Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joe TV on January 13, 2010 at 5:49pm

you got a bathtub?

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Permalink Reply by Will on January 13, 2010 at 5:56pm

Yeah, I was hoping to keep the filth out of my bathroom, but that's a last resort, I suppose. I was thinking more along the lines of a car wash where I could pop in a few quarters and get a couple of minutes with a power washer.

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Permalink Reply by Will on January 13, 2010 at 6:00pm

H3N3 said:

Car wash at Grand and Oakley?

That works, thanks! I never make it that far west on Grand, so I was unaware. All the car washes near me (Grand and Racine-ish) are not self-service.

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Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on January 13, 2010 at 6:23pm

or you could do what I do and just take her outside your place with a 5 gallon watering can and shower off the bike. Not the most high tech way to do it but works for me.

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Permalink Reply by RodimusPrime on January 13, 2010 at 7:45pm

I think russell at Upgrade said they have a hose you can use outside or something. .

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 14, 2010 at 2:22am

Weekly sponge baths. Beware the high pressure hoses at self-serve car washes.

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Permalink Reply by S on January 14, 2010 at 4:13am

Watch out for the power washers, they'll force water into your hubs and bearings and you may end up with rusty / shot bearings if enough grease gets removed by the water. Check out deck sprayers, they go for around 20-30 online and they might meet your needs.

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Permalink Reply by Will on January 14, 2010 at 4:19am

Thanks, Kevin and S. Good to know. Those car washes invariably also have a low-pressure setting, so I'd probably use that. However, if Upgrade is offering the use of a hose, I'll just go there.

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on January 14, 2010 at 4:37am

I shower my bikes at home (they fit nicely on the tub ledge); then clean the bathroom then shower myself.

easy as 1-2-3

DB

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on January 14, 2010 at 4:37am

advantage to being single ;-) >>

daniel brown said:

I shower my bikes at home (they fit nicely on the tub ledge); then clean the bathroom then shower myself.

easy as 1-2-3

DB

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Permalink Reply by Glenn on January 14, 2010 at 5:28am

wet rag and sponge yo ;)

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 14, 2010 at 9:31am

Why so concerned about hosing down your bike? The next time you take it out it will get dirty really quickly. Keeping your bike clean in wintry road conditions is a losing battle.

The salt itself won’t damage your frame a bit (assuming it is painted or coated). What does tend to get rusty are nuts and bolts, unless they are made of high-end stainless steel or other rust and stain resisting materials

The one thing to check regularly in the winter is your drive train (chain, cassette, chainrings, and derailleurs). You want to make sure that it is clean, not rusted, well lubed, and that it moves without much noise. Other than that I would not maintain my bike anymore than in the summer. Instead clean your bike thoroughly in April or so, after all snow is gone and we had some rain to wash the remaining salt of the streets.

If you really want to clean your bike right now, I suggest a bucket with some soapy water, some brushes and a pair of latex gloves. Take it outside and rub it down. You may want to have a rag handy, to wipe off the excess moisture. Then take it inside to let it dry completely, before the nuts and bolts start rusting.

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