[mtbjc280]

So I had a snow day yesterday and I thought it would be a great opportunity to spend some quality wrenching time out in my shed with the space heater. New cables, derailleur adjustment, etc... I tried to talk S-Works into letting me hang out in his garage and help him build something, but because it was a snow day he was stuck with the kids (I guess he pokes them with his crutches or something).

The problem is this, before we got our current footage of snow on the ground I had done a few wet rides and had a fair coating of mud and slop all over the bike. I hate working on the bike when it is muddy, I feel like it scratches it up and sand gets in all the working parts. I obviously can't run the hose over it, and I don't really have anywhere to sponge it down (don't want to walk in a puddle of slushy mud in the shed). So what did I do? I threw it in the shower and rinsed it off with the detatchable shower head. I realize now I should have taken pictures.

This worked well except that:

1. It didn't quite fit so I ended up with muddy puddles in the bathroom
2. My wife flipped
3. the pile of sediment in the bottom of the shower (felt good on my toes the next day), not sure I should be flushing that down the drain.

So, short of disassembling the bike and cleaning it part by part (next snow day?), does anyone have any cool techniques for cleaning your ride when the hose is frozen? Perhaps I shouldn't worry about the dirt until spring? Perhaps I shouldn't worry about the dirt ever?

 

[rr]

Take the hose inside the garage or your shed, just drain as much water out of it first.

I found something that works well, take the (unfrozen ) hose and hookup a bottle of outdoor cleaner, the kind designed to clean windows, siding or whatever and just hose the bike down real good. Takes the dirt off and doesn't leave any residue like when you spray the bike down with water only.

 

[Unknownrash]

Let it dry then brush it off. if it really bothers you, get a 5 gallon pail full of warm soapy water and use a rag to sponge it down. Outside. So your wife won't kill you.

 

[mtbjc280]

Takes the dirt off and doesn't leave any residue like when you spray the bike down with water only.

That is a good idea, I worry about the water freezing on the floor though. Your in the same 'snowed in' conditions I am. Do you have a drain in your garage?

How much does the common biker worry about cleanliness? It seems like they are always telling you to clean the driveline, yet don't use water pressure, use environmentally safe cleaning products, watch the grease zirks, etc... Is there a standard out there, or is it actually just personal preference?

 

[rr]

That is a good idea, I worry about the water freezing on the floor though. Your in the same 'snowed in' conditions I am. Do you have a drain in your garage?

How much does the common biker worry about cleanliness? It seems like they are always telling you to clean the driveline, yet don't use water pressure, use environmentally safe cleaning products, watch the grease zirks, etc... Is there a standard out there, or is it actually just personal preference?

Nah, I just drain as much water out of the hose when coiling it up and try and make sure the ends are pointed upwards a little and lay it flat on the garage floor, a little water might come out but thats no biggie, it will evaporate.

I usually just hose the bike down after a messy ride, during the season I will go weeks without cleaning the bike in dry cond's, just a preference thing. The drivetrain is a diff story, you need to keep the chain/gears clean and lubed, especially in wet/messy cond's. I clean/lube the drivetrain, or at least check it, every other ride. The chain will need lube at least once a week if your riding the bike. I use a rag and wipe the chain down then lube the chain. If your cleaning the bike use a scrub brush on the cog and chainrings to get the old gunk off.

 

[S-Works]

Forget the bike. WTF is your avatar??

 

[mr magu]

Forget the bike. WTF is your avatar??

Looks like a Macro shot of his cassette?

 

[S-Works]

Looks like a Macro shot of his cassette?

Good call Magu. I was having one of those optical illusion things going. Or the drugs haven't worn off yet.

 

[cactuscorn]

take it outside, hose it down real good, wait for it to freeze (shouldnt take long), then start hittin it with a big ass hammer. all that crap just breaks off and walla! a clean bike!

 

[wrtaylo]

Bug Sprayer....

Seriously, I bought a bug sprayer (heavy duty) from Home Depot (or Lowes..cant remember). It kinda works like a mini pressure washer, not enough force to blow water into seals, but it gets the job done. Fill with hot water and clean away. Works well on the frame's nooks and crannies, not so good on tires.

Does not throw out a ton of water (like a hose pipe), so can be done with the bike sitting over a large beach towel.

RT

 

[mtbjc280]

take it outside, hose it down real good, wait for it to freeze (shouldnt take long), then start hittin it with a big ass hammer. all that crap just breaks off and walla! a clean bike!

What kind of hammer do you recommend? Ball-Pean, or mallet? Should I have it Push'd first? Should I go with a carbon handle for weight?

 

[mtbjc280]

Looks like a Macro shot of his cassette?

You called it, my attempt at trying to be 'artistic'. Don't think this makes me sensitive or anything. I can't figure out what that first picture S-Works posted is. Looks like Rob Zombie or something.

 

[mtbjc280]

Blow this up, makes your eyes hurt.

Good call Magu. I was having one of those optical illusion things going. Or the drugs haven't worn off yet.

Check this out, might take you back to the 60's.

 

[dHarriet]

What kind of hammer do you recommend? Ball-Pean, or mallet? Should I have it Push'd first? Should I go with a carbon handle for weight?

sledge! :thumbsup:

go big or go home!

 

[Unknownrash]

You called it, my attempt at trying to be 'artistic'. Don't think this makes me sensitive or anything. I can't figure out what that first picture S-Works posted is. Looks like Rob Zombie or something.

It also looks like a bunch of women from 1860 feeling each other up.

 

[S-Works]

It also looks like a bunch of women from 1860 feeling each other up.

Bingo. I'm surprised TA didn't get that one first

Jay, I believe CC's method is DT approved:thumbsup:

 

[Random Drivel]

Hilti

What kind of hammer do you recommend? Ball-Pean, or mallet? Should I have it Push'd first? Should I go with a carbon handle for weight?

I myself prefer a Hilti roto-hammer . . .