[SoeSach]

This may sound like a stupid question, but I'm expecting my road bike to arrive soon and want to learn all the basics I need.https://*****************.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/11/3/smile.gif

Should I just hose it off? or avoid too much water and use a wet rag? or does it just not matter? or is there some other method?

 

[Guest]

Should I just hose it off? or avoid too much water and use a wet rag?

either will do the job however if you choose to use your hose( )spray from a cpl feet away to avoid forced water into bearings etc.

 

[owensjs]

Cleaning brushes help get into the nooks and crannies as well. Depending on how muddy my bike is sometimes I'll just use a wet rag to wipe it down...other times I'll have a bucket of soapy water and brushes. When using a hose on it, I use a pretty gentle spraying nozzle to rinse it off from a distance.

 

[nauc]

i usually just use a wet rag. if its super dirty, i hose it off, being careful not to shoot into bearings or pivots

 

[bigkat273]

Toothbrush

 

[tbmaddux]

Splash of simple green in a 5-gallon bucket, fill it up and then repeatedly dunk brushes in the bucket and scrub, followed by a light rinse. Comes out good as new.

 

[TheProphet]

I use a product called Wicked Wash. As soon as I get back from a muddy ride, wet the bike down on shower mode, spray the Wicked Wash over everything, then just hose it off. Takes care of about 95% of the dirt and doesn't have degreaser in it, so it won't ruin bearings and such. Works great!

 

[Procter]

Clean it with your brand new kitchen £799

 

[oilnewby]

I clean with bike specific soap, also a chain cleaner tool.

Lastly I get out the compressed air and blow all water out of nookes and crannies.

 

[Rider76]

I clean with bike specific soap, also a chain cleaner tool.

Lastly I get out the compressed air and blow all water out of nookes and crannies.

Chain cleaner tool, what's that exactly?

 

[oilnewby]

Chain cleaner tool, what's that exactly?

Park Tool Chain Cleaner System

 

[CannondaleF9]

Use soap, rinse with water, dry with a rag.

 

[153stars]

Menards had a long bristle soft car rim / tire brush and "car parts wash tank brush" works perfect. I get cheap car wash soap from dollar general. These stores might not be everywhere. Also bought spray wax thats for use while drying a car that I spray on rag while drying " not on brake parts" JUST Soft rain from hose.

 

[dustyduke22]

Avoid the pressure washers like the ones you use for your car. It sounds like a no brainer, but I have seen many a bike get ruined by folks blasting high pressure water in bearings, bottom brackets, headsets and suspension pivots.

 

[Madman43]

WE dont have much rain here in So Cali, so I use a lawn blower to get the dirt off and it work well, also use a wet rag to clean the rest of the dirt off, then use a spray wax polish put it on a clean rag, then polish the bike with the rag.

 

[jerzey111]

I found this extremely helpful
How to clean a bicycle in about 15 minutes: How to clean a bicycle in about 15 minutes - YouTube