To Jetwash, or not to Jetwash?

Roostoids

Yowzer

I ride XC and Trails on my full sus, tends to be either a boggy mudfest or a dry dustfest, either way, the dirts not good for the shiny bits of my bike.

My LBS tells me off for jetwashing and says it is for bad men who are bad.

My brain tells me it's the quickest/easiest way to clean the bike once I get home.

What is the general consensus on this?

NOTE; I'm talking a garden hose with a spray attachment here, not a Karcher jetwash, I'm not THAT stupid.

cooldad

A hose with a spray is fine, just don't aim a strong stream at anything with bearings. A proper jetwash is the work of the devil.

bluechair84

Jet washing is bad for bearings and seals, a hosepipe is fine. I however don't have an outside tap so use the local garage jet wash... I stand back so it doesn't take the brunt of the pressure only moving in on stubborn clumps. But, I will also happily service my BB, headset and hubs so even if they do seize I'll fix it up in 20mins. Never send a jet wash anyway near shocks though.

Roostoids

Thankyou gents, I figured this would be the case but it's nice to get others' opinions.

delcol

even with a bucket and sponge you can have the bike cleaned inside of ten miunutes..

i use a garden hose to rinse the sh1t off then spray with muck off (on a good day) just rinse off with hose chamios down then polish, lube, (on a normal day) hose down muckoff adgitate with brush or wipe with sponge then hose off chamios and polish... lube..

2wheelsonit

NOT - jetwashing is for patios and people who stand 4 foot away from their bike blast the mud, oil and lube off then amuse themselves by watching the pedals spin round from the force they then blissfully put it away thinking they have done a good job cleaning their bike... or they may them move on to blasting the seals from there car windows :shock:

Mental Mickey

I sometimes use a garden hose with a multi-option spray nozzle but am always careful to avoid sensitive areas. I find a bucket or watering can of water, combined with soft brushes and sponges just as effective, just not as fast.

Those proper jet washes are powerful things, I'd be inclined to avoid in case you damage any parts containing bearing and seals etc..

Thewaylander

Meh i jet wash the frame chain and all and avoid all bearings lol.

Mostly its a case of being sensible and how much time you have, for me the jet wash is a winter solution as its really fast when i'm too cold to stay out side

But most people are right, most of s blokes can't aim with water so best to avoid it

cooldad

2wheelsonit wrote:

then amuse themselves by watching the pedals spin round from the force :shock:

I love doing this.

Rushmore

cooldad wrote:

2wheelsonit wrote:

then amuse themselves by watching the pedals spin round from the force :shock:

I love doing this.

+ potato

Hairylegs66

A hose, soft brush and a warm bucket of water with cheap car shampoo in it and elbow grease will clean the grubbiest bike without degreasing all your bearings. IMHO it's best done asap i.e before you shower, change and your butt hits the sofa...

felix.london

Rushmore wrote:

cooldad wrote:

2wheelsonit wrote:

then amuse themselves by watching the pedals spin round from the force :shock:

I love doing this.

+ potato

This is one of the best things to do with the bike when you're not riding it!

mcnultycop

I got someone to jet-wash me whilst still in all my bike gear at the local petrol station a few weeks back, I'd brought half of the local trails/sheep crap home with me and didn't want to drip all over the floor. It was a ridiculously high pressure though and actually hurt my calves. I do jet-wash the big clumps of crap off (the bike) from a distance but stay away from complicated bits with the water.