After a very muddy race...

[Bman]

got the bike full on proper covered, including myself from head to toe..

towards the last 10km whole chain was grinding like on rear casette and all the wet lube i had put on before the race seemed gone or full of dirt and mud. There was mud it seems coming out or going into the bearings around the crank(xt on the bike) and bike is fulthy.

 

Whats the best way to clean, preserve and maintain bike after a ride like this? What should be stripped and cleaned? All advice welcome Thanks

[stewie911]

You could wash it imediatly after the ride/race with soap and water. Give your chain a proper cleaning with a chainscrubber or something. Take a towel and get it dry. Also fold the towel over the chain and spin the crank to make sure its dry. Lube the chain.

 

During summer I ride a lot in mud, so that's all that I do.

 

If paranoid you can then:

 

Remove bb cups and make sure water didn't get in there. Dry it up.

Remove headset bearing and dry it up.

Remove seatpost and dry it up.

 

After 3 Towers I had to open up my eggbeaters as well to clean them.

 

 

Tip: Drill a hole in your frame, underneath the bb to let any water that may enter from seatpost side escape.

I heard that some soap, except for Hope sh!t cleaner, will effect your brakepads, so clean them afterworths.

Edited November 15, 2010 by stewie911

[stewie911]

What I actually do and where everyone will disagree:

 

Take a pressure washer and clean everything with that. When I get close to the wheel hubs, the bb and the headset I just stand back a bit so that there isn't too much pressure

[Bman]

What I actually do and where everyone will disagree:

 

Take a pressure washer and clean everything with that. When I get close to the wheel hubs, the bb and the headset I just stand back a bit so that there isn't too much pressure

Thanks Stewie, not really that paranoid but after one hectic muddy ride was worried iv done my sexy ride more damage then good... totally agree with the pressure hose tho, i just stand a lil further back when i get to the so come delicate parts

[Bat-ass]

When you finished washing, tip the bike up on the back wheel, or even upsidedown, and make sure all water comes out of the frame. other wise it sits in a puddle at your BB.

Also, get the chain cleaned and spray it with WD40 before it starts rusting. You can run it through a towel, and relube it with proper lube when you have time, or before your next ride. WD40 (WD stands for water displacement)

[Bman]

Thanks for the reply batass, funny enough while cleaning I had the front wheel off, it started to rain and I was busy drying at that stage so held the bike up on iys back wheel and was shocked at all this water that came pouring out.. Was wondering where it all came from and in future will make sure I always get it out of there now that you say it just sits in a puddle at bb.. Ill clean the chain nicely with engine degreaser.. Seems to work best! Where would I get that WD40 from, local hardware?

 

Thanks again!

 

Brennan

[Super_mil]

I find having a talented dedicated helper works...

[Bman]

I find having a talented dedicated helper works...

i wouldnt even mind if she wasnt even that talented

[AndreZA]

I find having a talented dedicated helper works...

 

 

 

Damn, those R1 brakes are nice.

[Crustyy]

WD40 = Q20. You'll get that at any hardware store, even some garage shops!

[Bman]

WD40 = Q20. You'll get that at any hardware store, even some garage shops!

shweet i thought as much thanks

[Super_mil]

Why not to use WD-40

The 'right' lubricants - use it, don't use it.

[Bman]

Why not to use WD-40

The 'right' lubricants - use it, don't use it.

shot man eish so putting it on before you put on your lube is actualy only going to work against the chain and strip the lube off! Not cool!

[Tankman]

Also, get the chain cleaned and spray it with WD40 before it starts rusting. You can run it through a towel, and relube it with proper lube when you have time, or before your next ride. WD40 (WD stands for water displacement)

 

Why dont you use a proper lubricant designed to handle all different cycling conditions?

Q20 or WD40 or any of that crap doesnt come near my bikes.

[Bman]

Why dont you use a proper lubricant designed to handle all different cycling conditions?

Q20 or WD40 or any of that crap doesnt come near my bikes.

i do, proper wet lube, think its called motorex or something.. got it from my lbs, but was seriously considering bat-asses advice to put on some Q20 first to prevent rust before super mil saved the day and my chain

[CAAD4]

Damn, those R1 brakes are nice.

 

Maybe she's expecting a rough ride... The helmet is close by....