Can we wash our bikes like pros?

[Aquila]

Some days, it would be really nice to have someone else clean up the bike and make sure everything's perfect for the next time.

[papaver]

Some days, it would be really nice to have someone else clean up the bike and make sure everything's perfect for the next time.

Well, not for me. It's part of the fun. I like to wash my bike. I see it as my favor in return. If you wash your bike often it only takes about 10 mins or so. Of course in summertime I wash my bike less. In the wintertime when the roads are muddy I wash it after every ride.

[OakLeaf]

If you wash your bike often it only takes about 10 mins or so.

How come it always takes me an hour??

Whether it's a little bit of dirt or a lot, in between the parts of the brake calipers, on the derailleur springs, between the rear cogs, etc., it's still a PITA trying to get it out of there...

Friend of mine says he removes the cassette every time for cleaning! I thought that lockring was only good for one use? That teeny little crush washer is DEFINITELY a single use item and I don't know where the heck you'd get a replacement, it's hard enough finding the big crush washers for oil drain plugs on the motorized vehicles!

[papaver]

I don't dismantle anything. I just don't know enough about the mechanics to do so... Yet.

I just use a toothbrush, other special brushes, two sponges, a special chain cleaner, and that's about it.

[Pedal Wench]

I thought that lockring was only good for one use? That teeny little crush washer is DEFINITELY a single use item and I don't know where the heck you'd get a replacement, it's hard enough finding the big crush washers for oil drain plugs on the motorized vehicles!

??? Really? I always reuse mine - and I move my cassettes around from wheel to wheel, and remove it to clean the cassettes too. I wonder why it would be a one-time use item?

[OakLeaf]

Because deforming the metal creates pressure that enhances the lock.

Once the metal has been deformed and thinned in places, it can't create the pressure it's intended to exert.

I will say that I was surprised to find a crush washer in that location. I'm used to seeing them only as seals in pressurized fluid systems (oil or coolant). But by definition, a crush washer is meant for a single use.

And I've never seen a crush washer so thin! Those are practically foil.

[Pedal Wench]

Mmm. I think that's only on Shimano. My Campy 10-speed lock rings have been used repeatedly with no ill effects.

[Jen72]

Pedal wrench and Oakleaf:

What is a cassette and where is this little thin washer you are talking about? Thanks in advance.

[SadieKate]

Pedal wrench and Oakleaf:

What is a cassette and where is this little thin washer you are talking about? Thanks in advance.

The cassette is the rear cog cluster. The lock washer is between the cassette and the lock ring, and is actually attached to the lock ring. You'd have to pry it off the lockring to get it out.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=48

[SadieKate]

Because deforming the metal creates pressure that enhances the lock.

Once the metal has been deformed and thinned in places, it can't create the pressure it's intended to exert.

I will say that I was surprised to find a crush washer in that location. I'm used to seeing them only as seals in pressurized fluid systems (oil or coolant). But by definition, a crush washer is meant for a single use.

And I've never seen a crush washer so thin! Those are practically foil.

It's not a crush washer. It's just a spring steel lock washer. It doesn't stay deformed once tightened and removed.

You don't need to replace it unless you lose it.

I swap cassettes frequently with not a problem. So do the pros race to race.

[OakLeaf]

It's not a crush washer. It's just a wavy spring steel lock washer. It doesn't stay deformed once tightened and removed.

You don't need to replace it unless you lose it.

I swap cassettes frequently with not a problem. So do the pros race to race.

There's a crush washer in my 105 cassette. Shimano's exploded parts fiche doesn't even show it, but it's there. As I said, it's extremely thin, maybe half again the weight of heavy-duty aluminum foil. It goes under the "wavy" lock ring. The old one was definitely permanently deformed. I guess if it's not in the parts fiche, maybe it isn't necessary??

Don't know about any other brands or models, but I guess I'd be surprised if all Shimano cassettes didn't have them.


ETA: off topic, but hmmmmmm - Shimano's site says not to use the Ultegra cassette with a triple crank. Didn't know that. If Ultegra had been available in 11-25 as I wanted, I would've gone that way. Lucky.

[kfergos]

Well, not for me. It's part of the fun. I like to wash my bike. I see it as my favor in return. If you wash your bike often it only takes about 10 mins or so. Of course in summertime I wash my bike less. In the wintertime when the roads are muddy I wash it after every ride.

I agree. I like seeing my bike gleaming after all the work I put in to get it clean. I second the comment about frequent cleaning, too.

I've been using Pedro's Green Fizz lately, and it does clean stuff off pretty well, but I think when it runs out I'll just go back to castille soap and water. The Green Fizz costs more than it's worth, in my opinion. For rinsing my bike I like to use a water bottle to squirt water. It's enough force to get gunk off, but not so much to get in the bearings (unless you have way stronger hands than I do! ).

Keep old tooth brushes for cleaning the cassette -- works like a charm. Just spray some of your lube on there and brush the teeth in sections, wiping off with a rag periodically. Voila! Clean cassette, no removal necessary.

[OakLeaf]

I use the Park Tool cog brush. It's the only special cleaning tool that's worth the money, IMO. Toothbrush bristles are too short for getting in between the larger cogs. The Park Tool brush has long bristles and a narrow profile, and slips right in. Toothbrushes are nice for the rims and spokes (although one advantage to frequent cleaning is that the spokes usually clean up with a rag).

For the narrower spaces between the pieces of the brake calipers I still find that a shop rag or folded heavy paper towel works better, though. And there are some of those nooks and crannies in the derailleurs, particularly, that I just use a narrow punch or a pick to manipulate a heavy paper towel (the "Shop Rags in a Box" type, which also come in rolls at the hardware store).