Cleaning my bike

steve9859

I have just moved to London and commute to work by bike - about 10 miles. It's a decent commute. largely down the embankment - high speed, few junctions, and a lot of fast riders.

But my bike, as you can imagine in the winter, is getting covered in city crud. I am looking for some advice on cleaning it.

BUT:
- I live in an apartment and have no access to a hose (I could use a powerhouse at a petrol station I guess - but Im guessing this isnt much good for the parts)
- I am not a bike expert so I dont need to be trying to take off chains, derailleurs etc.


So I guess I am looking at a bucket, a sponge and a toothbrush! But are there any particular substances anyone would recommend?

C3PO

You need one of these then!

http://www.mobiwasher.co.uk/

Plus some degreaser and lubes. Loads of information here and elsewhere online on bike cleaning and lubing!

spdmrphy

RPL1 wrote: »

You need one of these then!

http://www.mobiwasher.co.uk/

Plus some degreaser and lubes. Loads of information here and elsewhere online on bike cleaning and lubing!

I was always under the impression that power washers were a no-no for bike cleaning? - fecked up the bearings and what have you. Unless this is designed to run at a lower pressure or something?

Normal hoses are grand. I normally use a bucket of hot soapy water to give it the once over, then use a park tool cyclone yoke to clean the chain with degreaser. Let it dry, then re-lube.

It's only a fifteen minute job if you do it regularly enough.

07Lapierre

steve9859 wrote: »

I have just moved to London and commute to work by bike - about 10 miles. It's a decent commute. largely down the embankment - high speed, few junctions, and a lot of fast riders.

But my bike, as you can imagine in the winter, is getting covered in city crud. I am looking for some advice on cleaning it.

BUT:
- I live in an apartment and have no access to a hose (I could use a powerhouse at a petrol station I guess - but Im guessing this isnt much good for the parts)
- I am not a bike expert so I dont need to be trying to take off chains, derailleurs etc.


So I guess I am looking at a bucket, a sponge and a toothbrush! But are there any particular substances anyone would recommend?

Don't for get Water, detergent and "Elbow Grease"

C3PO

spdmrphy wrote: »

I was always under the impression that power washers were a no-no for bike cleaning? - fecked up the bearings and what have you. Unless this is designed to run at a lower pressure or something?

Normal hoses are grand. I normally use a bucket of hot soapy water to give it the once over, then use a park tool cyclone yoke to clean the chain with degreaser. Let it dry, then re-lube.

It's only a fifteen minute job if you do it regularly enough.

His issue is that he doesn't have access to a hose, normal or otherwise!

Mobi's and their like are not "power washers" - the point is that they are self contained so you don't need an outside water source. They spray water at a rate that is not much stronger than a garden hose with a nozzle!