Cleaning your bike... - Page 2

06-29-2004, 06:04 PM

Rick Onanian wrote:
> On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:32:24 -0400, "gusmeister"
> <gusmeister_NOSPAM_@sympatico.ca> wrote:

>> I take my hybrid on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. What is the best
>> way to clean the bike?

> Hah! So you come here and ask? You're about to get deluged with
> hundreds of even more different opinions!

I disagree with that!

Bill "but you may be right" S.

06-29-2004, 07:20 PM

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:32:24 -0400, gusmeister wrote:

> I take my hybrid on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. What is the best way to
> clean the bike?

not really an answer to your question, and tangential to be sure, but I
find the best way to keep my bike's drivetrain happy is to use fenders.
Even in the dry, they keep a considerable amount of road "dust" from the
fragile bits.

Grease for bearings, and dry lube for the exposed bits is my mantra.
Grease is underbar as a lube, and unfortunately also a magnet for shmutz
if out in the open. After I lube my chain, even with the "dry" lube, I let
it soak, crank the sucker a few times to let it get at the secret bits,
then scrub the chain completely dry with a rag so it isn't a dirt magnet.

As I've posted before, I'm a Simple Green and toothbrush kinda guy. Scrub
and hose with low pressure. Don't know if it's not good for paint--but my
current ride's finish is not something I take pride in. LOL

06-29-2004, 07:20 PM

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:32:24 -0400, gusmeister wrote:

> I take my hybrid on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. What is the best way to
> clean the bike?

not really an answer to your question, and tangential to be sure, but I
find the best way to keep my bike's drivetrain happy is to use fenders.
Even in the dry, they keep a considerable amount of road "dust" from the
fragile bits.

Grease for bearings, and dry lube for the exposed bits is my mantra.
Grease is underbar as a lube, and unfortunately also a magnet for shmutz
if out in the open. After I lube my chain, even with the "dry" lube, I let
it soak, crank the sucker a few times to let it get at the secret bits,
then scrub the chain completely dry with a rag so it isn't a dirt magnet.

As I've posted before, I'm a Simple Green and toothbrush kinda guy. Scrub
and hose with low pressure. Don't know if it's not good for paint--but my
current ride's finish is not something I take pride in. LOL

06-29-2004, 07:20 PM

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:32:24 -0400, gusmeister wrote:

> I take my hybrid on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. What is the best way to
> clean the bike?

not really an answer to your question, and tangential to be sure, but I
find the best way to keep my bike's drivetrain happy is to use fenders.
Even in the dry, they keep a considerable amount of road "dust" from the
fragile bits.

Grease for bearings, and dry lube for the exposed bits is my mantra.
Grease is underbar as a lube, and unfortunately also a magnet for shmutz
if out in the open. After I lube my chain, even with the "dry" lube, I let
it soak, crank the sucker a few times to let it get at the secret bits,
then scrub the chain completely dry with a rag so it isn't a dirt magnet.

As I've posted before, I'm a Simple Green and toothbrush kinda guy. Scrub
and hose with low pressure. Don't know if it's not good for paint--but my
current ride's finish is not something I take pride in. LOL

06-29-2004, 07:20 PM

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:32:24 -0400, gusmeister wrote:

> I take my hybrid on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. What is the best way to
> clean the bike?

not really an answer to your question, and tangential to be sure, but I
find the best way to keep my bike's drivetrain happy is to use fenders.
Even in the dry, they keep a considerable amount of road "dust" from the
fragile bits.

Grease for bearings, and dry lube for the exposed bits is my mantra.
Grease is underbar as a lube, and unfortunately also a magnet for shmutz
if out in the open. After I lube my chain, even with the "dry" lube, I let
it soak, crank the sucker a few times to let it get at the secret bits,
then scrub the chain completely dry with a rag so it isn't a dirt magnet.

As I've posted before, I'm a Simple Green and toothbrush kinda guy. Scrub
and hose with low pressure. Don't know if it's not good for paint--but my
current ride's finish is not something I take pride in. LOL

06-29-2004, 07:20 PM

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:32:24 -0400, gusmeister wrote:

> I take my hybrid on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. What is the best way to
> clean the bike?

not really an answer to your question, and tangential to be sure, but I
find the best way to keep my bike's drivetrain happy is to use fenders.
Even in the dry, they keep a considerable amount of road "dust" from the
fragile bits.

Grease for bearings, and dry lube for the exposed bits is my mantra.
Grease is underbar as a lube, and unfortunately also a magnet for shmutz
if out in the open. After I lube my chain, even with the "dry" lube, I let
it soak, crank the sucker a few times to let it get at the secret bits,
then scrub the chain completely dry with a rag so it isn't a dirt magnet.

As I've posted before, I'm a Simple Green and toothbrush kinda guy. Scrub
and hose with low pressure. Don't know if it's not good for paint--but my
current ride's finish is not something I take pride in. LOL

06-29-2004, 11:33 PM

"gusmeister" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> schreef in bericht
news:nTnEc.76461$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> I take my hybrid on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. What is the best way to
> clean the bike? I found hundreds of websites on this topic but each one
> seems to have different opinions. Here's what I've gathered so far:
>
> - spray the gears+drivetrain with a degreaser and let it sit for a while
> - hose down the whole bike with low-power waterhose
> - with a sponge and brush, use bucket of water+dishwashing liquid to
clean
> every part of the bike
> - apply lube to gears+drivetrain
>
> Some people say not to use lube but to use grease. Then there's dry
grease
> and wet grease. Some people say not to use WD-40 because it is not a true
> degreaser (but a water displacer) while other think it's the best. Some
> people say that dishwashing liquid can permanently damage the bike's
> coating.
>
> So I thought I'd ask the pros. Any feedback would be welcome.
>
>
>
>
I guess I'm an expert: see [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
(I'm the guy in the first and nineth picture)

- I use only water and dishwasher for the bike. Indeed, sponge and warm
water after a treatment with waterhose.Permanent damage to bike coating?
Never noticed it.
- I never have to degrease the drivetrain because I use a dry lube
consisting of graphite and paraffin ([Only registered and activated users can see links. ])
- I remove the chain and it goes into a kerosine bath for several days. Then
I re-grease it with supremeblack.

06-29-2004, 11:33 PM

"gusmeister" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> schreef in bericht
news:nTnEc.76461$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> I take my hybrid on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. What is the best way to
> clean the bike? I found hundreds of websites on this topic but each one
> seems to have different opinions. Here's what I've gathered so far:
>
> - spray the gears+drivetrain with a degreaser and let it sit for a while
> - hose down the whole bike with low-power waterhose
> - with a sponge and brush, use bucket of water+dishwashing liquid to
clean
> every part of the bike
> - apply lube to gears+drivetrain
>
> Some people say not to use lube but to use grease. Then there's dry
grease
> and wet grease. Some people say not to use WD-40 because it is not a true
> degreaser (but a water displacer) while other think it's the best. Some
> people say that dishwashing liquid can permanently damage the bike's
> coating.
>
> So I thought I'd ask the pros. Any feedback would be welcome.
>
>
>
>
I guess I'm an expert: see [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
(I'm the guy in the first and nineth picture)

- I use only water and dishwasher for the bike. Indeed, sponge and warm
water after a treatment with waterhose.Permanent damage to bike coating?
Never noticed it.
- I never have to degrease the drivetrain because I use a dry lube
consisting of graphite and paraffin ([Only registered and activated users can see links. ])
- I remove the chain and it goes into a kerosine bath for several days. Then
I re-grease it with supremeblack.

06-29-2004, 11:33 PM

"gusmeister" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> schreef in bericht
news:nTnEc.76461$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> I take my hybrid on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. What is the best way to
> clean the bike? I found hundreds of websites on this topic but each one
> seems to have different opinions. Here's what I've gathered so far:
>
> - spray the gears+drivetrain with a degreaser and let it sit for a while
> - hose down the whole bike with low-power waterhose
> - with a sponge and brush, use bucket of water+dishwashing liquid to
clean
> every part of the bike
> - apply lube to gears+drivetrain
>
> Some people say not to use lube but to use grease. Then there's dry
grease
> and wet grease. Some people say not to use WD-40 because it is not a true
> degreaser (but a water displacer) while other think it's the best. Some
> people say that dishwashing liquid can permanently damage the bike's
> coating.
>
> So I thought I'd ask the pros. Any feedback would be welcome.
>
>
>
>
I guess I'm an expert: see [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
(I'm the guy in the first and nineth picture)

- I use only water and dishwasher for the bike. Indeed, sponge and warm
water after a treatment with waterhose.Permanent damage to bike coating?
Never noticed it.
- I never have to degrease the drivetrain because I use a dry lube
consisting of graphite and paraffin ([Only registered and activated users can see links. ])
- I remove the chain and it goes into a kerosine bath for several days. Then
I re-grease it with supremeblack.

06-29-2004, 11:33 PM

"gusmeister" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> schreef in bericht
news:nTnEc.76461$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
> I take my hybrid on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. What is the best way to
> clean the bike? I found hundreds of websites on this topic but each one
> seems to have different opinions. Here's what I've gathered so far:
>
> - spray the gears+drivetrain with a degreaser and let it sit for a while
> - hose down the whole bike with low-power waterhose
> - with a sponge and brush, use bucket of water+dishwashing liquid to
clean
> every part of the bike
> - apply lube to gears+drivetrain
>
> Some people say not to use lube but to use grease. Then there's dry
grease
> and wet grease. Some people say not to use WD-40 because it is not a true
> degreaser (but a water displacer) while other think it's the best. Some
> people say that dishwashing liquid can permanently damage the bike's
> coating.
>
> So I thought I'd ask the pros. Any feedback would be welcome.
>
>
>
>
I guess I'm an expert: see [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
(I'm the guy in the first and nineth picture)

- I use only water and dishwasher for the bike. Indeed, sponge and warm
water after a treatment with waterhose.Permanent damage to bike coating?
Never noticed it.
- I never have to degrease the drivetrain because I use a dry lube
consisting of graphite and paraffin ([Only registered and activated users can see links. ])
- I remove the chain and it goes into a kerosine bath for several days. Then
I re-grease it with supremeblack.