newbie question

[bcipam]

UK - just a word of caution since there are mixed reviews on this. I would never ever think of using water on my road bikes but I did use a hose on my mountain bikes. Here in California I do alot of MTB rides through water, mud and sand. I just had to spend several $100 dollars having my Fisher rebuilt cause I got water in the bottom bracket and some other places. The mechanic has cautioned me to not ever again use water on the bike. If I do, no hose. Use a bucket and wash rag and very gently sponge off dirt being careful around the bottom bracket (this holds your cranks) and any place water can seep in. I've actually started cleaning my hardtail without water, and it's been surprisenly easy. I bought some large paint brushes and once the mud and sand drys, it was easy to brush it off and then polish the bike and give it a god lube. The mechanic also told me MTB and cross bikes ndon't have to be kept as clean as a road bike, a good "brushing" and lube is fine and then once or twice a year, the bike should be torn apart and thoroughly cleaned using solvents, and bike specific washing materials.