Cleaning your cycle, how far do you go?

[oldandslow]

I'm not very good at cleaning my bikes. The OP mentioned a Brompton - I do that when I think I might not be allowed in the office if I don't.

Which reminds me...

 

[geocycle]

On the Ti bikes I mickle my chain after most rides in the winter, occasionally use a bit of degreaser. The frame and forks gets a wipe down with a damp cloth. The old steel rohloff commuter gets similar treatment once a month or when the mudguard needs clearing. Wheels get a clean once a month or so. I run a Spa elan in the winter and a Spa audax in the summer, both get a full strip down service each year.

 

[presta]

I used to clean and service the bike before I set off on tour, and then the grubbier it was when I got back home the better I liked it. If it had still been spotlessly clean it would have felt as if it hadn't been anywhere.

 

[PaulSB]

My LBS commented the other day that they see a lot more bottom bracket issues these days. Brought about by the high level of degreaser use.

 

[geocycle]

My LBS commented the other day that they see a lot more bottom bracket issues these days. Brought about by the high level of degreaser use.

Interesting, I wonder how degreaser gets near a bottom bracket? I could more imagine high pressure washers being problematic if not carefully directed.

 

[mickle]

Brompton owners are often terrible for neglecting their bikes. Things have improved a bit with the move to better rims, but they used to be really soft alu. The back rim in particular would get filthy from spray off the front tyre and the brake blocks would capture grit and wear the rim to death. Exploding rims was a very common event. The worst i ever saw was the Sustrans Head Office pool bike. That poor thing was just ridden into the ground.

 

[PaulSB]

Interesting, I wonder how degreaser gets near a bottom bracket? I could more imagine high pressure washers being problematic if not carefully directed.

His theory is people aren't careful with it. Slapped all over the chain rings etc. then being blasted off with a hose perhaps?

Next time I'm in I'll ask the question. I just accepted the professional view without much thought.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Brompton owners are often terrible for neglecting their bikes. Things have improved a bit with the move to better rims, but they used to be really soft alu. The back rim in particular would get filthy from spray off the front tyre and the brake blocks would capture grit and wear the rim to death. Exploding rims was a very common event. The worst i ever saw was the Sustrans Head Office pool bike. That poor thing was just ridden into the ground.

Guilty as charged. When I was riding my Brompton regularly all I ever did to it was put a bit of air in the tyres occasionally. There's something about a Brompton that says "I'm not a real bike. Normal rules don't apply to me".

It got into a horrible state but fortunately I never did enough miles on it to damage it.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

His theory is people aren't careful with it. Slapped all over the chain rings etc. then being blasted off with a hose perhaps?

Next time I'm in I'll ask the question. I just accepted the professional view without much thought.

Maybe using a power washer with one of those attachments that sprays foam all the thing you are washing??

 

[Dogtrousers]

Maybe using a power washer with one of those attachments that sprays foam all the thing you are washing??

I imagine that aiming a power washer as close to the BB bearing seals as possible might be effective in (a) getting rid of gunk and grot stuck behind the cranks and (b) doing your bearings a mischief.

I don't have a power washer.

 

[Gwylan]

Full pressure wash with the soapy car wash brush. Shocking amount of muck came off.

Checked the tyres, they were a bit soggy. Explains some of the handling yesterday.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Re: the thread title - I don't go very far at all while cleaning my bike. My riding is generally occurring after it's been cleaned.

(yes, I know: "That wasn't funny! On yer bike!")

 

[HLaB]

Another here who says life is too short to wax a chain. @mickle method is all you need to keep a chain nice, clean and working well.

I like to keep all my bikes nice and clean as a matter of course. Not only do they run/ride better. When you are cleaning bikes regularly you do become a little more aware of any impending problems or issues.

I've swapped to drip wax, I still Mickle and don't have the hassle of a full wax and its a lot cleaner. If you leave your chain 2-3 weeks after a wet ride you can get surface rust but I'd never leave a chain that long anyway.

Edit: I use the aforementioned Squirt