Bike cleaning

After this week, my bike's really a mess.  I just found the brake mechanism sticking and the whole bike looks and feels kinda grungy.  I know I should do better, but it's very hard to find the time to decently wipe down and lube the bike these days. 

 

I'm curious, what does everyone do to keep their bikes clean during winter?  Do you just hose down the bike periodically (I don't have direct access to a hose, but I suppose I could find one)?    Does anyone just stop into their LBS for a bike wash periodically in the same way people stop at a car wash?  If so, how much does a bike wash cost? I know Rapid Transit has unlimited bike washing as part of their winter subscription, but I'm not sure what it would cost a la carte.

 

I haven't got a fancy bike, but it's a good solid commuter and I want it to last.  I wish all those hand car wash places would branch out into bike washing.  I'd love to just stop in, pay 5-10 bucks and leave 5 minutes later with a pristine bike.

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Permalink Reply by Vilda on February 4, 2011 at 7:24pm

Well David during the nicer months you will find that a charity bike wash is held and we'll take care of your cleaning and lubing needs (wink wink nudge nudge.;-)

 

Until then the best advice I've gotten was from fellow rider Dan Brown who sticks the bike in the shower to wash it off then the lubing is easy when the bike is dry.

 

My wife might leave me if i stick the bike in the shower but if that's not a problem for you then there ya go. ;-)

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 5, 2011 at 3:02am

A bucket of water with a little bit of soap in it?

 

Don't use dish soap -biggest mistake in washing anything that may have wax on it.  It strips wax like nothing else short of ammonia.  Best to use an auto wash soap like Turtle Wax brand or something like that that is safe for waxed surfaces -unless you want to strip it and then to re-wax. 


Lay out a big beach towel under the bike and sponge away carefully (don't scratch by rubbing in dirt) with a not-quite dripping rag.  Don't get too much water into the chain/cogs/rings, bearings, and levers/cables.  Dry it off with a clean towel and re-lube.

 

The purpose of washing a bike in the winter is to get the salt off.  Salt is nasty to not only steel parts, but can & will attack aluminum as well.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on February 5, 2011 at 4:06am
Sponge baths should clear off much of the surface salt. West Town Bikes also has a washing station for a more thorough hosing off during their Open Shop days.
Permalink Reply by Mark Kenseth on February 5, 2011 at 5:12am
I keep the bike in a warm, ventilated place (my apartment).  If any rain, salt, slush get on it during the day, I take 10-15 minutes to wipe it with a towel (and a little warm water).  I used to keep my bike in the basement next to the water heater and turn a fan on it for a couple hours to dry it out, but now I place my bike in direct range of the heat vent to dry it.
Permalink Reply by Michael A on February 5, 2011 at 5:17am
I use a do it yourself car wash, the one on Damen north of Foster. It has a low pressure option for rinse and soaping also a handy foaming brush. High pressure will blast all the grease from the bearing and can remove decals. Once I get home I finish the job with clean soft rags and a mixture of water/rubbing alcohol. Pledge multi surface cleaner does a great job of polishing everything and will not harm painted, carbon fiber,plastic, annodized, leather,cork or rubber surfaces. When I am all done I relube the chain, cables and pivot points with a spray on teflon. Last step is to wipe my braking surfaces (both rims and brake pads) down with a clean rag and rubbing alcohol.
Permalink Reply by Holly on February 5, 2011 at 5:42am

I'm fortunate to have a basement bike room in my apt building. It's packed with lots of project bikes and things people never ride so parking isn't too great, but I seem to have lived here long enough that I get a key spot.

 

We have a utility sink with a warm water hose. I hose down my bike, dry it, and relube it about 3 times a week. Believe me, it's the last thing I want to do when I get home, but I like my 80s winter bike and would want to ride it for many winters to come. I have a towel and lube down there so after the bath, dry it off and relube. That spray lube is really handy, but I don't use it. (I think it's called T-7 or T-9.)

 

If you can get to West Town, they also have grease and brushes so you could grease components that need grease. I did mine (pedals, seat post, and pivot points) before the season started and wonder how soon I might need to do it again. I would guess that there are quite a few bike shops that would love your business right now and gladly do a total spa treatment for you. Call your shop and ask. I think mine charges around $30 for a deluxe wash.

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on February 5, 2011 at 6:01am

I put mine in the shower.

I've thought about the quarter washes but I don't want water to be blasted inside, freeze or help with corrosion.

I use dish soap let it dry for a day wd40 and re-oil.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on February 5, 2011 at 6:48am

The shower is a great option, especially if you have one of those shower heads on a hose. 

Personally I do very little in the way of washing, mostly because I am lazy, and rely on constant lubrication to keep things working fine.  I also keep my bike indoors so it gets thawed out and dried everynight.

Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on February 5, 2011 at 8:02am

+1 on the occasional wash in the shower (once or twice a month), and keeping the bike indoors overnight.  By keeping the bike indoors everynight, and wiping the bike off and lubing the chain liberally, I don't need to wash the bike that often.

 

You'd be surprised at how easily the shower cleans up after you finish washing your bike.  My wife initially balked at the idea of my using the shower as a bike washing station, but now it's just part of life with a biker.

notoriousDUG said:

The shower is a great option, especially if you have one of those shower heads on a hose. 

Personally I do very little in the way of washing, mostly because I am lazy, and rely on constant lubrication to keep things working fine.  I also keep my bike indoors so it gets thawed out and dried everynight.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 5, 2011 at 8:26am

I've got one of these shower cleaning attachements which is great for cleaning things in the shower as well as the shower itself when it comes time for that. 

 

When it is hooked up the shower head it turned off so you are not spraying water anywhere except for where you aim the sprayer head.  And when you are not pushing the trigger it doesn't spray at all.  Less mess, and saves water.  I'm the housewife in my family and I'm the one who does all the cooking/cleaning/laundry  So I clean the bathroom as well as doing all the other housework.  This is the best $20 I've ever spent as it is a HUGE time-saver just for washing the shower.  Cleaning the shower and tub is a no-fuss 2 minute job when I used to get soaked doing it before and wasted 10 or  so minutes of water running.   Hooking up the hose takes 5 seconds.

 

We have a nice fiberglass whirlpool tub and a hand-laid marble tile surround.  I'd be afraid of scratching them maneuvering the bike in and out of the tub/shower -otherwise it would be pretty easy to hose the bike off and then clean the shower & tub afterward.   The bathroom is tiny too.  Getting a bike in and out of there would be more trouble than it would be worth for me.  

 

But for someone with a larger and more durable shower one of these removable cleaning hoses would make washing a bike a snap.  I bought mine at Menards if anyone is looking for one locally and doesn't want to buy online.

 

 

Permalink Reply by David on February 5, 2011 at 10:25am

Thanks to everyone.   I'll admit that the shower never even occurred to me but it makes sense.   I'll probably give it a try.  I keep the bike inside, so I don't need to clean it very often, but these extremely snowy days just wreak havoc on it.

 


Joe Studer said:

+1 on the occasional wash in the shower (once or twice a month), and keeping the bike indoors overnight.  By keeping the bike indoors everynight, and wiping the bike off and lubing the chain liberally, I don't need to wash the bike that often.

 

You'd be surprised at how easily the shower cleans up after you finish washing your bike.  My wife initially balked at the idea of my using the shower as a bike washing station, but now it's just part of life with a biker.

notoriousDUG said:

The shower is a great option, especially if you have one of those shower heads on a hose. 

Personally I do very little in the way of washing, mostly because I am lazy, and rely on constant lubrication to keep things working fine.  I also keep my bike indoors so it gets thawed out and dried everynight.

Permalink Reply by Michael A on February 5, 2011 at 4:31pm

I have glass shower doors and a small bathroom, I have tried the shower method with no luck.

 

I have been very pleased with the results from this lube, keeps my pantsleg and my calf clean as well as doing a great job with lube.  I do suggest cleaning the drivechain with a good degreaser before changing to a dry teflon lube.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1030960_-1...

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