Cleaning Bike

Get a chain cleaning tool, a bucket, some citrus based cleaner, some Dawn detergent, and some soft bristle brushes.  Put the bike on a stand for ease of cleaning, pop off the tires and put a skewer or chain holder on the rear to keep the chain in place for cleaning.  Put the citrus cleaner in the chain cleaning tool, run it through by pedaling for 15 seconds or so.  Then put some water in the bucket with the detergent, and run the chain through with that as well.  Starting at the front of the bike, start to wash off the bike with the brushes.  Have a system - mine is to go across the top tube, then the down tube, the seat post, the front fork, and then the rear triangle.  Then slop some more soapy water on the cassette and the tires and rims.  I use an old lawn/weed cannister to pressurize some clean water to rinse off the bike, but you could also just empty the bucket, refill it with clean water, and sponge off the soapy water.  Put the tires back on, lube the chain, and you are good.  For the extra lovin' touch, I usually add Armorall to the tires, then some ICE wax on the frame, so it all looks sparkly new and showroom ready. 

The whole process should only take about 15 minutes or so, once you have it down.

The Park tool site is great, but I use a much simpler system for my post-ride cleans and save a "deep clean" for after every few weeks.

Paper towels, water for dirt on the frame. SimpleGreen for the chain and grease marks. Paper towel + simple green on the chain and then relube. Takes < 5 mins.

I do this in a small 1-bdrm apt without a bucket, stand, or hose. Keeps the biking looking brand-new and working great. Also makes deep cleans much easier - it's the accumulated grime that really cakes and becomes a problem, esp with the drivetrain.

(I also get antsy if I "douse" my entire bike with water as per the Park Tool website. It's probably ok, but bearings does tend to dissaude me from even risking it. I'd do it with my beater mtn bike, but not with my $3k racing bike) 

Edited by agarose2000 2009-06-26 8:40 AM

Do not worry about getting the bearings wet, you ride in the rain at times don't you?  What you don't want to do is hold a high pressure hose directly at any area with bearings.  A simple wipe down of the frame with a mild cleaner like others have said, if you use Simple Green make sure it is diluted well, and a good cleaning of the chain every couple hundred miles will keep everything going smooth.  The air near the ocean will be the worst for brake and shifter cables and maybe some surface corrosion on bolt heads.  Do not worry about it chewing away your bottom bracket, hubs, headset, etc.  I ride my bikes through some nast NH winters with tons of salt dumped on the roads which is a lot worse than ocean air with no issues and general cleaning and care of my bicycles.