q-tip cleaning obsessive?

[silver]

I've been cleaning my bikes for the last couple of days. I've been cleaning every last nook and cranny using q-tips when necessary. Mr. surveyed my work in progress and asked, "So, how clean does it really need to be?"

Am I being obsessive to clean everything to this degree?

What do you do?

[RoadRaven]

Ummmmm..... nope....
Good idea... but do the q-tips come apart and leave bits of "cottony" stuff in the crooks and nannies?

We use old toothbrushes.... but q-tips might be the way to go...

Road- I'm-obsessed-too -Raven

[KnottedYet]

little bamboo sticks and old t-shirts.

if ya can't ride em, clean em, eh?

[Kalidurga]

After reading that suggestion here at TE, I used q-tips to clean the factory gunk from between the links of the new chain I had installed last year. Worked very nicely. Now I always have a supply of rags, q-tips, and cotton balls (to wipe down my rims with rubbing alcohol) handy when I clean my bike, just in case.

Kali - You-can't-be-too-obsessed - Durga

[RoadRaven]

little bamboo sticks and old t-shirts.

if ya can't ride em, clean em, eh?

Excellent idea - thanks Knot

Raod- obession-is-good - Raven

[KnottedYet]

I find the packets of bamboo shish-kabob skewers (about $1) to be optimal. And you can mash/fray the end of one to make a little tiny "brush" to reach into difficult spots.

Knot "cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness"

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Silver-
Your cleaning method will not get your bike nearly clean enough. I can only imagine all the nasty germs and filth left in one's chain if using only Q-tips, BBQ skewers, and brushes.
Here is the method you should use, if not after every ride, then certainly after every other ride:
http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

[Mr. SR500]

I see nothing wrong here - clean away!

P.S. I just finished my cassette... removed from bike, soak, spray and hand dry each sprocket...

[Bluetree]

I wipe down my bike thoroughly after every ride.

Around every 200 miles (7-10 days) I'll take off her wheels, clean and inspect the tires for cuts and embedded material, wash down her chain and clean as much gunk off her drivetrain as possible, using Speed Degreaser if necessary, then relube with Boeshield. I'll get her bar tape nice and white again, and wipe down every spoke carefully.

About once a month, I take apart her entire drivetrain and soak or scrub her derailleurs, cassette and chain rings until she's showroom spotless. Then she gets a light carbon polish and a cable adjustment.

If I take care of my bike, my bike takes care of me!

[alpinerabbit]

You guys are obsessed.

I only ride my roadie in nice weather which means one cleaning a year courtesy of the LBS.

My boyfriend got blood oozing out of his ears from obsessive cleaning with Q-tips. Message!

[DirtDiva]

I'm on alpinerabbit's side here.

[alpinerabbit]

Says DirtDiva (nomen est omen...)

[Zen]

I looked at Sheldon's cleaning system and just had to click 'add to cart' to make sure

I only ride my roadie in nice weather too but it still gets pretty funky. I do a good cleaning about every third ride and yes I use q-tips

[froglegs]

I manage to clean my bike about once every 3 months. When Saturday morning comes, I tend to sit around and drink coffee for way too long, then I ride, and then by the time I get back it's time to do other things. Then on Sunday I do my long run, and after that laziness sets in. So yeah.... my bike doesn't get cleaned very often. I too only ride in nice weather. Maybe I should ride this weekend when it's raining, then it will get clean... sorta works for my car, anyway.

[RoadRaven]

I'm on alpinerabbit's side here.

Oh, well that stands to reason Ms Diva... just look at your name, you duuurrrty girl!