Help with mud please

[Tugwell Gibson]

very sorry. And I know it's pathetic. But I've never got a bike muddy before.
I'm the new owner of an oxygen MTB . Me and the lad have just cycles across 3 mud and grass parks
That follow a river. And then bombed around some woods.

My bike is now muddy. My natural inclination is to hose it off? Is that what you do with mountain bikes?
And is it different with bikes. I know you guys will know. I've seen the photos lol.

Thanks

 

[Trevormonty]

Don't use strong jets especially in bearings and electrics. Best rinse with shower mode and back of a bit.

 

[Tugwell Gibson]

Ok great so I can use a standard hose and a sponge ok?

 

[Gubbins]

I use something like this that I bought from aldi
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHEEL-CLEANING-BRUSH-BMW-MINI-steel-alloy-wheels-soft-bristle-plastic-handle-/191805485764?hash=item2ca87f72c4:m:m7MNelhyT1-PvCmBqZU3eJQ

When the muck is fresh its easily brushed of with one of these and a bucket of water, than I just rinse off with a watering can..
Go back next day to a rusty chain so be sure to lube up!!

 

[flecc]

Ok great so I can use a standard hose and a sponge ok?

Yes, I've always done that. Just avoid directing the jet of water directly into bearings etc, run the water across the face instead, using the quantity of flow to wash the mud away, rather than the force.
.

 

[Tugwell Gibson]

I've given it a rinse off. Mud was very wet so came off easy. Took it for a spin round the block. Front wheel making a tinny light sound like metal on metal. I'm guessing that's wet brakes. Seemed to get less on the way home.

 

[Tugwell Gibson]

Yes, I've always done that. Just avoid directing the jet of water directly into bearings etc, run the water across the face instead, using the quantity of flow to wash the mud away, rather than the force.
.

Just to really show my complete ignorance. Where are the bearings? I'm guessing in the hub of the Wheel?

 

[flecc]

Just to really show my complete ignorance. Where are the bearings? I'm guessing in the hub of the Wheel?

Yes, the wheel hub sides, the bottom bracket sides, the inner ends of the pedals, and the top and bottom of the steering stem.

Just avoid pointing the hose directly into those, since that will drive water and dirt into the bearings.

Instead just flow the water past across the surfaces instead, letting it soften the mud and wear it away, rather than driving the mud off with force. Your sponge will help that.
.

 

[Tugwell Gibson]

Excellent. Thanks guys. Front wheel is silent again. My lad has just said. Let's go out again. Oh, no thanks says I." Why not dad you've got an engine now." so now we are off out again. I've got mud all over my face. Not had that since rugby 30 years ago.

 

[Tugwell Gibson]

Back again. 6 more miles. Legs and knees are aching. So must be getting some exercise. He's loving it as we've been out about 4 hours. Generally I cycle 10 minutes to the park. And I'm then standing around giving him an hour to play. Now I'm bombing around like a big kid.

 

[IR772]

Now you know why the rest of us are always going on about our eMTBs.

They are great.

A few photos would be lovely, dirty or clean. I have not seen any of your make of bike on here.

I wash the worst of the dirt off with a sponge and bucket, using a watering can to take the bits off. The only problem is putting the bike away wet, so I use a leaf blower after Gubbins recommended it.

Oil the chain.

Well done!

 

[Nealh]

I use a hose pipe on my bike then spray muck off pink stuff on then rinse again after a light scrub with a nylon brush. After that I give it a spray with MO94. Quarterly I check the bbs final drive and repack with new grease and recently removed/checked front and rear wheel hub/cassette bearings for a regrease . No water ingress at all and all fine and dandy just don't use a power washer.

 

[Tugwell Gibson]

Thanks guys. Have taken it all onboard. We've had a great first day . Shocking thing is. My 9.5 year old still would have done more. And he's on a single speed bmx.

 

[Alan Quay]

I have access to loads of dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO). It is the best thing for getting rid of mud, no question.

I normally use it neat, but sometimes I dilute slightly with a bit of fairy liquid.

You have to be a bit careful with it though, its quite dangerous if handled incorrectly and causes many deaths every year. After all, its the single largest component in 'Acid Rain'.

I may be unusual, but find it so useful that I keep a tank full of the stuff heated to about 65 deg in the cupboard on the upstairs landing. The family go bloody bonkers if we run out!

 

[Tugwell Gibson]

I have access to loads of dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO). It is the best thing for getting rid of mud, no question.

I normally use it neat, but sometimes I dilute slightly with a bit of fairy liquid.

You have to be a bit careful with it though, its quite dangerous if handled incorrectly and causes many deaths every year. After all, its the single largest component in 'Acid Rain'.

I may be unusual, but find it so useful that I keep a tank full of the stuff heated to about 65 deg in the cupboard on the upstairs landing. The family go bloody bonkers if we run out!

They are sold out at Halfords.

 

[Tom Rae]

What is the Halfords brand Tugwell?

 

[Tugwell Gibson]

Can't remember. But they keep it near the baby seats.

 

[Tugwell Gibson]

Will do some photos into Flickr and post. For now I have stuck my bike as my avatar

Now you know why the rest of us are always going on about our eMTBs.

They are great.

A few photos would be lovely, dirty or clean. I have not seen any of your make of bike on here.

I wash the worst of the dirt off with a sponge and bucket, using a watering can to take the bits off. The only problem is putting the bike away wet, so I use a leaf blower after Gubbins recommended it.

Oil the chain.

Well done!

 

[chris130256]

Dangerous stuff. Killed many people. Handle with care. Must admitt I've used it to clean my bike but feel guilty letting it go down the drain!

 

[flecc]

I have access to loads of dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO). It is the best thing for getting rid of mud, no question.

I normally use it neat, but sometimes I dilute slightly with a bit of fairy liquid.

You have to be a bit careful with it though, its quite dangerous if handled incorrectly and causes many deaths every year. After all, its the single largest component in 'Acid Rain'.

I may be unusual, but find it so useful that I keep a tank full of the stuff heated to about 65 deg in the cupboard on the upstairs landing. The family go bloody bonkers if we run out!

A listed disadvantage of DHMO:

"Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits."

That's from this website with much, much more.
.