Rkds

22-08-09, 08:16 PM

going to wash my bike on friday
are the bmu stickers good at hacking a bit of a srub?
or just avoid it.

will need to buy some lube first.

any other places need lube?

and do you spray the cleaner on the chain as well if you dont have a chain cleaner

singletrack

22-08-09, 08:37 PM

Rust prevention, any tips ? My chain is starting to show surface rust even. I always relube the chain after a clean.

i tend to not worry that much about it- relube- wipe- go ride

bsa kid

24-08-09, 11:53 PM

for a bit of a kick start I find these really helpful

http://www.jetblackproducts.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1792/.f

I use the two I got from work for motorbikes and push bikes they really are a great bit of kit to have (even if it's not the best lube it's a good start)

for the melbourne and some queenslanders you can get them from your local goldcross (shameless plug)

Singlespeeder

08-09-09, 10:32 PM

Check out "How to wash your Bike Video : http://blog.cyclingsales.com.au/?p=242

- or go to CyclingSales.com.au (http://www.cyclingsales.com.au)& click on the Cycling Videos!

Garth

09-09-09, 01:39 PM

i love this thread. Thanks for the insight guys!

Sven

09-09-09, 07:22 PM

crank

09-09-09, 08:54 PM

as i live right on the coast my bits get rusty pretty quick, i try and wash and lube my bikes pretty regularly even if i havent ridden it. my nipples seem to get salty(oh the visuals!) so i gotta keep wiping them with chain lube or wd.

Interesting. Alloy nipples? Have you tried a wheel build with brass nipples to see if it makes any difference?

Sven

10-09-09, 06:10 PM

no i havent bothered with brass nips or anything, i just figured if i keep em clean and healthy they should be ok. my old cannondale had this problem which i only found out when i went to change some spokes, the nipples just crumbled into dust! is brass heavier btw?