Syncmaster

Seems like this process works well. I also love that little blue wheel you add in there when you remove the wheel. But I've always had reservations about using a higher pressure hose near sealed bearings. Thoughts?

seymour1910

I would like to have that little blue ball/wheel thing myself. I usually do pretty much the same, get a bucket of warm soapy water, I rinse the loose dirt off with the hose on low pressure, then I get the sponge and wash the bike really good. I have a set of the bike brushes to get into the hard to reach areas such as the derailleur and brake caliper pivots. I use a tough sponge to clean the brake pads and get the grime off the brake track on the wheels. I then rinse the bike, dry everything as well as possible, then re-lube the chain and derailleurs. the last thing I do is polish the frame.

gc3

That doesn't look like overly high pressure for an extended period of time, nor is it really direct. i just use compressed air to dry of the cassette because I'm lazy.

Purple Extreme sells one of those chain holder dohickeys, it also comes as part of their kit.

Garfield Cat

Now watch a woman wash the bike and I think you will see a difference in approach and handling. More attention to detail.

That mechanic washes as if he were on a race.

The bike he is using is not dirty. Way different with a non pro bike.

coasting 

I never get my chain clean because the wheel is always on. Now I know how they really clean a chain thoroughly with these little gizmos.

NRZ

Would something like this work from Pedro's?

https://www.amazon.com/Pedros-Chain-K.../dp/B000IZEH1K

seymour1910

seems just as functional, but cheaper.

Ferrous Bueller

An old rear QR and a 130mm piece of tubing works fine too.

NRZ

And cheaper is better since it's one bike I'll be working. I could see spending the money if I did it for a living.

That's a good idea too!!

rangerdavid

there used to be a video of how team Sky washes theirs. similar, but much more thorough. After I saw the Sky video I got some Morgan Blue chain cleaner. Works wonders. The morgan blue race oil in the aerosol can is great too.

rangerdavid

Wiggle actually has the chain holder the guy in the video is using for $7.95, but they want $25.00 shipping... so I just got one of Pedro's off ebay for $10 shipped.

Jandro 

A friend of mine is a pro mechanic for a couple teams (Jellybean, Rapha Focus, WD40, etc) and I watched him do exactly this to my bike yesterday. It's now cleaner than I've ever seen it. He taught me some awesome techniques. The chain holder he had put the grommet on a spindle that moved as you shifted the rear derailleur. Pretty cool.

seymour1910

your ebay skillz are better than mine, cheapest I saw was 13.99 shipped, minor difference, but still a difference.

oespinoza83

Nashbar has one of these chain holder's as well. $6.95 +shipping

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Produc...0052_172868_-1

rangerdavid

here ya go:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/390545976997...84.m1497.l2649

rangerdavid

ok, so the exact cost was $11.71, not $10. But that does include shipping as you see.

rangerdavid

Nashbar's price is $12.94 with their shipping costs. Ebay still cheaper.

seymour1910

Ranger...thanks a lot...11.71 is nothing, I'm getting this. every time I was my bike without removing the chain it just rubs all over the chainstay...this is a cheap fix for it.

AndyK 

Love seeing a bike cleaned like this! Thing is, doesn't all the soap and water work it's way into the bottom bracket cups, or the headset bearings??

Bob Dopolina 

Doesn't work outside of the US.

Ross11

Personally I use the Park Tool Cyclone to clean the chain, it works well and is fairly easy. Wipe off excess cleaning fluid. Scrub the cassette with the brush that came with the cyclone and do the same with the chain rings. I then put White Lightning Clean Ride on there, wipe off some excess, shift through my gears, wipe off the remainder excess. I use water for grime and so forth then polish for more difficult grime and then finish the rest of the frame with polish. I am a huge supporter of keeping your bike very clean. It at least needs a wipe off once a week. The cleaner your drivetrain, the better your ride! The cleaner your bike, the better you look!

AndyK 

Anyone know which stands the pro washers use?

Syncmaster

Living in an NYC studio apartment causes some issues when my bikes need cleaning... I've resorted to showering with my commuter bike after I've come home through nasty snow....

Wish I had a hose and a work stand like this.

hhnngg1

Where can you get a brush like the one he's using to clean the hub of the wheel?

TrojanHorse

I just take the chain off... it's easier and gets cleaner faster (for me).

That bike looked spanking clean before he even started.