Howzit guys, I hope everyone survived Monday. I am in need of advice, more specific on bike cleaning. Just want to state from the beginning that I am sort of a perfectionist for a few things, this includes my bike. I'll spend more time cleaning it that might be necessary. In the summer, I only washed my bike when it is really dirty and re-lube my chain every 70km. I used dry lube instead of wet lube that I am using now for the wet conditions. Here is my washing kit: http://i.imgur.com/hdSJ9m9.jpg Rag is being washed... http://i.imgur.com/4Zhy1SX.jpg http://i.imgur.com/sjxd2RO.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ilVOOtY.jpg After wash, without lube So I washed my bike after Sunday's very muddy ride. I did not do anything after the ride but to bring it inside to put on the wall stand. It stayed there for one day. The mud turned hard so I used the hose to remove the worst of it. Afterwards, I mix medium temperature water with Sunlight Liquid. I always start with the fork stanchions and then my drivetrain. The fork does not take long, but the drivetrain is another story. It probably takes up 70% of the time I use to clean the bike. My process (of cleaning the drivetrain): I try to clean the chain to remove the worst of the dirt with the brush while spinning the chain. I then remove my chainring to clean the gunk stuck between where the bolts screw into the crank. Throw it in the tap and clean it with the brush thoroughly. I end off by drying it off with a rag. I go back to my bike taking the rag to remove the leftover dust from the chain. Put back the chainring and continue cleaning the chain repeating with the brush and spinning of the chain. I do this for quite some time to get the chain as clean as possible. I also use the brush to clean my cassette, although I am not sure it cleans between the teeth. I hose off the drivetrain and proceed to my room for the dry stage. I use an old towel the clean the whole frame, rag for the drivetrain and synthetic chamois leather for my fork's stanchions. To put the cherry on the cake, I have a fan that blows onto my bike as well. This whole process takes me about an hour and a half and is quite draining too. I noted that I really struggle to get my chain clean with the wet lube compared to the dry lube. My questions: 1.) Is my method effective and correct (meaning not harming my components)? 2.) Should I invest in a degreaser? 3.) Should I invest in a chain cleaner? 4.) Should I invest in a brush set? 5.) Should one wash your bike after a muddy ride or can I only hose it off and go for a next ride? 6.) If I take my finger across one of the cassette's teeth, it becomes black. Can I leave it like that? Any other advice/comments are more than welcome. Thanks ~ André
