How often should you wash your bike?

[Anonymous1502]

I keep getting bike grease on the back of my legs I think it occurs when I get off the bike and by accident rub my leg against the casette. So part of me is thinking of giving my bike a proper wash and use degreaser and then put on some bike lub on the chain.

Is this a good idea?

 

[vickster]

When it’s (Really) dirty

chain marks on legs are a sign of a real cyclist who actually ride their bike in all weathers

 

[ChangFai]

Weekly for me.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Every hour on the hour

 

[rogerzilla]

Never, for the ones only used on dry roads. I just wipe them clean once a year. Washing always risks getting water into the bearings.

I wash my commuting bike annually. It does get four proper chain cleans a year, and all the chromed steel is smeared with vaseline over winter.

 

[fossyant]

Almost every ride for the MTB I'm afraid, and it's a big wash as it looks like it's come from a bog usually.

OP, it's most likely excess oil on your chain or front chain rings.

 

[ianrauk]

When it's needed

 

[numbnuts]

When I've got nothing to do

 

[I like Skol]

Never. Thread can be locked now

 

[BigMeatball]

I wash my bike once a year, when winter is over.

I wash my chain a bit more often, like every 2-3 months.

I hate doing both things.

 

[ColinJ]

When it’s (Really) dirty

chain marks on legs are a sign of a real cyclist who actually ride their bike in all weathers

A female colleague came out for an after-work MTB ride with me and her boyfriend. I noticed that she had an oily chainring mark on one calf and pointed it out to her. She replied that she'd had a chainring tattoo done to save her having to remember to rub her leg on her oily chainring every ride... (It was a tattoo, but I think that remark was a joke! )

 

[Drago]

My occasional bikes get cleaned whenever they're used. Those in regular usage get cleaned weekly.

Aside from the shinyness, it is an opportunity to touch and closely inspect evety component. Old pilots and bold pilots and all that.

 

[ColinJ]

My occasional bikes get cleaned whenever they're used. Those in regular usage get cleaned weekly.

Aside from the shinyness, it is an opportunity to touch and closely inspect evety component. Old pilots and bold pilots and all that.

I spotted this accident-waiting-to-happen while cleaning my bike!

 

[Globalti]

It's called giving the bike a coat of looking over. Proper square Land Rover owners learn to do it regularly.

 

[Low Gear Guy]

You should clean it when the mud is interfering with the operation of the derailleur.