Criticise my bike clean routine

[Welsh wheels]

So I give my bike some TLC about once a fortnight. My routine consists of the following steps:

1. Put some degreaser on the drivechain and run the chain through the whole range of gears to spread it around.
2. Use a flathead screwdriver around the jockey wheels to get rid of the grime that tends to build up round there
3. Clean the whole bike using hot, soapy (washing up liquid) water.
4. Clean the chain using the same hot, soapy water to get rid of oil and degreaser
5. Rinse the whole bike using hot, non-soapy water to get rid of any bubbles (including the chain)
6. Dry the whole bike, including the chain, with one of those blue washing cloths
7. Relubricate the drivechain
8. Check the brakes work and that the tyres are in good shape

Am I doing anything wrong or could I do anything better?

Feel free to pick holes in my technique, I'd like my bikes to last a long time

 

[fossyant]

Mr Sheen.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

GT 85 after drying, smell great too.
Not on disk brakes of course, or on braking surfaces.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd suggest a car shampoo with wax as a washing liquid but then clean the wheel rims with washing up liquid (off the bike), I wouldn't degrease the chain either, Oil and a cloth is plenty, search on here for the @mickle method (although he is trying to get rid of that badge. )

 

[Salty seadog]

So I give my bike some TLC about once a fortnight. My routine consists of the following steps:

1. Put some degreaser on the drivechain and run the chain through the whole range of gears to spread it around.
2. Use a flathead screwdriver around the jockey wheels to get rid of the grime that tends to build up round there
3. Clean the whole bike using hot, soapy (washing up liquid) water.
4. Clean the chain using the same hot, soapy water to get rid of oil and degreaser
5. Rinse the whole bike using hot, non-soapy water to get rid of any bubbles (including the chain)
6. Dry the whole bike, including the chain, with one of those blue washing cloths
7. Relubricate the drivechain
8. Check the brakes work and that the tyres are in good shape

Am I doing anything wrong or could I do anything better?

Feel free to pick holes in my technique, I'd like my bikes to last a long time

Nowt wrong with that at all. It's pretty much what I do except I don't use a degreaser, just hot soapy water. I do give the chain and mechs a blast of gt85 to drive out the water and leave a protective film. the chain gets wiped off and properly lubed after half hour or so.

 

[Welsh wheels]

Nowt wrong with that at all. It's pretty much what I do except I don't use a degreaser, just hot soapy water. I do give the chain and mechs a blast of gt85 to drive out the water and leave a protective film. the chain gets wiped off and properly lubed after half hour or so.

Thanks, good to know!

 

[gazza1286]

Buy a chain keeper and use a workshop stand. This video is worth a view


View: https://youtu.be/Sf80DnCgHRQ

 

[Welsh wheels]

Buy a chain keeper and use a workshop stand. This video is worth a view


View: https://youtu.be/Sf80DnCgHRQ

I brought a stand recently, it makes cleaning a lot easier.

 

[Salty seadog]

Buy a chain keeper and use a workshop stand. This video is worth a view


View: https://youtu.be/Sf80DnCgHRQ

I need to get hold of one of them special brushes.......

 

[lpretro1]

I'd suggest a car shampoo with wax as a washing liquid but then clean the wheel rims with washing up liquid (off the bike), I wouldn't degrease the chain either, Oil and a cloth is plenty, search on here for the @mickle method (although he is trying to get rid of that badge. )

And not a good idea for disk brake rotors either!

 

[KnackeredBike]

1. Oil the chain when you remember.
2. Replace the chain and rear cassette when you happen to be passing a LBS and have a spare hour.

Never cleaned a chain in my life, chains and rear cassettes are cheap as chips

 

[SuperHans123]

Pretty much what I do.
Cleaned the bike yesterday and the only difference to what you do is I use a Park Tool chain cleaner using neat Rhino MTB Cleaner 1st and then a second pass with a diluted version I also use to wash the bike with...really great stuff.
Also use a wash mitt that I use to clean the car; much better than sponges and Muc Off brushes for the hard to get at stuff and rear cassette.
Also use a bike stand and take the rear wheel off to clean separately and allow you better access to the rear bits of the bike.(Park Tool chain cleaner only one I have used that isn't shoot and doesn't fall apart)
Great video here and quite funny as well:-

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2sKhSDrugE

 

[Jody]

No need to degrease the chain. A good mickle would surfice
Jockey wheels shouldn't get chocked up in two weeks. Maybe use a little less lube or different type
No need to use hot water to rinse the bike

 

[SuperHans123]

No need to degrease the chain. A good mickle would surfice
Jockey wheels shouldn't get chocked up in two weeks. Maybe use a little less lube or different type
No need to use hot water to rinse the bike

As Mick himself says ' other chain cleaning methods are available'

 

[Jody]

Indeed but I would rather not degrease my chain totally. A chain as clean as yours looks great but it's not for me. My bike might get a thorough clean like that two or three times a year. It's dirty within 10 mins of riding even in the summer.

Wash mitts are a good call though. Makes it a lot easier.