4 hours cleaning - excessive?

[Gixxerman]

After my 50 miler on Sunday, the bike was in a right state.
I had the day off work Monday to have my boiler serviced, so that gave me some time to clean the bike. It took me 4 hours, which is longer than the ride took me!

I took both wheels out, chainwheels off, chain off.
The cassette was cleaned with WD40 and a toothbrush.
The chain was thoroughly cleaned with WD40 and re-lubed.
The wheels and tyres were washed and dried including the hub and spokes.
Chainwheels degreased and cleaned.
The whole bike was washed with wash and wax car shampoo and then dried with a chamoux.
All cables runs were cleaned and oiled.
Front and read mechs were cleaned and oiled.

Given that the bike (Trek 7.3 FX) only cost me £400, am I being a bit too excessive with my cleaning regime?

 

[rh100]

sounds like a good thorough service

wouldn't do it every week though

 

[swee'pea99]

Yes.

 

[trustysteed]

a good clean of mine can take an hour and a half so yes, def way too long!

 

[snorri]

That would be a good thing to do once a year, but after just 50 miles??

 

[threebikesmcginty]

20 minutes it took me to clean a filthy bike on Sunday - did my daughter's Puky in that time too!

 

[redjedi]

Sounds good to me. I often spend that long cleaning my bike on a sunny summer weekend.

But only every now and again, if you start doing that every week I'll get a bit worried.

 

[XmisterIS]

I clean my bike like that, shouldn't take 4 hours though! Takes me about an hour, tops!

 

[Aperitif]

No. If dirty, clean it.

 

[trustysteed]

No. If dirty, clean it.

unless it's your wife!

 

[Debian]

If you're happy then it's fine.

My main "pride and joy" bike only gets about an hour though, even after a muddy XC ride. Excess mud washed off with low pressure hose, Muc-Off sprayed on, stirred with a brush and hosed off, aerosol chain cleaner used on chain and cassette then cleaned off with more Muc-Off and hosed down. Wipe off excess water with rag, allow to dry and relube everything.

Not allowing for the time to air-dry it's an hour, maybe hour and a half tops if it was covered in sticky clay.

But like I say, if you get enjoyment and satisfaction from a full strip and clean who are we to argue?

 

[Aperitif]

unless it's your wife!

Oh - I seem to just bin those...

 

[tyred]

I assembled my Peugeot from a box of bits in less time in that!

 

[potsy]

4 hours That would have to include a 3 hour power nap surely?
Agree with others though that sounds more like a service than a clean.
I'm sure fossy and ianrauk will be along soon to congratulate you on a job well done

 

[fossyant]

I'm sure fossy and ianrauk will be along soon to congratulate you on a job well done

Doesn't take me that long to do all 4..........

4 hours on one bike would include a full service as well, and a wax.