Washed bike, now headset grinds

Anonymous

I'm sure this must be a noob issue (or at least I'm new to actually bothering to clean a bike, but then it's a new bike).

Got home yesterday after a muddy ride and washed the frame down (no wheels on so it was upside down), with a spray hose. Not a pressure hose as such.

Anyway, all the mud off, no problem, but then I find the headset has a gritty grinding sound when I turn it

So, have I done something wrong for a start, and what tips to sort out the grinding?


Thanks,

Tim.

llamafarmer

I'd avoid washing it upside down mate, water will pour into the open bottom end of the steerer tube.

As far as I'm aware though, you often get a bit of grinding in the headset after washing (I've had it on every bike I've ever owned). I try to avoid getting the headset wet as far as possible, but if it's been a really muddy ride you don't have much choice.

Anonymous

llamafarmer wrote:

I'd avoid washing it upside down mate, water will pour into the open bottom end of the steerer tube.

After I washed it and got the grinding I did think that maybe water (and mud I guess) has gone into the open bottom end and maybe it wasn't a wise thing to do.

I've got a portable washer thing I got from Halfords which is supposedly for cars (frankly not that great for a car), but works well for bikes. I might take it with me in the car when I go for a ride and use it to wash the bike down after before I dismantle it to put in the car.

supertwisted

As you've surmised, you've probably washed a bit of grit into your headset bearings.

If you're bothered by it, it's a simple job to take off the fork and give the headset a clean and regrease. Should be right as rain after that.

As far as washing is concerned, there are some that say use nothing but water in a bucket unless you want to kill your bike. Others say hose or bike-washer is ok, but avoid aiming directly at bearing seals and spray from a distance and never close up.

.blitz

llamafarmer wrote:

I'd avoid washing it upside down

I'd avoid washing it full stop. My Cannondale has been washed twice this year and it runs great. Dry lube the chain, make sure the fork tubes and rear shock are clean and it's good to go.

Anonymous

.blitz wrote:

llamafarmer wrote:

I'd avoid washing it upside down

I'd avoid washing it full stop. My Cannondale has been washed twice this year and it runs great. Dry lube the chain, make sure the fork tubes and rear shock are clean and it's good to go.

That's what I did with my old bike. Could barely see the paint for the mud . Was a rubbish cheap bike though. This being new and expensive, I thought I'd clean it every ride, but yeah maybe doesn't need to be.

I know the Fox shock on the rear does state not using a pressure washer on it, and just wiping it down. I tried to avoid the shocks but being upside down probably water ran down the frame into the steering tube.

.blitz

deadkenny wrote:

Could barely see the paint for the mud.

What - like this: Looks OK to me :twisted:

But seriously, the last few bikes I've owned have all suffered as a result of routine washing and using 'specialist' cleaners etc. I decided to cut back on it after rebuilding one bike for the second time and so far I'm happy with the results.

llamafarmer

I'm trying to mininise the washing now summer's rolled around and especially now I've got all those bushes to consider on the full sus. As you say .blitz, keep the drivetrain and shocks clean and the rest is less of a problem.

geordiefreerider

Would somebody like to explain how water down your steerer tube could have any effect on the headset when all it is is a hollow tube that the stem clamps onto, when you turn the bike back round the water simply runs out anyway !! :roll:

GTi-R23

geordiefreerider wrote:

Would somebody like to explain how water down your steerer tube could have any effect on the headset when all it is is a hollow tube that the stem clamps onto, when you turn the bike back round the water simply runs out anyway !! :roll:

+1, I regularly wash my bike when it's upside down, no negative results as yet.

boogercj

Don't forget, having a muddy bike makes you look much cooler, which in the end is the most important thing. Don't want to be riding around a bike that looks like it's never even seens puddle, let alone some tasty singletrack

.blitz

boogercj wrote:

Don't forget, having a muddy bike makes you look much cooler

It does?

Tentacles

All the way until you realise the buildup of grit / sand / general filth has put 3 months of wear on your drivechain in 20 minutes :-/

The Spiderman

Cleaning your bike is a good way of discovering any minor problems that need remedying,and will keep it looking good if you are careful.