GlennR

I have 2 bikes, I light weight road bike and a CX bike that I use in the winter and on wet days. So every winter I do a deep cleaning including taking it apart with the exception of the cockpit, brake calipers and front derailleur. I regularly clean the bike during the year but I am amazed how much dirt there is during the deep cleaning.

Having a ultrasonic cleaner really help clean the chain, cassette and other parts that have hard to get to spaces. Simple hot water and some Dawn dish soap works for most. For the chain I put it in a 1/2 pint plastic container with a solvent and then put the container into the ultrasonic bath. That way I don't need to fill the entire tub with cleaner. The chainrings are cleaned with some solvent and a old toothbrush. I wipe the frame with some 10:1 water/Simple Green and then grease the bottom bracket and fork. The jockey wheels are removed from the rear derailleur and all is cleaned and lubed.

Finally I reassemble everything using a torque wrench and finally applying oil to the pivots and brake calipers.





Cassette after only a few minutes in the ultrasonic bath.


I was able to get the brake calipers in without disconnecting them. No reason since the cables work just fine. The calipers came out looking like new.

zandoval 

WOW... Nice work.

No one who really rides will argue that after cleaning your bike it go's faster...

Ghazmh

My cleaning regimen is very similar. I deep clean and lube pivot points as needed, So far I’ve only put the chain and cassette in my ultrasonic cleaner but that may change too. I use Dr Bronners Castile soap on everything, except brake tracks and rotors.

bikeaddiction1

I have been seriously considering an ultrasonic cleaner. I am curious why you did not leave the crank assembled and put it in the cleaner. Is it a tank size issue?

GlennR

Yes, the tank is 2L so it won't fit. I do have access to a automotive size parts washer but rather not use put it in harsh chemicals. Also taking it apart is not difficult. That allows me to put the crank arms in the ultrasonic and the chainrings were cleaned with some Simple Green and a toothbrush.

I have new bar tape and will redo the bars in late April after the Spring showers wash the salt and debris off the roads.

Is the excessive? Maybe but i have 26,000 miles on the original Sram Red cassette and chainrings. The chain gets replaced every 3000 or so miles. The bottom bracket is cleaned and greased every 1000 miles and a general cleaning is done weekly which is about every 150 miles.

I spent "stupid" money on this bike and my cost per mile, for my original purchase, is under 50¢ per mile

shelbyfv

Good job. I'm always impressed by the amount of crud that collects on unseen surfaces of the brakes and FD.

big chainring 

Challenger cleaner/degreaser. I use this for heavy cleaning. Amazing how it works on my old vintage bikes. Even restores brake pads and brake hoods. Cleans my white bar tape too.

Paul Barnard

Thank you for posting Glenn. I will never consider myself anal with maintenance again!

GlennR

I clean the bike almost every week and wipe the brake calipers as best I can and felt they were clean. This time I decided to put them in the ultrasonic bath without removing the cables. The water was clean with some Dawn, but quickly saw a cloud of dirt emerge from the calipers. Withing minutes the water was murky and dark. All of that dirt was in the places I couldn't get to with spray cleaner and a paper towel.

I'll include this step in my yearly winter cleaning.

GlennR

This is where I come from.

This is the engine in my 74 VW and has 46,000 miles on it.


And this is 22 year old paint.