Quick Clean

[uclown2002]

I ride most days and invariably the bike is dirty and wet when I return. I try and give it a quick clean after each ride but I'm reluctant to spend too much time on it. I do give it a more intensive clean about once a week if required.

My 10 minute quick clean consists of a fine spray down with a hosepipe being careful to point directly to headset and bottom bracket for eg.

Chain and Cassette (and other oily areas) get dried off with an oily rag and I'd normally use a cleanish towel to (quickly) dry off the rest of the bike.

To finish off I'd normally spray cassette and chain with GT85, before putting the bike away. Every 2-3 days I lube the chain with a better lubricant.

Is that good enough or should I be using a proper chain lube daily?

Anything else I should be doing?

 

[The Brewer]

Sounds like a good routine to me

 

[musa]

more than enough

 

[uclown2002]

That is reassuring then. I'll carry on then unless I get any conflicting advice.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Better than what I do! I just clean the frame with baby wipes, give the chain a few runs through a rag and then relube.

 

[I like Skol]

I wash my commuter occasionally, maybe once a year. The Chain gets oiled every few weeks or when I can hear it complaining and typically lasts around 1.5k (but the KMC one fitted at the moment looks as though it will last many miles longer ). I intend to do a bit of post winter maintenance in the next month or two, just service the headset and lube the gear cables, so might give it a good clean then. But I might not
I ride about 60-70 miles a week on average and my bike is damn reliable!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Hose down.

Blow over with this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Makita-BUB1...KU/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1363449985&sr=8-25

Squirt Bike Spray over everything that may ever rust.

Waxy lube on chain.

 

[ianrauk]

I like your style uclown2002.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I ride most days and invariably the bike is dirty and wet when I return. I try and give it a quick clean after each ride but I'm reluctant to spend too much time on it. I do give it a more intensive clean about once a week if required.

My 10 minute quick clean consists of a fine spray down with a hosepipe being careful to point directly to headset and bottom bracket for eg.

Chain and Cassette (and other oily areas) get dried off with an oily rag and I'd normally use a cleanish towel to (quickly) dry off the rest of the bike.

To finish off I'd normally spray cassette and chain with GT85, before putting the bike away. Every 2-3 days I lube the chain with a better lubricant.

Is that good enough or should I be using a proper chain lube daily?

Anything else I should be doing?

Much the same. Not too much pressure. Avoiding direct spray on bearings. Only difference GT85 all over.

 

[uclown2002]

Much the same. Not too much pressure. Avoiding direct spray on bearings. Only difference GT85 all over.

All over the bike or moving parts?

How often would you properly clean and lube the chain then?

 

[youngoldbloke]

Light spray all over. I use Progold Prolink on the chain, clean it by running chain through a rag (or old sock!) repeat, repeat - see 'Mickle method'. I clean/lube the chain with a hypodermic when it begins to look dry, or after a wet/dirty ride, one drop on inside each roller, usually be the day after cleaning. Also use the hypodermic and Prolink to lubricate the pivot points on the F+R mechs, brake calipers, pedal cleat mechs etc.

 

[fullcycle]

i deffinatley suffer with OCD when it comes to cleaning i get far to thorough and then if ive rode to work after i end up wiping small specs of mud off that i can see

 

[uclown2002]

i deffinatley suffer with OCD when it comes to cleaning i get far to thorough and then if ive rode to work after i end up wiping small specs of mud off that i can see

Yes it can be quite addictive! I cleaned my old bike 2-3 times per month and it used to irritate me when it was dirty. Now I keep on top of it most days and I feel better for it. Obviously it needs a deep clean less frequently too.

 

[fullcycle]

Yes it can be quite addictive! I cleaned my old bike 2-3 times per month and it used to irritate me when it was dirty. Now I keep on top of it most days and I feel better for it. Obviously it needs a deep clean less frequently too.

I'm getting very close to having baby wipes in my bag at all times!

 

[uclown2002]

I'm getting very close to having baby wipes in my bag at all times!

They are very useful though.