Cleaning the Bike?!

[Jordyne]

So I'm just getting into riding and am doing about 15 miles rides (today was my longest at 23miles.) I had a tune up a month ago, but I have no idea how/when to clean it. I've watching videos on youtube about cleaning the chain, etc, but how many miles can I ride before doing so?

Can you please tell me the easiest way to clean it and how often it needs to be done? I don't have a trainer or anything to hold the bike down while cleaning the chain either.

Thanks!

[Owlie]

I clean my bike every 150-200 miles...or at least, I try. A thorough cleaning occurs whenever I look at my bike and go "EEW!" I do clean my bike same-day if I've ridden when it's wet.
This is a messy process; put down several layers of newspaper, a big sheet of cardboard, or do it somewhere where cleanup will be easy. A trainer makes it easier, but I've done it leaning the bike up against a wall.
I bought something like this: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._1030344_-1___
Except mine is Park Tools' version. (It's blue.) You fill it with degreaser (I use Park Tools' citrus degreaser), close it around the chain, and turn the pedals backward. You might have to change the degreaser several times so that the chain comes out silver rather than black. Once it's clean, I wipe it down with a rag and re-lube the chain. Then, I pop the back wheel off and use a rag soaked in degreaser to "floss' the cogs so that they come out shiny. While the wheel is off, I take a rag or paper towel to the inside of the brake and the brake pads themselves and clean those. I also clean the chainrings as best I can without taking them off. Then I put the wheel back on and clean out the front brake.
Once those are done, I wipe down the frame, rims and spokes with Lemon Pledge.

[westtexas]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Owlie.

I clean mine about once a week if I'm riding frequently. Out here in the dust storms and high winds, I go by number of rides and not distance. Even short ride will accumulate a ton of red west Texas dirt in all my bike's nooks and crannies.

My brother never cleans his bike because it says it makes you look like a "newbie". Personally, my skills show you I'm not a newbie and I like my bike clean and shiny. He's had to replace several chains now, I'm still on the original at 2500 miles and all the teeth in my rear-wheel cogs are still in perfect shape. Just saying, haha.

[TigerMom]

Oh Crap! I didn't know any of that. I think that I have road biked for about 600miles total now without doing anything.

Thanks Team Estrogen!
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[Cynedra]

awesome question and awesome answer. Thanks everyone.

[Bike Writer]

I clean my bike depending on where it's been ridden. If I've stayed on paths and other paved surfaces it can be a couple of hundred miles between cleanings. If I've been on a muddy dirt road it's right after I come back home.

By cleaning I mean with soap and water to the frame and components. Complete degreasing and relube of the chain and drivetrain is about 200 miles or so, again depending on where it's been and frequency of dirt road rides.

I like the technique from Owlie, good job!

[Jordyne]

Thank you all so much! I guess I need to do this asap! hah

[Kiwi Stoker]

Use carwash with wax on the frame- leaves a wax finish to protect the paint. Use degreaser (citrus ones are best, don't use car degreasers- to harsh) on the chain, wheel rims, cranks and any tough spots of grease on the frame.

We do ours outside either on grass or on concrete with the bike on a repair stand or leaning against a wall. A Chain cleaner machine (plastic body which clips over the chain) is great as you pour the degreaser into the body and use less than pouring it all over the chain.

[Jordyne]

Hey All,

I clean her! I even waxed her and she looks purddyy! Thanks for all the advice.
One question- I don't have degreaser, so I just scrubbed and chain/cassette and then lubed it up. Now that I've put maybe 100 miles on it, do I need to add lube again to the chain? How often do you lube just the chain? And must I get degreaser or can I add lube to a dirty chain? I don't have time to wash the bike every week.

[Teena]

Just kidding... if it's really icky, dirty or muddy, I clean after a ride or two. If the bike doesn't look dirty, I don't clean it. I barely have time to clean myself, let alone the bike!
Having said that, I can tell you it's been hundreds of miles since Gracie has had a bath.
I do lube the chain about every 100 miles give or take, depending on weather and road conditions, but I have never degreased the chain on any of my bikes. Not against it, just never thought they needed it.
I take her out into the yard and clip her into the Park Tool bike stand and wash with Dawn dish soap and a bucket of warm water, using a sponge on a handle for the frame and wheels, and a stiff brush for oily, gunky parts. I rinse with a gentle spray from the garden hose. I suppose I could do it in the bathtub if it was really cold or rainy outside.
I was thinking about getting one of those skinny brushes to go between the cogs of the cassette, but I was cleaning out the basement last week and found we already have one - never been used!
Enjoy your clean ride!

[Tri Girl]

BTW- I use Simple Green and it works just as well (and it's a teeny bit more environmentally friendly than specific chain degreasers).

I have a trainer, but never use it for cleaning. I go to the grass out back by our shed and lean it against the wall to clean.