To Jetwash, or not to Jetwash?

Roostoids
Roostoids Posts: 128
edited March 2012 in MTB beginners
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.
Specialised Camber Comp 2011
Boardman Comp Road 2011

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    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.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • bluechair84
    bluechair84 Posts: 4,352
    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
    Roostoids Posts: 128
    Thankyou gents, I figured this would be the case but it's nice to get others' opinions.
    Specialised Camber Comp 2011
    Boardman Comp Road 2011
  • delcol
    delcol Posts: 2,848
    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..
  • 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:
  • 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
    Thewaylander Posts: 8,594
    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 :p
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    then amuse themselves by watching the pedals spin round from the force :shock:
    I love doing this.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • Rushmore
    Rushmore Posts: 674
    cooldad wrote:
    then amuse themselves by watching the pedals spin round from the force :shock:
    I love doing this.
    + potato
    Always remember.... Wherever you go, there you are.

    Ghost AMR 7500 2012
    De Rosa R838
  • Hairylegs66
    Hairylegs66 Posts: 103
    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
    felix.london Posts: 4,067
    Rushmore wrote:
    cooldad 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!
    "Why have that extra tooth if you're not using it?" - Brian Lopes

    Votec V.SX Enduro 'Alpine Thug' 2012/2013 build

    Trek Session 8
  • mcnultycop
    mcnultycop Posts: 2,143
    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.