Getting a bike properly cleaned?

youcancallmeal

I might be moving into a new flat soon. It doesn't have any outside storage and the back garden is not accessible from the rear. I'm going to have to store it inside or possibly carry it through the house to the back garden. Thing is I'm terrible for keeping my bike clean and its filthy at the moment, I can imagine if it was a wet day and I carry my bike through the house that it will be dripping oil and other road debris onto the carpets. I do give it a wipe down and put some oil on it every now and then but it gets dirty pretty quickly as I commute to work on it every day. so what I'm wondering is there somewhere/someone that will clean a bike properly? Like break the entire drive train down and degrease/regrease it. I could probably learn how to do it myself but I haven't really got the time or the space. Also I don't think I could justify buying all the specialist tools (Chainwhip, degreaser etc) for the job.

Captain Havoc

Throwing a rag and a mild cleaner at it a couple of times a week doesn't cost that much in time or financially.

DirkVoodoo

Where do you live and what type of bike is it?

youcancallmeal

I'm near Templeogue but might be moving to Rathgar. Its a Trek 7.7FX.
Am I right in thinking that you would need a specific lockring tool depending on the cassette? Mines a Shimano 105

pmcd22

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Throwing a rag and a mild cleaner at it a couple of times a week doesn't cost that much in time or financially.

Got to agree with Captain Havoc.. Keep it simple.. don't be wasting money every time you ride your bike.

Every one has there own opinions on degreasers to lubs.. depends on the conditions. some use viniger and water at a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle as a degreaser to washing powder.

Avoid WD40 as a lub. Lots of people say WD40 does more harm then having no lub

Wash down bike with soapy wather and dry clean with a rag

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EelVZ1xBwIw

youcancallmeal

What would people think about using a jet spray? I have access to one if I want it. I was thinking spray the hell out of the bike, let it dry and then just oil everything up after? I remember reading somewhere that this is not a good thing to do though, can't remember why?

DirkVoodoo

youcancallme>al wrote: »

What would people think about using a jet spray? I have access to one if I want it. I was thinking spray the hell out of the bike, let it dry and then just oil everything up after? I remember reading somewhere that this is not a good thing to do though, can't remember why?

No, no, no. You will just blast water in/blast grease out of the bearings (hubs/headset) and really mess everything up. Never use a pressure washer on your bike unless you are really, really careful or a pro-team mechanic with time constraints.

If your bike is getting dirty every week, just take care of the drivetrain, braking surfaces and cables. Superficial dirt on the frame isn't a big deal and the other things don't take much time to clean. Give it a thorough clean every few months, with more regular cleanings over the winter months.

The most important clean is right after you get home, just keep the chain and cassette from rusting.

EDIT: Blasting water at sealed surfaces/parts, you would want to be getting it back out with compressed air before it does any damage. I wouldn't recommend it.

CheGuedara

youcancallme>al wrote: »

What would people think about using a jet spray? I have access to one if I want it. I was thinking spray the hell out of the bike, let it dry and then just oil everything up after? I remember reading somewhere that this is not a good thing to do though, can't remember why?

Water can get behind the bearing seals and stay there - no bueno - don't do it.

What dirk said.

fat bloke

I find one of the most effective methods is like dealing with a stroke victim - the sooner you intervene, the less damage is done

If you can get into the habit of hosing your bike down as soon as you come home, first thing, and give it a wipe with a rag, it's a great discipline, even though if you've had a hard spin it may be the last thing you want to do. Particularly now with the roads the way they are - it rinses off 90% of the grit and muck and dirt.

You can always come back to it later and clean and re-lube it properly.

tomasrojo

If you can't easily get out to wash it, you can put down some newspapers and wipe it reasonably clean with baby wipes. Not as good as a thorough wash, but better than nothing.