Bike Cleaning

Giant ATX 860 said:

My next question is on cleaning my MTB after a rainy muddy
day out riding.

Whats the best way to wash the bike, and relube
everything.

Hose it down or take it in the shower with you. If you're
using a pressure-hose, make sure you don't aim it at any of
the bearings (bb, headset, hubs, etc) or you'll wash out
the grease.

The other alternative is to just let it dry, dust it off
before your next ride and add some lube.

Quoted message said:

Is it safe to use a degreaser to clean the chain before
you relube it again.

Yes, but normally you shouldn't have to. If your chain's
getting that greasy, you're using too heavy a lube (IMO).

Quoted message said:

Also how often should you relube your chain ?

There's no set time period. Just check it regularly to
make sure it's well lubed. If it's not, add some more.
Simple really.

And finally any other tips

Quoted message said:

on keeping my bike running good and looking good after a
fun day out mudbashing.

Who cares what your bike looks like, just enjoy riding it 🙂

--
a.m-b FAQ: j-harris.netambfaq.htmOpen ↗

b.bmx FAQ: t-online.debmx faq.htmOpen ↗

Giant ATX 860 said:

Hi all, I must say this newsgroup is tops, its like a live
chat room.

What are you wearing?

Quoted message said:

I am new to this group, but I must say the replies are
instant, and most helpfull, thanks to all.

FOAD.

Quoted message said:

My next question is on cleaning my MTB after a rainy muddy
day out riding.

You like it dirty, eh?

Quoted message said:

Whats the best way to wash the bike, and relube
everything.

KY Jelly.

Quoted message said:

Is it safe to use a degreaser to clean the chain before
you relube it again. Also how often should you relube your
chain ? And finally any other tips on keeping my bike
running good and looking good after a fun day out
mudbashing.

If it looks bad, feels good it's just right.

Bill "vaguely remembers chat rooms from AOHell daze" S.

Giant ATX 860 said:

Hi all, I must say this newsgroup is tops, its like a live
chat room.

I am new to this group, but I must say the replies are
instant, and most helpfull, thanks to all.

My next question is on cleaning my MTB after a rainy muddy
day out riding.

Whats the best way to wash the bike, and relube
everything.

I like filling a water bottle* with warm water and gently
rinsing the bike-no high pressure washing. Spin the wheels,
turn the cranks a bit and dry the bike with a rag. *What we
used before we had Re-Hydration Systems (TM)

Quoted message said:

Is it safe to use a degreaser to clean the chain before
you relube it again.

Take it off the bike first (get a SRAM power link if you
don't have one already). Let all the solvent dry first
before lubing.

Quoted message said:

Also how often should you relube your chain ?

When your husband starts complaining about the squeaking, at
least that's how my wife does it. :-)

Quoted message said:

And finally any other tips on keeping my bike running good
and looking good after a fun day out mudbashing.

This isn't singletrack you're mudbashing on is it? Very bad
for the trails, and will incur considerable ire from this
group. Looking good? This ain't no disco, or CBGB's...

Cheers, Shawn, rides muddy roads :-)

Cleaning?!?!

nah..... the dirt and crud increases the structural rigidity
of the frame!!!!

"Giant ATX 860" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi all, I must say this newsgroup is tops, its like a live
chat room.

I am new to this group, but I must say the replies are
instant, and most helpfull, thanks to all.

My next question is on cleaning my MTB after a rainy muddy
day out riding.

Whats the best way to wash the bike, and relube
everything.

Is it safe to use a degreaser to clean the chain before
you relube it

again.

Quoted message said:

Also how often should you relube your chain ? And finally
any other tips on keeping my bike running good and looking

good

Quoted message said:

after a fun day out mudbashing.

Thanks again. Tony 99 Giant ATX 860

"Giant ATX 860" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi all, I must say this newsgroup is tops, its like a live
chat room.

I am new to this group, but I must say the replies are
instant, and most helpfull, thanks to all.

My next question is on cleaning my MTB after a rainy muddy
day out riding.

Whats the best way to wash the bike, and relube
everything.

Is it safe to use a degreaser to clean the chain before
you relube it

again.

Quoted message said:

Also how often should you relube your chain ? And finally
any other tips on keeping my bike running good and looking

good

Quoted message said:

after a fun day out mudbashing.

Thanks again. Tony 99 Giant ATX 860

Best way: Wash like normal with dish detergent. Pay
attention to NOT getting a lot of soap into vital areas. Use
an aircompressor to blow it dry. This prevents the rusty
bolt look.

TJ

I came across this page that seems to be a good guide.
cyclingnews.comfixOpen ↗

"Giant ATX 860" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi all, I must say this newsgroup is tops, its like a live
chat room.

I am new to this group, but I must say the replies are
instant, and most helpfull, thanks to all.

My next question is on cleaning my MTB after a rainy muddy
day out riding.

Whats the best way to wash the bike, and relube
everything.

Is it safe to use a degreaser to clean the chain before
you relube it

again.

Quoted message said:

Also how often should you relube your chain ? And finally
any other tips on keeping my bike running good and looking

good

Quoted message said:

after a fun day out mudbashing.

Thanks again. Tony 99 Giant ATX 860

"DDB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:9Mk6c.853189$ts4.84281@pd7tw3no...

Quoted message said:

Cleaning?!?!

nah..... the dirt and crud increases the structural
rigidity of the frame!!!!

....and helps keep out anything that might rot it while
you ride ;-)

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by \ Dave
"DDB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:9Mk6c.853189$ts4.84281@pd7tw3no...

Quoted message said:

Cleaning?!?!

nah..... the dirt and crud increases the structural
rigidity of the frame!!!!

....and helps keep out anything that might rot it while
you ride ;-)

Water is your enemy. Avoid it unless you take your bike completely apart and dry out every bearing, bolt, small part, and replace the cables and housing. Washing your bike with a hose or taking it in the shower is one of the worst things you can do to it.

Best bet is to wipe the chain and vital parts with a cleaning towel as soon as you are done riding. Let all the mud and [censored] on the frame dry and then scrub it off with a dry towel. You may want to reapply lube to the cables and chain the next day. Keep the components clean - if you want that nice shiny frame look, use dishwashing detergent and a little bit of water on the frame areas. Wax on wax off - Do NOT let water get into the components.

Or you can completely ignore my advice - then bring your bike to the shop I work at and have me clean it. I love buisness from people who do not know how to properly maintain their bike.

SWorksRider said:

\ Dave said:

"DDB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:9Mk6c.853189$ts4.8-
4281@pd7tw3nonews:9Mk6c.853189$ts4.84281@pd7tw3no...

Quoted message said:

Cleaning?!?!

nah..... the dirt and crud increases the structural
rigidity of the frame!!!!

....and helps keep out anything that might rot it
while you ride ;-)

Water is your enemy. Avoid it unless you take your bike
completely apart and dry out every bearing, bolt, small
part, and replace the cables and housing. Washing your
bike with a hose or taking it in the shower is one of the
worst things you can do to it.

Best bet is to wipe the chain and vital parts with a
cleaning towel as soon as you are done riding. Let all the
mud and [censored] on the frame dry and then scrub it off with a
dry towel. You may want to reapply lube to the cables and
chain the next day. Keep the components clean - if you
want that nice shiny frame look, use dishwashing detergent
and a little bit of water on the frame areas. Wax on wax
off - Do NOT let water get into the components.

Or you can completely ignore my advice - then bring your
bike to the shop I work at and have me clean it. I love
buisness from people who do not know how to properly
maintain their bike.

So what about rain then?

--

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road signs that says -> "Draw Bridge Ahead" and I don't have
a pencil. -> -Lou Chiafullo
--

QUIPd 1.02: (94 of 679) -> I hate it when I see one of those
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a pencil. -> -Lou Chiafullo
##4967 #'Mandrake Linux.'

Quoted message said:

Water is your enemy. Avoid it unless you take your bike
completely apart and dry out every bearing, bolt, small
part, and replace the cables and housing. Washing your
bike with a hose or taking it in the shower is one of the
worst things you can do to it.

Best bet is to wipe the chain and vital parts with a
cleaning towel as soon as you are done riding. Let all the
mud and [censored] on the frame dry and then scrub it off with a
dry towel. You may want to reapply lube to the cables and
chain the next day. Keep the components clean - if you
want that nice shiny frame look, use dishwashing detergent
and a little bit of water on the frame areas. Wax on wax
off - Do NOT let water get into the components.

Or you can completely ignore my advice - then bring your
bike to the shop I work at and have me clean it. I love
buisness from people who do not know how to properly
maintain their bike.

So what about rain then?

-- Simple, avoid it if possible, but if you feel like going mud bashing, or you are otherwise forced to race in it - do so, then take the bike apart, dry and regrease every part, clean the chain/cassette/cranks etc.. throughly. Or, bring it to your local bike shop and have them do it. Otherwise, water and dirt will get into a lot of places it is not suppose to be. Then you will notice poor shifting, rust, noises that sound funky, and will end up spending a lot more cash to fix it then had you just let somebody clean it.

"SWorksRider" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Water is your enemy. Avoid it unless you take your bike
completely apart and dry out every bearing, bolt, small
part, and replace the cables and housing. Washing your
bike with a hose or taking it in the shower is one of
the worst things you can do to it.

Best bet is to wipe the chain and vital parts with a
cleaning towel as soon as you are done riding. Let all
the mud and [censored] on the frame dry and then scrub it off
with a dry towel. You may want to reapply lube to the
cables and chain the next day. Keep the components clean
- if you want that nice shiny frame look, use
dishwashing detergent and a little bit of water on the
frame areas. Wax on wax off - Do NOT let water get into
the components.

Or you can completely ignore my advice - then bring your
bike to the shop I work at and have me clean it. I love
buisness from people who do not know how to properly
maintain their bike.

So what about rain then?

-- Simple, avoid it if possible, but if you feel like
going mud bashing, or you are otherwise forced to race
in it - do so, then take the bike apart, dry and
regrease every part, clean the chain/cassette/cranks
etc.. throughly. Or, bring it to your local bike shop
and have them do
it. Otherwise, water and dirt will get into a lot of
places it is not suppose to be. Then you will notice
poor shifting, rust, noises that sound funky, and will
end up spending a lot more cash to fix it then had you
just let somebody clean it.

If that was the case, my bike would be in the bike shop
getting cleaned every second day.The other day -- well id be
going mud bogging, jumping off docks, or just riding int the
elements of mother nature(rain snow sleet, idiot who left
the sprinkler on...)

I spray my bike down once a year with the pressure washer at
work (2000psi). I then greese it upand also cover up all the
scratches. i use a garden hose on it when my bottom bracket
looks like its made of mud.

I oil my chain with 80W90 gear oil once a week the bike is
about 4 yrs old

micheal

Quoted message said:

Water is your enemy. Avoid it unless you take your bike
completely apart and dry out every bearing, bolt, small
part, and replace the cables and housing. Washing your
bike with a hose or taking it in the shower is one of the
worst things you can do to it.

Perhaps your tip applies to young riders who've never been
taught the need for routine maintenance of their steed. See
I'm an old guy riding an old Kona Lavadome in the UK and its
never ridden better since new.

We get a lot of mud on our bikes over here and my big rides
are thru the forests and over the moors and that mud is very
gritty, usually granite particles. When I get back to the
trailhead after a two day ride first thing I do is to spray
the whole lot with Muc Off and let it work while I change
clothes and brew the tea. Then I dunk the bike in the lake
or nearby fast moving stream (shouldnt say this in print !)
and let it dripdry while I eat and drink. A quick wipe dry
with a towel and its into the boot (trunk) of the car for
the ride home.

Next day its an all over wash and degrease which includes
scrubbing every link in the chain. Then the relube, every
single chainlink again, plus the polish of the still shiny
frame. The canti pads get sanded and tweaked, rims get the
treatment too. About every three months now I take off one
chain, for a proper degrease and off bike relube, and then
fit the second. Boring ? oh sure but I've retired and can't
afford new technology for it.

I've not ridden since the end of last summer. Got the bike
off its rack today, not a trace of rust anywhere, the last
greasing and lubeing has lasted well. It only needed topup
of air in the tyres before I could go out for a 30 min
ride along the riverside path. Looks like no replacement
parts needed and no work to be done before I can go out
for a splash in the Spring rain later this week. What a
beaut. This bikes no stranger to water and water is no
enemy to us. Mike

taywood said:

When I get back to the trailhead after a two day ride
first thing I do is to spray the whole lot with Muc Off
and let it work while I change clothes and brew the tea.
Then I dunk the bike in the lake or nearby fast moving
stream (shouldnt say this in print !) and let it dripdry
while I eat and drink. A quick wipe dry with a towel and
its into the boot (trunk) of the car for the ride home.

Next day its an all over wash and degrease which includes
scrubbing every link in the chain. Then the relube, every
single chainlink again, plus the polish of the still shiny
frame. The canti pads get sanded and tweaked, rims get the
treatment too.

Quoted message said:

Mike

After every 2 days of riding? I am impressed. I don't have
that kind of time, but then again, I don't get those kind of
conditions either.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado (remove ".nospam" to reply)

SWorksRider said:

Quoted message said:

Water is your enemy. Avoid it unless you take your bike
completely apart and dry out every bearing, bolt, small
part, and replace the cables and housing. Washing your
bike with a hose or taking it in

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

shower is one of the worst things you can do to it.

So what about rain then?

-- Simple, avoid it if possible, but if you feel like
going mud

bashing,

Quoted message said:

or you are otherwise forced to race in it - do so, then
take the

bike

Quoted message said:

apart, dry and regrease every part, clean the
chain/cassette/cranks

<snip>

The main problem I have experienced with rain is the cables.
Especially the rear derailleur. The cable rusts inside, and
your indexed shifting goes all to hell. 🙁

I have greased the cables, but it only helps for so long.

--

QUIPd 1.02: (32 of 679) -> In order to understand recursion,
-> first, you have to understand recursion.

"SWorksRider" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

\ Dave said:

"DDB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:9Mk6c.853189$ts4.8-

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

4281@pd7tw3nonews:9Mk6c.853189$ts4.84281@pd7tw3no...

Quoted message said:

Cleaning?!?!

nah..... the dirt and crud increases the structural
rigidity of the frame!!!!

....and helps keep out anything that might rot it
while you ride ;-)

Water is your enemy. Avoid it unless you take your bike
completely apart and dry out every bearing, bolt, small
part, and replace the cables and housing. Washing your
bike with a hose or taking it in the shower is one of the
worst things you can do to it.

Best bet is to wipe the chain and vital parts with a
cleaning towel as soon as you are done riding. Let all the
mud and [censored] on the frame dry and then scrub it off with a
dry towel. You may want to reapply lube to the cables and
chain the next day. Keep the components clean - if you
want that nice shiny frame look, use dishwashing detergent
and a little bit of water on the frame areas. Wax on wax
off - Do NOT let water get into the components.

Or you can completely ignore my advice - then bring your
bike to the shop I work at and have me clean it. I love
buisness from people who do not know how to properly
maintain their bike.

ROTFLMAO!

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

p.s. I know how to maintain my bikes, I've been doing it for
years and years. I also use a hose. I also never take
my bikes apart to dry out every bearing, bolt, small
part, housing, etc.

p e t e f a g e r l i n wrote:
| "SWorksRider" <[email hidden]> wrote in
| message
| "]news:[email hidden]...
|| \ Dave wrote:
|| > "DDB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
|| news:9Mk6c.853189$ts4.8- >
|| 4281@pd7tw3nonews:9Mk6c.853189$ts4.84281@pd7tw3no... >
|| > Cleaning?!?! > >
|| > > nah..... the dirt and crud increases the structural
|| > > rigidity
|| of the > > frame!!!!
|| > >
|| > ....and helps keep out anything that might rot it
|| > while you ride
|| ;-)
||
||
||
|| Water is your enemy. Avoid it unless you take your bike
|| completely apart and dry out every bearing, bolt, small
|| part, and replace the cables and housing. Washing your
|| bike with a hose or taking it in the shower is one of the
|| worst things you can do to it.
||
|| Best bet is to wipe the chain and vital parts with a
|| cleaning towel as soon as you are done riding. Let all
|| the mud and [censored] on the frame dry and then scrub it off
|| with a dry towel. You may want to reapply lube to the
|| cables and chain the next day. Keep the components clean
|| - if you want that nice shiny frame look, use dishwashing
|| detergent and a little bit of water on the frame areas.
|| Wax on wax off - Do NOT let water get into the
|| components.
||
|| Or you can completely ignore my advice - then bring your
|| bike to the shop I work at and have me clean it. I love
|| buisness from people who do not know how to properly
|| maintain their bike.
|
| ROTFLMAO!
|
| The sky is falling! The sky is falling! The sky is
| falling!
|
| p.s. I know how to maintain my bikes, I've been doing it
| for years and years. I also use a hose. I also never
| take my bikes apart to dry out every bearing, bolt,
| small part, housing, etc.

OMG, Petey Boy and I agree on something. The sky really
is falling!

---
__o _`\(,_ Cycling is life, (_)/ (_) all the rest,
just details. The Nelson Paradigm =^o.o^=
intergalax.comintergalax.comOpen ↗

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Virus Database: 408 - Release Date: 3/20/2004

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by P E T E F A G E
"SWorksRider" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

\ Dave said:

"DDB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:9Mk6c.853189$ts4.8-

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

4281@pd7tw3nonews:9Mk6c.853189$ts4.84281@pd7tw3no...

Quoted message said:

Cleaning?!?!

nah..... the dirt and crud increases the structural
rigidity of the frame!!!!

....and helps keep out anything that might rot it
while you ride ;-)

Water is your enemy. Avoid it unless you take your bike
completely apart and dry out every bearing, bolt, small
part, and replace the cables and housing. Washing your
bike with a hose or taking it in the shower is one of the
worst things you can do to it.

Best bet is to wipe the chain and vital parts with a
cleaning towel as soon as you are done riding. Let all the
mud and [censored] on the frame dry and then scrub it off with a
dry towel. You may want to reapply lube to the cables and
chain the next day. Keep the components clean - if you
want that nice shiny frame look, use dishwashing detergent
and a little bit of water on the frame areas. Wax on wax
off - Do NOT let water get into the components.

Or you can completely ignore my advice - then bring your
bike to the shop I work at and have me clean it. I love
buisness from people who do not know how to properly
maintain their bike.

ROTFLMAO!

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

p.s. I know how to maintain my bikes, I've been doing it for
years and years. I also use a hose. I also never take
my bikes apart to dry out every bearing, bolt, small
part, housing, etc.

I am glad you know everything to know about mountain bikes and maintenance. Of course in all your years of expertise you could not be wrong - ESPECIALLY when dealing with maintenance.

The simple truth is, as long as you do not let mud and grime builds up in your cable housing, and parts - you can maintain a functional bike. Washing your frame with water is not going to kill it. Over time, letting water sit in your derailures, housing, shifters, etc, is what leads to problems. Everyone has their own methods of maintaining their bike - and I am not going to say every method but mine is incorrect. However, the way my bike performs speaks for itself. Since the majority of riders here are occasional trail riders and weekend warriors, occasional maintenance is all they need. I ride my bike a little more and under slightly more strenuous conditions - so I make sure I take better care.

Anyways, I hope you got something constructive out of my post. I forget who was the origonal poster, but it was only my intention to inform - not start a flame war over who maintains their bikes better.

"Craig Brossman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

taywood said:

When I get back to the trailhead after a two day ride
first thing I do

is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to spray the whole lot with Muc Off and let it work
while I change

clothes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and brew the tea. Then I dunk the bike in the lake or
nearby fast moving stream (shouldnt say this in print
!) and let it dripdry while I eat and drink. A quick
wipe dry with a towel and its into the boot (trunk) of
the car

for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the ride home.

Next day its an all over wash and degrease which
includes scrubbing

every

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

link in the chain. Then the relube, every single
chainlink again, plus

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

polish of the still shiny frame. The canti pads get
sanded and tweaked, rims get the treatment too.

Quoted message said:

Mike

After every 2 days of riding? I am impressed. I don't have
that kind of time, but then again, I don't get those kind
of conditions either.

Dont be impressed, this is an old mans touring pace and I've
got time to spare.

Just ride a bit, sit a bit, dream a bit, drink a bit, dream
some more then ride some more. Its surprising how fast the
day goes. Even stopping to throw a pebble into the still
water can take a lot of time. Mike

SWorksRider <[email hidden]> had this to say
"]news:[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

Anyways, I hope you got something constructive out of
my post.

Even if he did, he wouldn't say 🙂

Quoted message said:

forget who was the origonal poster, but it was only my
intention to inform - not start a flame war over who
maintains their bikes better.

you ain't from round' here are ya'?

Quoted message said:

--