Dirty/Sandy/Muddy?

[shawn_NJ]

I rode today after a few rainy days, and my bike and I were both covered with 2" of sand mud. I hosed the bike down real good, and lubed the chain/sprockets. Is there anything else you should do to it?

 

[Frosty]

that's more than I do... i just ride the hell out of mine.

 

[Flash-FX]

You should be cool with the hose in the bearing areas (bottom bracket, headset,wheel bearings,ect). The water always manages to get in those areas and create headaches later. I brush off the major stuff an call it a day. Been through too many $$ bottom brackets.

 

[Jetaddict]

There's some AWESOME stuff called White Lightning Clean Streak. You can get it at most good bike shops. It works great to cut through grime and gunk and washes off easy. Like Flash says, go easy with the hose-don't spray full force into the bearing areas, you will dry out those areas and cause premature failure. Get a good spray lubricant, and treat the pivot areas after you dry the bike.

 

[brett]

what about the derailleurs? use that same spray?

 

[Flash-FX]

what about the derailleurs? use that same spray?

I've found Prolink works the best for chains & derailleurs. http://www.progoldmfr.com/products/prolink.html

 

[shawn_NJ]

We crossed through 3-4 small streams today, so I didnt think the water from the hose was a big deal...LOL. But that does makes sense, and was one of the things I was worried about. I am using white lightening clean ride wax lube on the chain. What spray lube do you use that dirt does not stick too?

 

[shawn_NJ]

Clean the air box and wash and oil the air filter.
What bike do you ride?

This thread is for my mountain bike. But I do have a CRF230...lol

 

[Jetaddict]

The degreaser only needs to be used on the derailleurs if there is excess buildup. Otherwise, a brush and water works just fine. I use some generic spray lube on the moving parts-can't remember what it's called, but it's good stuff.

 

[Jetaddict]

We crossed through 3-4 small streams today, so I didnt think the water from the hose was a big deal...LOL. But that does makes sense, and was one of the things I was worried about. I am using white lightening clean ride wax lube on the chain. What spray lube do you use that dirt does not stick too?

Water from the hose is not a big deal...it's PRESSURIZED water from a hose that's bad for a bike. So if you wash down your bike, take the gun or nozzle off the hose- that'll prevent water from being FORCED into areas it isn't supposed to go.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I use an old TShirt most of the time. Rarely use water. Also a soft bristle scrub brush works also. A spray polish is good also to get the frame clean.

 

[WaveDemon]

We crossed through 3-4 small streams.today

if you're crossing streams it would be a good idea to use one of those frame protecting sprays that you spray INSIDE your frame to keep the steel from rusting from the inside. Most bottom brackets aren't re-greasable anymore. If you're anal you could pull the bottom bracket and wipe it down along with the BB shell. it would also be a good idea to re-grease your hubs too if they got submerged.


Or just ride the out of it and replace the parts as they start to make noise. :biggrin:

 

[shawn_NJ]

Or just ride the out of it and replace the parts as they start to make noise. :biggrin:

Nothing got submerged, but it rained alot the past few days and the trails were a mess. Thats probably the direction I am going in. If this hobby is anything like jetski'ing I will be on a different full suspension bike next year...lol.

I rode the MTN bike the past 3 days, becuase I am affraid to ride my dirtbike being its hunting season up here.

Water from the hose is not a big deal...it's PRESSURIZED water from a hose that's bad for a bike. So if you wash down your bike, take the gun or nozzle off the hose- that'll prevent water from being FORCED into areas it isn't supposed to go.

Only reason I have to wash the mud off of it, is because I store the bikes inside my house and I'd rather not have mud everywhere. If not, I would just brush it off as well.

 

[Sospikey]

I use an old TShirt most of the time. Rarely use water. Also a soft bristle scrub brush works also. A spray polish is good also to get the frame clean.

You'll kill your gear cables if you wash your bike all the time. I brush off the worst when wet, use a screw driver blade to clean the pulleys on the derailleur and the front sprockets. Wipe the chain clean with a clean rag. Carefully drip some oil on the side of the chain that comes in contact with the sprockets/casette, spin a few times. Wipe the fork legs/shock leg clean with clean rag, very lightly oil the surface and cycle the suspension a few times.

A couple of times a season I clean it. Wet it with the hose, use a sponge with little water, rinse, repeat.

I used to clean it every time, BAD idea. You actually CAN wash a bike to death!!!

 

[shawn_NJ]

You'll kill your gear cables if you wash your bike all the time. I brush off the worst when wet, use a screw driver blade to clean the pulleys on the derailleur and the front sprockets. Wipe the chain clean with a clean rag. Carefully drip some oil on the side of the chain that comes in contact with the sprockets/casette, spin a few times. Wipe the fork legs/shock leg clean with clean rag, very lightly oil the surface and cycle the suspension a few times.

A couple of times a season I clean it. Wet it with the hose, use a sponge with little water, rinse, repeat.

I used to clean it every time, BAD idea. You actually CAN wash a bike to death!!!

Lately I have just been washing off the tires, a quick wipedown/chainlube... and calling it a day.