Cleaning/maintenance after messy road ride...

[Phil4000]

Commuted 20km in rain last night; great fun but my Boardman 8.9 without mudguards, is splattered.

I'm quickly realizing the advantages of getting a winter bike. Its not going to be possible to clean the bike after every winter commute, especially considering I sometimes get back late and will need to commute early next day.

Had a look at a few videos on cleaning after wet ride, some are saying use a hose, others avoid.

My thoughts are, hose down very lightly, avoiding the gears. Then wipe down with rag and mild detergent https://www.ecoverdirect.com/products/washing-up-liquid-1-litre/ewash1l.aspx?productid=ewash1l

Carefully rinse with hose.

With the gears and chain, is it ok to use an old toothbrush and the detergent that is linked? I understand its better to not hose down this part of the bike.

Advice much appreciated as always.

 

[fossyant]

Takes me maybe 5-10 minutes to give the bike a quick wash after a wet ride (it has mudguards) as it never really get's filthy, so it's easy. A hose down is OK to remove the worse. Just pay attention to ensuring the drive chain is oiled and free from gunk.

Gears and chain - on oily rag (old t-shirt) - wipe chain, wipe chain rings and run the folded rag through the sprockets - this doesn't need doing daily - weekly is more than enough. A quick wipe of the chain may be advisable.

 

[ianrauk]

Agree with Fossy. A hose down of the gears and chain ain't gonna cause you any problems as long as you rag down and re-lube

 

[Big John]

Get those mudguards fitted 👍

 

[C R]

Get those mudguards fitted 👍

A lot cheaper than getting a winter bike to which you'd want to fit mudguards anyway. Though it won't be me trying to put you off N+1

 

[simongt]

But do mudguards actually make that much difference in timing regarding aerodynamics, ir is it something we've been 'sold' and actually believe - ?
I keep mudguards on all year regardless. Keep me and the bike cleaner and less wet when it rains unexpectedly.

 

[Webbo2]

But do mudguards actually make that much difference in timing regarding aerodynamics, ir is it something we've been 'sold' and actually believe - ?
I keep mudguards on all year regardless. Keep me and the bike cleaner and less wet when it rains unexpectedly.

I guess it’s similar in riding terms as having sex with a condom or using an old bit of inner tube.😏

 

[Gunk]

I personally wouldn’t use a hose, water can end up washing grease out of wheel bearings, Ì use just one soapy bucket of water to clean it and a couple of microfibre cloths to dry it off.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Its not going to be possible to clean the bike after every winter commute, especially considering I sometimes get back late and will need to commute early next day.

Yes, I did this for many years: once you get home from a shift you simply don't have the energy or will to clean a bike.
Probably doable if you have the use of a garage, but hosing a bike down in the wet, dark, cold, at 8pm?
Not me lol
Nowadays I don't do lates followed by earlies anymore, but my bike cleaning routine is still the same: I don't clean it
If it was really wet, I'd roughly dry it with an old towel, give the chain a wipe, a light spray of GT85 on the gears and derailleurs.
Oil on the chain after a couple of really wet rides, or when it starts squeaking.
Once a year, in October, new chain and new cassette.
Proper clean when the clocks change again in spring, and new chain if needed.
Full mudguards all year round - I do live in Scotland!

 

[Webbo2]

I personally wouldn’t use a hose, water can end up washing grease out of wheel bearings, Ì use just one soapy bucket of water to clean it and a couple of microfibre cloths to dry it off.

If a basic garden hose not a power washer is washing out the grease in the bearings. Then a wet ride is likely to do the same.

 

[Phil4000]

Get those mudguards fitted 👍

Absolutely.

 

[Phil4000]

A lot cheaper than getting a winter bike to which you'd want to fit mudguards anyway. Though it won't be me trying to put you off N+1

True, but I want a gravel bike anyway. I'd use the road bike for dry conditions (where I can fully make use of speed), gravel for everything else.

Ideally 3 bikes; road, gravel, 'winter bike.'

First gravel bike would also be winter, then get a better gravel later.

 

[Phil4000]

Went and spent £50 on muc off products, Halfords sale.

Brushes, nano tech cleaner, chain cleaner, chain lubricant, multi spray.

Bit over the top perhaps, but will see how long it lasts.

Sunny day tomorrow, will give clean and report back.

 

[Phil4000]

Will add... My skinny road back tyre lost grip on metal man hole covers, a couple of times.

Nothing dangerous, but a bit of a surprise.

Wet riding is clearly a different science, I did reduce my speed, especially at corners and plan for longer braking times.

As life's idiots tends to drive more like idiots, in wet or icy conditions, I gave much more distance from cars.

Need to invest in bike friendly waterproofs.

Will probably mount an extra front light, plus flasher on my backpack.

Great fun though.

 

[fossyant]

Guards are essential for commuting. Nothing worse that a wet botty and private bits !