Cleaning off grit and salt

[Moby Jones]

As winter is fast approaching i need some tips on how i can easily and quickly keep my bike clean in the winter. I plan on using my Caad 8 all year but don't want to ruin it with all the grit and salt during the winter. Do i just need to give it a good clean with clean water to wash all the crap off it say every week???
Anybody got any good advice. I don't think i can get a second commuting bike till next year, she wouldn't go for it plus we have nowhere to keep it.

 

[gaz]

FULL LENGTH MUDGUARDS!

then a nice wipe down of the frame once a day with wet wipes will keep it nice and clean

 

[Moby Jones]

I was planning to get some good full length mudguards fitted, (SKS any good ?) i have a race blade on at the moment but that will not cut the mustard once the weather turns nasty. I usually wipe it down each day. I am lucky enough to bring it into my room at work and it sits beside me, i can usually and spend a bit of time on it each day.

My lbs suggested i put some good tyres on it, good idea or not?

Silly Cyclists, brilliant, keep them coming.....

 

[gaz]

mudguard, tyres etc.. is all dependant on the space the frame has.
I personally use the same tyres all year round, slicks few!

 

[DrSquirrel]

I'd never want to clean a bike inside :/

Wet wipes are good and cheap, a few does a bike and cost next to nothing - do that every day with a better clean every week or so and it should suffice.

You don't need to do much if you do it often...

 

[Matty]

Pressure washer. That'll learn it.

 

[fossyant]

Bucket of water and car wash and wax, and a sponge. Wash mine after every wet ride but I do like a clean bike, oh and it comes in the office at work.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Bucket of water and car wash and wax, and a sponge. Wash mine after every wet ride but I do like a clean bike, oh and it comes in the office at work.

+1 I bring mine in at work the floor is fine, except with melting snow so I go and put some cardboard under it.

 

[2Loose]

Get some crud guards to keep the worst of the crap off the drive train and frame, then a hose down and baby wipes + lube whenever possible. Unfortunately the 'train will still wear quicker than over summer.

 

[NormanD]

Buy one of These (can be bought cheaper in poundland) add a few drops of washing-up liquid with warm water and spray off the crud ... lift bike 6 inches off the ground and let it bounce down (to remove most of the water drips) .. wipe the bike over (old rags help here) and spray over with GT85 (avoid rims and brakes) or use a liquid car wax such as Turtlewax

 

[Matthew_T]

I have a big bottle of Muckoff (or whatever it is called). I rarely use it as dry clothes are sufficient, but I do need to get wet wipes as it would make life a lot easier (and cheaper).

I dont have mudguards on my race bike, but when in the rain, I end up getting home with my legs the same colour as the road.

 

[goo_mason]

I stand my bike in the bath and pull the shower head round out of the shower cabinet and wash the bike down with water and a brush. (I'm in a top-floor flat so taking the bike outside and hosing it clean is impossible!)

If there's no time for that, I use baby wipes - they do a grand job. They even clean the oil & caked-on crud from your chain, leaving it sparkly and ready to re-lube - and then they take the oil, muck & grease off your hands afterwards so you don't even need Swarfega!

 

[Matthew_T]

If there's no time for that, I use baby wipes - they do a grand job. They even clean the oil & caked-on crud from your chain, leaving it sparkly and ready to re-lube - and then they take the oil, muck & grease off your hands afterwards so you don't even need Swarfega!

Baby wipes are extremely useful. Just got some basics today from Sainsbury's, they are brill!

 

[TwoPosts]

As has been mentioned full mud guards are a must if your bike is out in all weathers day in day out. I learned the hard way, it cost me almost the entire drive train of my commuting hybrid after just three winters.

In addition I have one of these

Killaspray 7l pressure sprayer

In the winter months it needs to be kept above freezing but along with the obligatory Muckoff, it is capable of a reasonable amount of dirt shifting without removing the lubricating grease in the process. It also cleans my walking boots and other stuff where high pressures are not required.