Velo Valero

Anyone find any secrets for keeping one's bike clean... or at least the drive train with all this wet riding we have to do?

I use Mineral Oil on the chain with one of those chain cleaning pieces of equipment either the Park's of Pedro's will work well. Then after giving that a good run through with that chain washer, I wipe it down and re lubricate it. I also strip down the rear cassette and clean the cogs individually and replace it again.

We don't have the same wet conditions as you do, but the dry conditions and the dust that goes with it, can take a toll on the chain.

I hope this helps.

  

This is really bad...after a quck ride last night ... I stopped at the car wash and took the bubble brush to my bike...and yes under the brown was blue.  Was only .25 miles from home and got my T9 out and oiled it back up....  not sure I want to do that very often...but sure did the trick to get the packed on layers of crud off!

Whatever works for you, should be fine, but I think you need to keep an eye on the wear and tear on the chain. I think the "Park Tools Web" site has a whole list of "How to.............." a sort of handbook for bike repair and maintenance, it's really handy. There should be a whole section on Chain maintenance.

 

Good luck and good riding, I'm hitting th road myself tonight, hopefully!!

I was more expressing my frustration of having to clean bike so much.  I have had more than half my rides that have required cleaning and lubing bike.  Adds a bunch of time on to those rides if you do it right!

Keep the frame waxed. I use Fuller Brush Appliance Cleaner/Wax. Its non-abrasive. For the drive train, cables, etc. I use White Lightning Self Cleaning Wax. Dirt/mud do not stick to the drive train like petroleum based products-less wear on chain/chainrings. Hose the bike off with low pressure. Dry it off. Then clean the chain with the Park Chain Cleaner or BiBox with a cleaning solvent. Clean cogs, chainrings, etc. Lube chain, cogs, cables. Wipe down frame and spokes with appliance wax and wipe off excess. ...and then ready for the next ride. The drivetrain gets cleaned and lubed frequently and the other stuff gets cleaned less frequently.  Enough already.

JFallon

Take it to Bicycle Heaven and let them do it (better known as taking it in for a "bike spa"):::!!!!

--If you get good advice, let me know...  PJ