thought about this yesterday when getting ready to head out for a while. there were a few spots on the frame and a couple bug splats left over from Friday which i missed cleaning when i got back. i could not take off until after i wiped it down clean.
are you okay starting off with a messy bike or does it need to be clean and have that sparkly sheen?
what about before a race? do you wipe it down after the drive there on the rack with bug splats, or worse, that accumulated on the way?
I clean it when I can’t make out the stickers any more…
I clean mine about 1x a month. Don’t hurt the dirt.
Always, always clean it before a race. When not racing, wipe it odwn once a weak, clean the chain at least once every two weeks.
Spotless. I’m the same as you - won’t ride until it is clean. Not just for appearences sake, but the best way to catch little problems before they become bigger ones is to give things a regular, thorough going over.
Spotless, always!
I’m with Gopha - always clean yer bike before a race. It looks faster that way - therefore it IS faster that way.
I clean the frame every coupla rides, as needed.
Lube chain at least every other ride, if not before every ride.
Major spring cleaning type deal once a season.
yeah. i can see it now though. next race, Great Lakes, someone’s gonna come up with a glass to check it out.
i just feel better when its clean…maybe a little faster too.
Keep it spotless. A dirty bike is a shmeful bike.
Race bike, cleaned when visibly dirty.
Commuter bike, cleaned when being taken in for a tuneup. I usually find I no longer need the tune-up.
My Kestrel Talon SL is ‘wiped clean’ after every ride (6d/wk), front wheel removed then carefully placed on rollers. Wheels are wiped clean and then placed in bags. Chain is cleaned every 400 miles.
tri-bike is my training & race bike, so it gets a lot of miles. I clean about 1x month. Chain/spokes/headset safety checks every ride, lube chain when it looks/feels dry.
My motto is “The sun must never rest on a dirty bike”. All my 5 year old Cervelos look brand new.
~ AB ~
“what about before a race? do you wipe it down after the drive there on the rack with bug splats, or worse, that accumulated on the way?”
You are kidding right? You would allow bugs to hit your bicycle during transportation? Don’t you have someone that can ride on the roof and shield the bike from road debris and bugs as you drive to the staging area?
I agree with lakercr, cleaning is not just for looks it allows you to inspect the frame and components. I throw them up on the rack at eye level and clean away. I wipe the chain down before and after every ride. I also inspect the tires for potentially dangerous cuts or embedded debris before and after every ride. I remove the chain for cleaning at least once a week. I use Wippermann and SRAM chains with the quick links and put them in an ultrasonic cleaner with a bio-degreaser. I then sun dry it and place it in a plastic bag with a very small amount of teflon lube and allow it to fully permeate every link and roller. Then I place the sealed plastic bag in a 110 X 250 mm paper bag made from acid free paper, fold it not once, but twice. Three times is RIGHT OUT! Then carefully staple the folded area every 20 mm… (OK I don’t really put it in a paper bag) Before reinstalling the chain I wipe it until a clean paper towel shows no evidence of lube on it.
I clean the derailleurs, cassette and chain rings thoroughly using a host of brushes. After sun drying I apply a small drop of lube to the pivot points and bearings of the derailleurs. I inspect the cables for fraying and double check the positions of the pulleys over the sprockets as I run the through the rages. I don’t use cable ends, I solder the cable ends when I cut them. This allows me to remove the cable from the casing and lubricate and inspect them from time to time. All welds are scrutinized, especially on the aluminum framed bikes and while drying them I use the sun at an angle to the frame to inspect for hairline cracks or nicks.
I wax the frames a couple of times a year, clean the brake contact on the rims with a fine ScotchBrite pad every couple of months and check the spoke tension once a month. I clean the saddle with Lexol leather cleaner and once every 6 months use Lexol Neatsfoot leather dressing. I check the screws for correct torque once a month and probably change the bar tape once every 2 months on average.
My wife complains about the bikes, but I’ve told her that she should be more careful at night when rolling over in bed.
I’m waiting for the thread when I can describe the fashion and order I dress myself in before a training ride.
“…the fashion and order I dress myself in before a training ride.”
you mean to say there isn’t a crew standing by to help you don your race day attire?
i’d love to hear the rest of that story…
I understand how everyone feels about cleaning…and I’m the same way…
But I was most impressed when I was at a tri and I was checking out this girl’s bike(ok and maybe her too)…and it was filthy…normally that would have really turned me off…but instead all I could think was…“that is so cool, her bike is really dirty…she REALLY rides!!!”
I was instantly attracted to her.
Impeccably spotless!
Cleaned after every ride.
Chain de-greased every 300+ miles.Always wipe down the tires to check for possible sharp debris.
A clean bike looks faster…and just gives you a mental edge.
Keep my bikes very clean all the time. Clean them immediately if I get caught in the rain.
My mini-van however, is an entirely different matter.
I keep 'em clean. I hate riding a dirty bike. I find the more often I clean them, the easier it is each time. I typically use Simple Green and a t-shirt for most of the frame/components. I always hit the braking surfaces and “floss” the cassette. When I’m really into it, I go over each individual spoke. Occasionally they’ll get some bug splatter accumulating, but that’s only when I don’t have extra time to clean them. I only really do a real bike wash (outside in driveway, use Park chain scrubber, soap, brushes, hose, etc) a few times per year, but I keep them spotless the rest of the time via less involved methods.
I have to agree. Somewhat used looking high end bikes are definitely a turn on.
If you really ride/train tons there is not much time for a daily bike deep-cleaning (especially if you want to have a life outside of the sport). A bike that sees a lot of use will show that (unless you put in an obscene amount of time to clean it with a toothpick).
I ride bare Ti for only this reason. Minimal frame care required. No worries about scratches or sweat. I can limit myself to drivetrain maintenance, giving me more time to ride, recover or enjoy life.
My bike is a tool to cover a certain distance more efficent and faster (like my car). Nothing more and nothing less. Spotlessness doesn’t make me any faster or efficient, so why bother?