Can we wash our bikes like pros?

[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).