Dirty Bike

[shades.5]

I know this sounds stupid but after doing a 70 miler road ride this sunday , bike has muddy road splashes over crank chain etc , does this need to be cleaned as soon as ride has been finished or can you go a while ( few rides ) before you clean it , and what is the best stuff to clean it with , thanks

 

[shimano]

depends how obsessive you are really - you can go the 'scrub with a toothbrush after every ride routine' or do what I do and clean it when it needs it, or somewhere in between. Hang on, had the last bike 12 years and never actively cleaned it once, rain does it for me

 

[roadiewill]

few rides

bike cleaner (usually pink shizz) from lbs

 

[Blue]

IMO it depends on how anal you are. If my bike gets very wet and muddy I would clean it immediately after a ride, otherwise I leave my machines for weeks with a bit of grime.

Bad soiling may invite corrosion or excessive wear. Minor soiling is a matter of choice - some like to have their bikes gleaming at all times, I don't care about such things!!

 

[monnet]

No need to clean after every ride - unless you get really mucky and wet.

Key things if it's dirty/wet - keep the chain mech clean and wipe the road grease of your braking surfaces.

 

[numbnuts]

muddy road splashes over crank chain etc

your lucky I get cow shoot on mine

 

[fossyant]

You dirty buggers...............

I clean the bikes every ride if they get mucky - the commuter get's washed with car shampoo after wet rides and then chain wiped and lubed.

The road bikes are cleaned a lot - anyone who's seen my Herety or Ribble will confirm I have OCD - I was called 'marrigold' by some of the lads in my club......

I just like my bikes to look nice, plus they last longer if looked after !

A little and often - takes no time - if you let them get mucky, they will take ages to clean !! Well that's my excuse !

 

[Blue]

- I was called 'marrigold' by some of the lads in my club

I suppose that's better than 'anal'.

 

[fossyant]

Oi..... is this anal ?????? OK

OK you got me.................

 

[Andy Pandy]

Fossyant - even the gear cable is lovely and shiny, nice looking bike.

Personally, I believe that a good layer of muck and grime actually protects the bike from further corrosion. I realize that I have nothing to support this belief beyond my own laziness.

 

[Scoosh]

Fossyant,
I'm not sure if "anal" is the word some might use, - for having Comp***olo pedals and Sh(ykw) Dura Ace gears

If I had as nice a bike as that, I'd probably clean it daily/hourly too

 

[Blue]

Oi..... is this anal ?????? OK

OK you got me.................

Well, put it this way; do you spend more than 10% of your 'bike' time cleaning the bike? If I spent more than 10% of my 'bike' time on cleaning duties I would consider myself to have my priorities wrong - but, hey, that's just my opinion.

To illustrate the sort of cyclist I am I can relate a tale when another cyclist I knew came up alongside me on a group ride and asked if I had a new bike. When I said "no", he replied "oh, you've just cleaned that one then" - speaks for itself, eh!

Don't get me wrong - I've got very nice bikes. It's just that, with the exception of the drivetrain, I don't clean them often.

 

[dodgy]

One of the things I do do regarding cleaning is make sure the chain is clean after every ride, no excuses, ever. It takes just a minute or so, hang the bike up on the wall, and use a rag to clean the chain off and relub once finished.

Easy and well worth the effort. I clean my bikes when they're dirty.

Dave.

 

[swee'pea99]

Where I live, a good layer of filth & apparent neglect is an integral part of security.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

When I went on a recent Forum Ride with Fossyant I did actually genuinely think he'd purchased his bike just minutes before meeting me... he did explain that it was nearer 18 years old, to which my face must have been a picture (albeit a scary one) as I quickly glanced at my own pride and joy and decided that my cleaning regime left a lot to be desired!!!