Washing a mountain bike in Cape Town

[Chingy182]

 

Other option is also to go to Dischem or something to pick up a bottle of Rubbing Alcohol, which you put i a spray bottle.  And with that you spray the bike and wipe clean. 

 

Not sure if there are dangers using this (except if you thinking of lighting smoke while cleaning your bike)

 

For the parts that get gummy from grease and oil, isopropyl alcohol is a useful solvent that will clean away the sticky mess almost effortlessly.

1. Step 1

   Dampen about a quarter of a cloth rag with alcohol.

   Step 2

   Wipe down the brake pads of your bike with the alcohol-dampened cloth, removing all the dirt and residue that has built up.

   •  
   Step 3

   Use a clean rag and more alcohol to clean the rotors. Wipe off the outer surface, then cover your finger with a damp section of the cloth and use it to poke in between the spokes and clean the grime from around the inner part of the rotors.

   Step 4

   Dip an old toothbrush in isopropyl alcohol and use it to scrub your bike chain clean when it becomes encrusted with oil and dirt. Thoroughly lubricate the chain again with bike oil after cleaning it with alcohol.

   Step 5

   Remove the disk brake pads if they become contaminated with oil and soak them in isopropyl alcohol. You don't need to submerge them and leave them sitting in the alcohol; simply pour on the alcohol to saturate them. Allow the brake pads to dry for about five minutes, then lightly scuff them with sandpaper before replacing them on the caliper.

   Step 6

   Wipe off the rims of your bike using the alcohol and another clean rag.

 

 

 

Isopropyl alcohol is seriously safe to clean your bike?

Also on the frame or only on the groupset?

[Chingy182]

I've just resorted to using my mop bucket after I've mopped out the house.

It's worked well for me so far

[Chingy182]

I've just resorted to using my mop bucket after I've mopped out the house.

It's worked well for me so far

[DJR]

The last time we had rain, just last week, my neighbour, dressed in shorts and t-shirt, grabbed soap and a sponge and washed his car outside in the driveway, letting the rain rinse it afterwards. He got a shower and the car got cleaned. I have eccentric neigbours in a somewhat colourful area.    

[sawystertrance]

The last time we had rain, just last week, my neighbour, dressed in shorts and t-shirt, grabbed soap and a sponge and washed his car outside in the driveway, letting the rain rinse it afterwards. He got a shower and the car got cleaned. I have eccentric neigbours in a somewhat colourful area.    

Haha, I did the same. 

[DJR]

Haha, I did the same. 

I will next time, and do the bike as well.

[anybody seen george?]

The last time we had rain, just last week, my neighbour, dressed in shorts and t-shirt, grabbed soap and a sponge and washed his car outside in the driveway, letting the rain rinse it afterwards. He got a shower and the car got cleaned. I have eccentric neigbours in a somewhat colourful area.    

I did the same. 

Could hardly recognize my car afterwards. 

[Hairy]

The last time we had rain, just last week, my neighbour, dressed in shorts and t-shirt, grabbed soap and a sponge and washed his car outside in the driveway, letting the rain rinse it afterwards. He got a shower and the car got cleaned. I have eccentric neigbours in a somewhat colourful area.    

I have done this, heck the wife did it the other day when it was raining and I was at work.

[Piston ZA]

50% chance for rain tomorrow. I see a lot of people washing cars and bikes if it does.

[anybody seen george?]

I have done this, heck the wife did it the other day when it was raining and I was at work.

Can I send my wife for training? Mine refused to walk outside in the rain, but yet demanded I wash her`s as well...

[Hairy]

Can I send my wife for training? Mine refused to walk outside in the rain, but yet demanded I wash her`s as well...

did I mention the wife also cuts the lawn while I am at work ...... recon I "have it ok"

[sawystertrance]

did I mention the wife also cuts the lawn while I am at work ...... recon I "have it ok"

Gee, you still have a lawn? Luxury....

[Hairy]

Gee, you still have a lawn? Luxury....

It actually does not look bad at the moment .... but we recycle washing machine, and shower water for this ... oh we also harvest rain water the hard way, collecting in buckets and storing in 5L (LOTS OF THEM) bottles, troughs and the bath for flushing the loo and the odd bit of water on spots that are looking too bad.....it also helps the lawn is not the size of a bowling green.

[DJR]

Gee, you still have a lawn? Luxury....

My dog removed my lawn long ago! Forward-looking, eco-sensitive, water-conservative dog, don't you think?     

[solty]

did I mention the wife also cuts the lawn while I am at work ...... recon I "have it ok"

I have lots of water and long grass... swop?

 

But seriously, I am very impressed with the lengths everyone is going to in order to conserve water. Some of these measures will need to become permanent for Capetonians.

[Grease_Monkey]

I have a bike wash down to 750ml per wash now. I fill up a bottle with a spray head, wet the bike, apply some bike cleaner (muc off), let it do it's work for about 3mins, spray all of the soapy mess off with water in spray bottle again, and wipe down with damp cloth. Use a dry towel to get everything shiny.

 

For all the greasy parts I use a cloth with degreaser to get all the grit off before I start the clean, and a park tool chain cleaner/chain pig with degreaser in it for the chain and cassette.

 

It's a mission and takes a bit more time, but with the current water crisis cleaning a mtb, no matter how expensive, cannot be a priority at the cost of 10 or 20 liters of water!