Can I power wash the gear sets?

Fatbiker

Hi. Dumb newbie question. Should I powerwash the front and rear gears/chain? Would the pressure damage anything? Thank, FB.

ashleey

I wouldn't power wash my road bike. Normal pressure from a garden hose should be enough. Wipe everything with a cloth an degreaser.

ashleey

Never spray a power washer into bearings

Jawgap

Short answer no - you'll blow dirt into places you don't want dirt and you'll blow lube out of places you want the lube to stay.

If you absolutely must use the power hose be careful of bearings.

You sometimes see the pro teams power hosing bikes but their bikes are looked after every day by highly qualified bike mechanics.

kincsem

My power washer takes paint off doors. It's too powerful for bikes imo.

Fatbiker

Thanks guys, I feared as much. Actually, it was during the Tour de France I saw a mechanic powerwashing a bike but, as you point out, they are servicing those bikes every night.

Can you recommend a degreaser and how often should I clean the chain and rings?

manafana

dont do it think of the poor bike :eek:

bcmf

If I really need to clean the chain I pop it off and drop it into a little container of diesel or kerosene. Same applies for the cassette. Diesel and kereosene will dissolves most dirt that has accumalated on the drivetrain Plus it contains a lubricant which means it deosnt fully dry out the chain and some drops of lube will have it nice again.
Make sure the cassette and chain are fully dry before you re-install.Use Gloves
The chainring dirt will usually come off with a dry cloth.
DO NOT GET DIESEL OR KEROSENE NEAR YOUR FRAME OR COMPONENTS AS IT WILL REMOVE ESSENTIAL GREASE.

feck sake lads

EH NO :eek:

Mycroft H

bcmf wrote: »

If I really need to clean the chain I pop it off and drop it into a little container of diesel or kerosene. Same applies for the cassette. Diesel and kereosene will dissolves most dirt that has accumalated on the drivetrain Plus it contains a lubricant which means it deosnt fully dry out the chain and some drops of lube will have it nice again.
Make sure the cassette and chain are fully dry before you re-install.Use Gloves
The chainring dirt will usually come off with a dry cloth.
DO NOT GET DIESEL OR KEROSENE NEAR YOUR FRAME OR COMPONENTS AS IT WILL REMOVE ESSENTIAL GREASE.

Kerosene is actually diesel less the lubricants and conditioners. I use kero but I'll still oil afterwords. It's as cheap as your going to get a degreaser anyways

bcmf

feck sake lads wrote: »

EH NO :eek:

EH NO....WHAT?

BX 19 wrote: »

Kerosene is actually diesel less the lubricants and conditioners. I use kero but I'll still oil afterwords. It's as cheap as your going to get a degreaser anyways

As I said a little lube will have it running luverly again!

Mycroft H

bcmf wrote: »

As I said a little lube will have it running luverly again!

Yep. And if you use the same container the dirt settles to the bottom and your left with practically clean kerosene.

3in1 afterwords. Yes I'm a cheapskate :P

bcmf

2 or 3 drops of 3 in 1 is what I use though I find that its a bit sticky and attracts dirt but since we have had more wet days then dry (cycling wise) I found it really protects the drive train.










Hey Cheapskate......meet your brother