Cleaning/maintenance after messy road ride...

[geocycle]

I have the bikes hung on the garage wall which makes things like cleaning very easy without the faff of getting the stand out. The stand is great for some jobs of course but I realise I now just do things like cleaning the chain and drive chain while it’s on the wall. Could be an option for some folk.

 

[Drago]

100%! Coming back from work and cleaning the bike is a pita. Heck, I don't even do that when I'm on holiday!

This. In decades of commuting a decent weekly clean and in bad weather, application of Duck Oil to vulnerable parts prevented any corrosion. Biggs had my last decade+ old daily commuter off me and will doubtless attest to it's mintyness.

Daily attention of even a minor kind on a well maintained bike is pointless at best, a tragic waste of time at worst.

Only exception is bikes ridden properly off road in claggy weather, in which case removing mud is easier while it's still soft.

 

[rogerzilla]

Sonething with a single chainring and sprocket (but no chain tensioner) makes winter easier. Just re-tension the chain every few weeks, wipe and re-oil it every couple of months, and change it in spring. As well was easy cleaning and cheap chains, the chain tension means grit, etc can't derail it.

 

[mickle]

Half a bucket of hot water with car shampoo and a car wash brush. Work from the top down.

A properly 'mickled' chain will shrug off being washed thusly - but a set of full mudguards equipped with a proper front mudflap will eliminate the direct spray of road spray onto the transmission and greatly reduce your chain lube consumption.

 

[Phil4000]

Half a bucket of hot water with car shampoo and a car wash brush. Work from the top down.

A properly 'mickled' chain will shrug off being washed thusly - but a set of full mudguards equipped with a proper front mudflap will eliminate the direct spray of road spray onto the transmission and greatly reduce your chain lube consumption.

Thank you.
Problem with full mudguards, is that they may not be ideal for off road. I'll definitely be going the scenic route, when I get a gravel bike!

I'm having to use my road bike in rain for now, until I get the gravel. So may as well get the full mudguards for the road bike.

 

[simongt]

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.

Eeehh lad, back int' day we each had one bike if we were lucky and we made do, rain, hail & shine - !
Luxury lad, luxury 'avin' more than one bike - !

 

[Phil4000]

Invested in mudguards today; https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...ncludeFitting=false&dwvar_264488_colour=Black

Like the quick release option, can also put them on the gravel bike when I get it. £36 sale price.

Got caught in rain on the final part of a 10KM return ride. Definitely loads better! Not full coverage, but still quite good. Very light.

No perception of them on the bike, which is great. Climbs are the same, as are the downhills. Went over a bone rattling pothole by accident, had to stop and readjust back mudguard after that, apart from that completely good for 20KM.

These and my cleaning routine, and I'm sorted.

 

[Phil4000]

So had the chance (should I say necessity) of using the above mudguards in heavy rain and wind today...

The front splash is pretty irritating. You get used to it, but it does affect visibility a bit.

Kept me comfortable, but the back of the bike was a bit grungy, after a 20K round trip commute.

I think its full length mudguards for me. until Then use the SKS clip ons, Spring to early Autumn.