Tips on looking after a road bike

[roley poley]

I'd rather give the OCD toothbrush cleaning routine a miss and go and drink a beer instead.....

the only times I do use a toothbrush is to clean threads of things in a bit of white spirit when they are off for a service coz that's the only way I can get in there..that and the grout in the shower..behind the loo...and the garden path on a Sunday

 

[figbat]

A cyclist in our village cleans his tyre sidewalls every week (along with the rest of the bike) - I can't remember ever cleaning my tyre sidewalls.

Does hosing mud off of them count?

 

[Vantage]

A cyclist in our village cleans his tyre sidewalls every week (along with the rest of the bike) - I can't remember ever cleaning my tyre sidewalls.

I'm guilty of that too. The whole tyre, tread and all.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I'm guilty of that too. The whole tyre, tread and all.

 

[Davos87]

View: https://youtu.be/QvzVRxlIUL0

This guy swears by WD40 for degreaser and his lube.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I know that it’s relatively easy to clean muck off the frame, but what is the best way to get rid of any muck on any screws on the bike?

Your tongue

 

[carlosfandangus]

I must admit to cleaning regularly, car shampoo or that special cleaner I bought from the local Spar, its green and you can do dishes with it too,
If I have been for a ride down the seafront after a windy high tide I always hose off, sea water is not the best for bikes, I used to have an alloy bike with a white matt finish, I got so pissed off trying to keep it clean, I ended up stripping it down, went over it with T cut and then waxed it, I will never buy a matt white bike again

 

[RoadRider400]

I'm guilty of that too. The whole tyre, tread and all.

Same, run a damp cloth around each tyre after every ride.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

A cyclist in our village cleans his tyre sidewalls every week (along with the rest of the bike) - I can't remember ever cleaning my tyre sidewalls.

I wash mine with a brush.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

The only time my tyres get washed is if I ride through a puddle. I can understand wanting to hose off sea water or road salt in winter, but other than that, I reckon bike cleaning is for people with too much time on their hands!

 

[Dogtrousers]

The only time my tyres get washed is if I ride through a puddle. I can understand wanting to hose off sea water or road salt in winter, but other than that, I reckon bike cleaning is for people with too much time on their hands!

Or people who want clean bikes?

 

[Vantage]

Yep. Some of us spent time and/or money on our bikes and want them to last and look good. I look after my belongings and take pride in that I'm not riding around on some s**t covered rust bucket like some folk.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Or people who want clean bikes?

I like clean bikes, I just don't like doing the cleaning! I don't care much for car-washing either.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I like clean bikes, I just don't like doing the cleaning! I don't care much for car-washing either.

Time for me to reveal a fact of which I am very proud. I have never washed a car in my life.

 

[Paulus]

I like clean bikes, I just don't like doing the cleaning! I don't care much for car-washing either.

All 7 of my bikes are clean. I don't like riding a dirty bike.