Washing the Bike

[shouldbeinbed]

After every ride, unless I'm riding the next day. Car shampoo in hot water applied with a long-bristled hand floor brush, rinse with a gentle sprinkle of water then dry the chain. Every week I clean the brake blocks and pick out the grit.

I got one like this for £2.00 in ASDA yesterday - long soft bristles and a narrow head - perfect. I've thrown away the dustpan.

I do much the same. I've found one of the hozelock car cleaning brushes has slightly softer bristles & seems to get into the little nooks and crannies and behind the cranks a bit better & I hope it'll be less scratchy on the paintwork than a floor brush. It did cost me £6 tho

 

[ayceejay]

Only when there is nothing on the telly* and I bring it in and admire it once done.

*And when I am home alone

 

[Pale Rider]

a quick pump and away I go

Sounds like me first thing in the morning.

 

[frank8265]

Once a week: quick wash, good clean of the chain and derailleur, and a lube.
Takes me about 15 minutes max.

 

[Leodis]

Road bike gets a wipe down after every ride and decrease and re lube every 100 miles, the hybrid gets a full chain clean every week.

 

[inkd]

Wipe down and mickle the chain after every ride, degrease and proper wash once a month.

 

[screenman]

Bikes get a coating of TFR and a blast off with the jet when needed, and at the same time as the cars are being done. Lubed sometimes but not often enough.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Every ride, but if you saw the state of the single track Cheshire lane I live down you would understand the need - thick mud for most of it (my OH's car is a disaster area), getting too bad for 25c tyres in places - run off from local fields with horses in them & tractors going up & down lane. You can just about see tarmac in a few areas unless we have had torrential rain. wash, rinse and chain lube at the end of each ride/day. Thorough clean (wheels off, chain off, etc) once a fortnight.