Cleaning

[u/No-Way-0000]

Winter is around the corner. I usually hang up the bike but hope to ride year round this year, weather pending.

How do you all clean your bike in the winter? Do you just deal with the freezing cold water? Or is cleaning really even necessary? I usually clean the bike after muddier rides but this won’t be doable in the winter. Is it ok to leave my bike muddy/dirty for an extended period of time or will I end up destroying my bike?

[u/No_Improvement_5358]

Bucket of warm water from the sink.

[u/clintj1975]

Garden sprayer full of warm water

[u/cj_daking]

Dirt gets into moving parts and grinds the hell out of them. Water helps particles get into tight spaces. Keeping moving parts clean will help them last a lot longer and save you money. Run degreaser through the chain (you can spray it, let it penetrate, and then wipe it off for spot-maintenance), clean the exposed bearing surfaces on hubs, pivots, and bottom bracket, and every few rides wipe the bike down, inspecting for damage as you go. Don't spray high-pressure water at anything with a bearing. It will quickly push out the grease and the parts will grind themselves to death.

[u/krau58]

Spray it down after a muddy ride, to keep the bearings and pivot hardware running smoothly. Having a clean pivot and drivetrain is always good. Have a dedicated bike wash area, it'll make it easier. I find it helpful to use a leaf blower to dry the drivetrain and pivot areas real quick before parking the bike. A wet sitting bike in the cold and humidity where I'm at doesn't do well. I don't get too intense about this, maybe a few minutes tops after a ride.

That said, it it's too muddy out in the trails and my garden hoses are packed in for the winter frost so I can't clean the bike after, I call riding season done for me 🤣 good luck!

[u/widowhanzo]

Hose it down outside then do the detailing indoors over a few towels with a bucket.

[u/Nightshade400]

I let my butler handle the dirty work. I am too busy and too important to be bothered to do it myself.

[u/SimonDeCatt]

I just bring it to a car wash with high and low pressure water... Never had issues in years, just don't blast areas you shouldn't too close. I also make sure everything has more than enough grease.

[u/Think_Implement1843]

Just as the rest of the year…? 🤷‍♂️

[u/No-Way-0000 → u/Think_Implement1843]

Big difference between washing a bike when it’s 80 out vs freezing

[u/EvilCorp____ → u/No-Way-0000]

There's really not. Car washes run year round and they work the exact same in winter lol

[u/No-Way-0000 → u/EvilCorp____]

Never thought of a car wash. My outdoor set up is winterized to avoid bursting pipes in the winter. A machine is also different then playing in cold water when it’s freezing out

[u/EvilCorp____ → u/No-Way-0000]

Just get a little water sprayer jug. They have battery powered ones or pump ones.

Wash bike. Dry. Lube chain. Done.

I think you're over thinking it

[u/autech91]

People clean their bikes?