Cleaning my mountain bike - what should a newbie know

[The Ouzo]

Exactly - just don't point it at or be to close to things like stickers and paint....

also the nozzle that guy is using in the video is a single thin jet that rotates in circles, its meant to remove stubborn dirt, use the nozzle that does a wider spread of water, dont hold it 2 cm from bearings and you will be fine.

 

The components on your bike are not as fragile as you think, but also dont be stupid and try what this guy did.

[Dirkitech]

On a full suspension mountain bike with bearings at the pivots (mine has 14), water is enemy number one. A few wet rides can cause rust and bearing seizure. That said I think anyone who uses a jet washer or even a garden hose on hard on their dual sus bike is asking for problems.  Keep the chain clean and wipe the fork/shock seals and stanchions down after every ride and wash the whole bike as little as possible. 

i have a dual sus and have never had an issue with rust or bearings, even though i get quite close to my bb trying to clean the wax gunk off of the chainrings!

 

I wouldn't worry too much about a pressure wash... 

 

I agree- its perfectly fine if  you use it (the KArcher at home) from a reasonable distance of about 1000/1500mm, since 1500mm is far enough to hurt but not bruise my hand if I place it in the stream, so it also shouldn't be strong enough at that distance to be forced into bearings etc, but strong enough to get mud, dust, dirt, feathers off.

[peyperj]

Thanks guys appreciate all your advice

 

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Amberdrake]

With cape and current water restrictions, i have discovered a spray bottle with diluted clean green and cloths are best. Chain gets removed and cleaned in pure degreaser  away from bearings.

Same with cassette. Toothbrush clean chainrings and rear derailleur wheels with pure degreaser and cloths.

 

This makes bike shiny clean for maintenance with minimal water use, this is heavy on time cleaning solution so only happens when needed. As per prior posts wipe the stantions after every ride.  

[Boerklong]

I use water, dishwashing liquid and a paintbrush. Thats it

[ChrisF]

Be very careful of getting any water and degreaser into your gear cluster, more specifically into the rear wheel bearings .....

 

 

Cost me DEARLY !!!

 

And if you hear a "creaking" sound from the back of your TREK .... have your local bike shop CHECK it !!  I cleaned the bike, and lubed everything, sounded good, went for another ride ... 5km further the rear bearing collapsed on my TREK EX ....

 

 

 

YES, I do clean my bike, but now even more careful than before ....

 

 

 

and you DONT want cleaning agents on your brakes discs ..... the pads glaze ....