Cleaning a dirty bike.

[allen-uk]

Now, this really IS a beginner's question.

Riding round local park paths in this weather has left bike muddy and spattered. I'm not over-bothered with shiney appearance, but as the chain has also copped some mud, what's the best way to tackle it?

Do I just chuck a bucket of soapy water at it, then hose it off?

Ta.

Allen.

 

[Cubist]

Your bike needs to be gently hosed to get the worst of the mud off, then washed with car shampoo, washing up liquid or whatever, using a sponge and a nylon brush to get at the stubborn bits. Pay attention to the chain, sprockets and gears and rinse off again by hosing it down gently. Be careful not to squirt high pressure water onto any of the bearings (crank, hubs etc),

Just as important as cleaning the bike is to make sure it's lubricated more or less as soon as you've washed it. The bike needs to be reasonably dry, so you need to "bump" off the excess water, or wipe it off with a dry sponge or chamois. Turn it over and spin the pedals to spin the water off the wheels, gears etc. While you've got the bike upside down turn it to see whether you get any excess water out of the seat post or drain holes in the chainstays.

From here you will get loads of different advice about lubricating, but I use GT85 to spray onto the rear cassette, and onto the front and rear mechs. I also squirt it into the shifters more to displace water than lube them.

I then use Finish Line wet lube for the chain. Put the bike into middle chainwheel, middle gear, and drizzle the oil along the section of the chain available to you. Turn the chain the same length so that a new portion is available to oil, and do this until you've done all the chain. Use a rag to wipe of the excess, again, a section of the chain at a time, then turn the pedals whilst working the shifters so that the newly lubed chain comes into contact with all the sprockets on the cassette.


I won't preach about retaining showroom condition.......

 

[1LegRikk]

I hose it down to get everything wet, then spray the whole bike with fenwicks (much better than muckoff).
While it's soaking in I give the chain a clean with a chain cleaner+de-greaser.
Then I use a soft brush attached to a hosepipe to rinse it off, bounce it a few times to get most of the water off then leave for a couple of hours outside to dry.
Lastly, relube the chain.

 

[BIGSESAL]

You should try and get as much dirt/gravel/salt out of the chain as posssible before you apply lube. Other wise the combo of lube and dirt/gravel/salt will chew through the chainrings fast. I use muc off on the chain and use an old paint brush to get all the dirt/gravel/salt out. Then I relube the chain.

I think bicycletutor has a good video that tells you what lubes to buy.

 

[Ravenz]

the chain has also copped some mud, what's the best way to tackle it?
Allen.

you must do this indoors in the bath with a shower attachment..
no ifs no buts if you live alone , no excuses, if you don't live alone, it's your bike your place.. if you went out all the time fishin' where would you keep your captured perch anyways??

 

[Dave5N]

Do a search. There's at least a thread a week on this.

 

[Noodley]

Do a search. There's at least a thread a week on this.

you old grumpy git.

 

[Dave5N]

I'm not old.

 

[Mortiroloboy]

Your bike needs to be gently hosed to get the worst of the mud off, then washed with car shampoo, washing up liquid or whatever, using a sponge and a nylon brush to get at the stubborn bits. Pay attention to the chain, sprockets and gears and rinse off again by hosing it down gently. Be careful not to squirt high pressure water onto any of the bearings (crank, hubs etc),

Just as important as cleaning the bike is to make sure it's lubricated more or less as soon as you've washed it. The bike needs to be reasonably dry, so you need to "bump" off the excess water, or wipe it off with a dry sponge or chamois. Turn it over and spin the pedals to spin the water off the wheels, gears etc. While you've got the bike upside down turn it to see whether you get any excess water out of the seat post or drain holes in the chainstays.

From here you will get loads of different advice about lubricating, but I use GT85 to spray onto the rear cassette, and onto the front and rear mechs. I also squirt it into the shifters more to displace water than lube them.

I then use Finish Line wet lube for the chain. Put the bike into middle chainwheel, middle gear, and drizzle the oil along the section of the chain available to you. Turn the chain the same length so that a new portion is available to oil, and do this until you've done all the chain. Use a rag to wipe of the excess, again, a section of the chain at a time, then turn the pedals whilst working the shifters so that the newly lubed chain comes into contact with all the sprockets on the cassette.


I won't preach about retaining showroom condition.......

Avoid washing up liquid, keep it for doing dishes, the salts in it will dull your paintwork over time

Excess water in Seat Tube and chainstays?! Just how much water are you using to wash a bike?

Drizzle Oil? are you a chef or summat? put a small drop of your chosen lube onto the roller of each link, then do as you suggest, run the chain over all the sprockets and chainrings, through a cloth until the cloth is vitually oil free.

 

[jimboalee]

Don't let detergents or de-greasing agents go anywhere near your bike.

The big mistake that is made and cannot be undone is "The bike should have been prepared and protected BEFORE you rode it".

Too late now, except if you want to strip it down, clean it, weather protect and rebuild. Then apply wax, greases and lubes before you next take it out.

 

[stranger]

Ah--now I have the ultimate answer to this one.

I just hand it over to my husband and it comes back to me, an hour or so later, looking like NEW.

HIS bike is over ten years old--and that STILL looks like new.

Shall I ask him how he does it?

 

[Cubist]

Avoid washing up liquid, keep it for doing dishes, the salts in it will dull your paintwork over time

Excess water in Seat Tube and chainstays?! Just how much water are you using to wash a bike?

Drizzle Oil? are you a chef or summat? put a small drop of your chosen lube onto the roller of each link, then do as you suggest, run the chain over all the sprockets and chainrings, through a cloth until the cloth is vitually oil free.

My bike is anodised matt black. Draw your own conclusions.

I once turned my son's bike over after he washed it and a load of water ran out of the drainholes in the chainstays. This was an opportunity to help someone avoid having water inside their bike. The OP had been riding their bike and got it muddy. I expect most MTB riders will agree that it takes quite a lot of water to clean their bike. I'm not sure baby wipes will quite be up to the job.

I used the word drizzle through choice. I have counted to 10 and decided not to be rude in my reply.

 

[Dave5N]

Don't let detergents or de-greasing agents go anywhere near your bike.

The big mistake that is made and cannot be undone is "The bike should have been prepared and protected BEFORE you rode it".

Too late now, except if you want to strip it down, clean it, weather protect and rebuild. Then apply wax, greases and lubes before you next take it out.

Nonsense. Just make sure the bits that need to be greasy or oily are made suitably greasy or oily afterwards.

 

[Mortiroloboy]

My bike is anodised matt black. Draw your own conclusions.

I once turned my son's bike over after he washed it and a load of water ran out of the drainholes in the chainstays. This was an opportunity to help someone avoid having water inside their bike. The OP had been riding their bike and got it muddy. I expect most MTB riders will agree that it takes quite a lot of water to clean their bike. I'm not sure baby wipes will quite be up to the job.

I used the word drizzle through choice. I have counted to 10 and decided not to be rude in my reply.

Apologies I'm sure, as a roadie I never really get my bike 'that' dirty I suppose.