Cleaning Bike

[BinBag]

Does anyone else actually enjoy cleaning their bike? I do.

That's two weekends in a row now that I've not been able to get out on my bike, but had time to spend an hour cleaning it for the weeks commute. And I'm actually improving my processes and getting a better clean with each turn - lean learning I think they call it!

I am one happy chappy!

Do you like cleaning your bike - and what little tips can you share with everyone?

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I like cleaning my bike about as much as lancing a boil on the nethers!

If I send you my bike, would you clean it please?

 

[addictfreak]

I love it when my bikes are super clean. But I hate doing it, its a necessary evil as far as im concerned

 

[potsy]

Only weirdo's enjoy cleaning their bikes

 

[JDP]

Only weirdo's enjoy cleaning their bikes

Clean bike owning weirdo here!

Mind you have only been doing it for a few months as the bike is still 'new' so the novelty may wear off soon

 

[amnesia]

Took mine apart and cleaned it last weekend...

 

[HLaB]

I don't know what is but I can't get motivated to clean my bikes but after I'm started, I don't mind and could get carried away and forget about time.

Edit: the OP wanted a tip; baby wipes.

 

[Mark_Robson]

I take more interest in cleaning my bikes than I do my car. I love looking at and riding a clean bike

 

[guitarpete247]

Spent about 1/2 hour after todays ride. Should have done it last week but a little cream crackered after first ride since Christmas (been too cold for me ).
Enjoyed the fact my bike is now clean but didn't enjoy getting sprayed with icy water.

 

[potsy]

I take more interest in cleaning my bikes than I do my car. I love looking at and riding a clean bike

My car gets cleaned twice a year if that

Bike has a wipe down every couple of weeks with a wet rag

 

[Davidc]

There are clean bike fetishists on here, but not many!

I clean both of mine, but not too thoroughly, when they look dirty, BUT...

once a year, after the winter and usually about the end of March I do a strip down and do it properly.

Wheels off - tyres off and clean them, remove any grit or bits inside them, clean the rims and hubs with degreaser. Cassette off and accumulated gunge cleaned off with degreaser.

Chain off. Don't do anything to it, it gets maintenance roughly Mickle method way.

Front and rear mechs off and cleaned up - WD40 on a cotton cloth for them.

Pedals off and cleaned with a cloth and car shampoo.

Cranks and chainset off and cleaned with degreaser.

Saddle and seatpost off. The Brooks gets its annual proofide but mainly to get them out of the way.

Mudguards off and cleaned with a cloth and car shampoo.

Brakes off - a cloth and car shampoo on the metal bits, cables off the frame and handlebars off.

Then it's the frame's turn.

Any other bits including racks come off and get cleaned with a cloth and car shampoo.

Stage 1 is a cloth and car shampoo.

Stage 2 is degreaser.

Stage 3 is furniture polish and a cloth.

That's the cleaning, next it all goes back together checking all of the bearings and the set up of every component as it goes back on. If needed new cables, brake blocks and so on go on to replace any worn out during the winter. Regreasing and lubrication of anything that needs it, including repacking the hubs and pedal bearingns. No need with BB and headset now, they're all sealed bearings.

When I've finished I have gleaming bikes, fully serviced, ready for another year's riding.

 

[gbb]

Love cleaning the bike. I'm fortunate i can (shouldnt but do) clean mine at work (its stored in my workshop, and there's only me).
It can be done really effectively and quickly. I use a sprayer with detergent and paper towel. No buckets, no sponges or water.
Liberally spray the frame and rims/tyres, let it soak through for a minute then wipe off the muck with paper towel. Do the same again to really get clean and wipe dry with more towel.

Calipers, derailleurs get a spray with WD40 the wipe off the excess (i only do this in the winter), then spray with silicone spray and quick buff with paper towel.

I love it that much i do mine probably every couple of days, or daily if its wet n murky.
Nothing more satisfying than a clean bike.

 

[BinBag]

I like cleaning my bike about as much as lancing a boil on the nethers!

If I send you my bike, would you clean it please?

Erm, no. :-)

 

[BinBag]

I agree that a nice clean bike is nicer to ride, that's why I don't mind cleaning it.

Cheers for the tips, it's not a fetish of mine (honestly!), I only rip the wheels off every now and again to get a proper clean. The murky depths of Manchester leave my bike mucky after almost every ride.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Does anyone else actually enjoy cleaning their bike? I do.

That's two weekends in a row now that I've not been able to get out on my bike, but had time to spend an hour cleaning it for the weeks commute. And I'm actually improving my processes and getting a better clean with each turn - lean learning I think they call it!

I am one happy chappy!

Do you like cleaning your bike - and what little tips can you share with everyone?

No, a bikes for riding not cleaning, this time of year I'll show the bike a bucket of soapy water and a wet rag about once a week, but in the summer its more like once every couple of months.