Bike Cleaning - What Works For You?

bennett_346

Monkeymuff wrote:

Mountain bikes look crap all sparkly,I think Santacruz recently displayed some of their new bikes all muddy,looked so much better in my opinion.
I leave my Whyte 905 all nice and dirty but keep the drivetrain well maintained.

Disagree, they should be clean and shiny all the time

Also, great username. You'll fit right in.

Monkeymuff

bennett_346 wrote:

Monkeymuff wrote:

Mountain bikes look crap all sparkly,I think Santacruz recently displayed some of their new bikes all muddy,looked so much better in my opinion.
I leave my Whyte 905 all nice and dirty but keep the drivetrain well maintained.

Disagree, they should be clean and shiny all the time

Also, great username. You'll fit right in.

Thanks bennett_346 (that isn't such a great username) I jest! But can't bring myself to use a smiley ....Oh crap!

UncleMonty

[quote="bennett_346"
The lube doesn't ever properly get back into the rollers.[/quote]

I don't see why not, how does it get there in the first place.

I keep one chain in a jar of white spirit while I use the other, swap it every month or so, rinse well & leave to dry before it's re-fitted & well lubed.

natrix

Monkeymuff wrote:

I leave my Whyte 905 all nice and dirty but keep the drivetrain well maintained.

Agree with this, but then I commute off-road on mine so don't want wash every day.

njee20

Must say I do prefer mine to look nice, but draw the line at spending an hour plus on it regularly, it's unnecessary!

allthegearnoidea

As with njee, Sorting mine takes 20 mins, if I go a bit mad and clean the cut outs in the hub flanges etc. It takes about 10 mins longer lol!

Nick Cod

I've used Muc-Off and found it to be ok. However CRC also do Hope Sh*t Shifter, and I've been usung this more recently and found it to be really good. I also use a chain cleaner with citrus degreaser and some cleaning brushes for chains and cassettes and GT85 where necessary.

Also if I'm cleaning one of the Mtbs I'll use meths on the disc rotors with a clean rag

Routine
- Spray on sh*t shifter
- Hose down and scrub off and dirt from frame and forks with frame brushs
- Clean chain with chain cleaner and degreaser
- Scrub cassette, chainset and mechs with differnt brush to that used on the frame
- Hose down chain, cassette and chainset
- Apply GT85 to chain, cassette and mechs to remove access water
- Clean discs with meths and clean dry cloth (if applicable)
- Wipe bike down so fully dry
- Apply new Muc off or Finish line lube (wet or dry condition dependant)
- Put bike away ready for next ride

allthegearnoidea

The Meths will leave a residue on the discs fella!

Nick Cod

Never had any problems so far, however open to alternative suggestions

njee20

Don't do anything? Your rotors don't really get dirty...

allthegearnoidea

I leave miné as they are but for cleaning them use isopropyL alcohol

njee20

Must say I thought meths was fine for rotors, white spirit certainly isn't, but as I say I reckon you're best to just leave alone.

lochussie

Due to lack of hose and laziness I've recently started jet washing, no probs so far, we'll see if that lasts. Not sure why you would bother drying your bike though. A few bumps on the pavement and it's dry enough to stick in the spare room.