How often should you wash your bike?

[Lovacott]

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.

I do the drivetrain every other week mainly to remove any grit which might increase wear. I use fairy liquid, a dustpan brush and hot water and rinse it off with hot water from a watering can. Takes me five minutes.

The rest of the bike gets rinsed off with a bit of rain every third commute or so.

As for greasy marks on your right leg when you dismount, please post a video of your dismounting technique.

 

[Notafettler]

Just before it goes into the bike shop for some work on it.

A reasonablely good reason to clean it. I give a basic brush down, very basic brush down before cycling part of the way off road. They don't complain so I don't care.

 

[Notafettler]

I am fairly certain the dirt falls off of its own account. Eventually.

 

[I like Skol]

Just before it goes into the bike shop for some work on it.

I'm pretty relaxed about bike cleaning but this is one circumstance that'll definitely get me outside with a bucket of soapy water.

I avoid that problem by never taking my bike to a bike shop....

 

[fossyant]

Bikes filthy again. Needs a wash !

 

[Lovacott]

I avoid that problem by never taking my bike to a bike shop....

I can't think of anything which a bike shop can do which I would want to pay them money for?

 

[fossyant]

My son is out washing his car, so I've just snow foamed the bike. Will get the bucket and sponge out in a bit.

 

[12boy]

I wax my chains so never wash them. In the winter the roads are salted here so cleaning them is done when needed, perhaps when they are white when dry from crusty salt. The rest of the time a rag and some soapy water suffice unless it's caked with gumbo clay, at which point a hose is used. Cartridge bearings aren't too affected by low pressure water. I do rely on new odd noises to tell me when something needs attention, although that strategy doesn't work as well with a Brompton as they make noises even when ok.
I've never ridden in a Land Rover as that role is given to CJ jeeps or pick up trucks here with the odd old Toyota land cruiser but I really enjoyed the Antichrist in "The Gods must be crazy" movie,

 

[palinurus]

I avoid that problem by never taking my bike to a bike shop....

I don't often take them in these days. Occasionally I'll have something I can't do at home or sometimes I'll be too busy to fettle.

 

[Hover Fly]

I thumb my nose at your three day's sir.

I hold my nose at your 4 days+.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You should wash your bike every time you post a question such as this on here.

 

[I like Skol]

Checked my bike over today. Still good for a few more years yet....

 

[classic33]

I used to work at the factory where paraquat was made.

After gaining the reputation of a poisoner's best friend, the formulation was changed with the addition of an emetic, a chemical designed to make you vomit to prevent poisoning.

The emetic was known on site as "parapuke"

Now produced in Huddersfield, under the name Gramoxone250.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Get mudguards and flaps and spend long periods with a clean bike

 

[roley poley]

I clean the rims brake surfaces and faces of the blocks as a priority ..run a waxed chain and have mudguards the rest gets a rub over with a baby wipe or two when I can be bothered