Pinkbike Poll: How Often Do You Wash Your Bike?

Aug 3, 2018
by Daniel Sapp  
Time to scrape off the mud from qualifying and get things prepped for the real battle that starts Saturday afternoon here in Val di Sole.
Step 1 in clean up: knock off the big stuff. Photo: Dave Trumpore


A clean bike is a fast bike is a quiet bike is a...and so it goes, something like that. Depending on who you talk to, you'll hear more passionate opinions related to how and how often one should polish their bike than on e-bikes and land access in America. Nevertheless, after getting out on the trails, it's inevitable that you're going to need to clean things up at least once in a while to keep your bike operating as it should.

While a lot of it is dependent on where and how often you ride, a periodic washing can go beyond knocking the filth off and prolonging the life of your parts. It's also quality personal time spent with your bike learning its nuances, fine-tuning and inspecting it for any potential issues that could leave you stranded trailside on a future excursion.

Personally, I end up hosing a bike off every ride or three, depending on how mucky it is out. I wipe down and lube the chain every ride. A full cleaning happens about half as often. There are a lot of fancy bike specific products out there I've used that work really well, along with some bottles of what might as well be snake oil, claiming to get the mud off of your bike without having to scrub at all. *I have yet to see one that actually works.

A lot of what I and many people I know use comes down to personal preference or what the bike shop has in stock. It also depends on whether you have access to a water source and where you store your bike. Most of the time, I use whatever degreaser is laying around to scrub the drivetrain and then Dawn dish soap (one $5 bottle lasts a year) and a soft brush on the bike.

How often do you break out the cleaning supplies? Share your tips, tricks, best, and worst advice below.


How often do you typically wash your bike?



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180 Comments
  • 336 7
 I don't wash my bike bases on the frequency. Rather, I was the bike/s base on the condition after the ride. It also depends on what kind of work I am about to do on the bike.

Summer time mostly just dusty, so I would just spray from spray bottle and wipe.

bottomline, none of the choice of answer above fit me
  • 147 1
 I was going to say the same thing. There should be a "whenever it needs to be washed " response.
  • 24 0
 Same. I mean if it was sitting unridden for a month, why would you wash it weekly? The poll makes no sense.
  • 31 0
 Exactly, this needs a "when it's dirty" option. If I'm riding on dry forest trails it never gets washed; if I'm riding in mud or dust it gets washed after one or two rides
  • 1 0
 Likewise
  • 1 0
 Completely agree!!!
  • 3 1
 Maybe it's more asking the frequency with which your bike "needs washing" on average?
  • 7 0
 I wash my bike when it's dirty enough to need washed. Often times, a wipe down with a damp rag is all that's necessary to remove the dust.
  • 13 2
 if she’s running good and isn’t loaded with mud then she stays dirty.
My philosophy with more than just the bike.
  • 1 0
 i wish I could dust it off mote than what I do now, which is almost never. I have never washed myBike this much this last year... hate the dust but I miss it now hahaha
  • 5 0
 I now want to remove my answer
  • 1 0
 I ride one to five times a week. Every week. A cleaning once a week works for me.
  • 1 0
 As needed too. I start my rides like life, go in clean and come out dirty. Sometimes ya gotta through on the daisy dukes and tank top and give the neighbors a show.
  • 6 0
 Juat spent a couple of minutes upvoting everyone who said "when it is dirty enough to need it"....
  • 2 4
 @BaeckerX1: This thing with two wheels is an extension of my soul. I go to confession quarterly to keep my soul clean, I wash my bike after every ride, as a measure of respect for the object that god has created for me to help me to continue to live in this bullshit world. Also, it's good to spend some intimate time with the bike looking at the frame, cranks, wheels and smaller parts, to inspect for fractures and other issues. The day I can't ride an immaculately clean and utterly silent bike, better be the day the lightness takes me home.
  • 20 0
 @schralpknobslikecornonthecob:
Too much washing ruins your bearings,
Sealed bearings arent really sealed all that well.
  • 11 0
 I understand there is a certain amount of mud that would require water. Coming from a strict frame building background have no idea why people run to the hose after every single ride. 99% of the time we just have a beer and some ??!?!?!?! and the mud flakes right off, saving seal and bearing life. Trust me been doing this for decades.
  • 9 0
 @englertracing:
I know a shop owner and he once told me that washing your bike is probably one of the worst things for it.
Sure, its all shiny and clean but the bearings and pivots suffer.
I have owned many VPP bikes over the years (currently own two)and have read all the stories about creaking this and noisy that. I've only needed to do a bearing replacement once over the last ten years.
I have washed my current trail bike that I have owned for two years twice and I have never had a bearing or pivot problem with it.
Only wash my bikes if its absolutely necessary.

(edit)…. I live in the northeast, we do get our fair share of sloppy wet weather.
  • 2 0
 I just don't wash
  • 10 0
 @cski1: I am a shop owner that sells bikes with vpp, horst link, and split pivot designs. the people that come in with the most issues with creaking, go through the most bearings, and generally have the most issues with their bikes are the people that spray their bikes off after every ride.
  • 2 0
 I take my bike with me in the shower after every ride.
  • 1 1
 @Xc2dh1: Make sure and wear a condom, don't want any seals destroyed.
  • 3 0
 @cski1 & @deadhorse13: I remember hearing the exact same from Santa Cruz's Joe Graney. He said washing it occasionally is "ok" but if you wash as much as you ride you'll cause problems.

Let mud dry then brush/knock it off. I might wash it once or twice a season, especially before doing some work on it.
  • 1 0
 @sino428: Exactly, and I would also say: ``I take a french shower each time I feel or smell it`s needed``. Smile
  • 1 0
 After a dry late summer ride, it does not need anything. Late fall during the wet season it will need a heavy rise after every ride. Much easier to get it off then, rather than letting everything dry on it.

Keep the drivetrain clean and lubed, get the wet mud and needles off it, anything that could scratch or damage the fork stansions, shock or dropper post. But it’s not a garage queen show car, and does not need to be washed, dried, waxed after every use.
  • 60 2
 I massage in mousse before shampooing the seat and hot towelling the headline area. Then I take a hot blade and gently shave off new moulding spikes from the tyres leaving typically around 3mm on the sides and 4 or 5mm on the tops.
  • 6 0
 Dont forget the happy ending.
  • 3 0
 They should add this in the article
(10 TIPS YOU ARE WASHING YOUR BIKE WRONG WAY)
  • 3 0
 @Boardlife69: Milk refill?
  • 56 0
 In the UK there is a pathogen which is killing Larch trees. The advice is to wash your bike thoroughly before riding in different areas to reduce the spread of the disease.

scotland.forestry.gov.uk/supporting/forest-industries/tree-health/phytophthora-ramorum
  • 6 0
 That sucks! Were I live we've got pine beetles and ash borer which are killing tons of trees, but that's more of a don't transport firewood issue.
  • 1 0
 There is one getting the horse chestnuts, going from south northwards. I'm not sure if it's a big killer like the larch one and the trees are more common to begin with.
  • 2 0
 Is there any forest thats healthy anymore? It seems some kind of writing is on the wall and I dont like it.
  • 1 0
 @Boardlife69: Perhaps very, very deep in the Siberian taiga, but I am not even sure the forest there is 100% healthy anymore Frown
  • 41 0
 I go to the carwash every day, even if it's not dirty. I get that pressure wand right up to the seals and bearings, you know, to wash out the dirty oil and grease. Sometimes, I just drive through the carwash with the bike on the car, SO MUCH EASIER!
  • 20 0
 You're crazy... Get your own pressure washer! That way you can do it multiple times a day on those really dirty days!!
  • 14 0
 I leave mine in a vat of coca cola overnight so it doesn't rust, you should definitely be doing it too.
  • 6 0
 I am bloody dying....
  • 5 0
 I do this too, but find I have to apply a small squirt of WD-40 to keep the squeaky clean brakes from squeaking. Works wonders. Along with topping up the top cap fluid.
  • 31 0
 When dirt is built up it gets brushed off with a dry brush.

Drivetrain is cleaned / relubed every ride

Few times a year cassette/chainring get tossed in dishwasher (usually when wife is away to minimize the discussion on the benefits)
  • 11 1
 Lmao you're nuts
  • 2 0
 Haha this one got me....makes me want to do it just to confuse my wife
  • 3 0
 Not sure about the dishwasher trick, but otherwise this is the way to go. Brush of dirt, clean and lube drivetrain, clean stanctions and wiper seals. I know people who refuse to ride in the rain, but have to replace their bearings more often than me because of how heavy handed they are with the hose.
  • 37 3
 I don't wash my bike because I'm worried I will fry the batteries.
  • 7 0
 lol
  • 28 0
 One of the best things I ever did was to stop using soap, just spray it off and use a brush and rag to clean it up. It gets just as clean but it seems to leave the grease alone and I get far fewer of the annoying squeaks that I used to get after washing the bike.
  • 2 0
 This
  • 6 1
 Muck-Off (tm)
  • 1 0
 @rnayel: or purple simple green. Don't use the green stuff if you have a gloss/semi-gloss paint job.
  • 3 0
 If you wash your ass you best use soap. -B.B
  • 2 0
 @Boardlife69: just listened to this. Nice reference.
  • 2 0
 @rrolly: Do not use simple green! It is a high powered degreaser that will literally clean the grease right from your bearings.
  • 31 0
 Don’t destroy the PLOD (Protective Layer Of Dirt)
  • 25 5
 A clean mountain bike is one of the saddest things I can imagine.
  • 4 0
 My friends - your garage is so neat and everything is so clean. Followed by - whoa why is your bike so dirty?
Me - riding it.
  • 2 0
 This needs to be higher up. A clean bike is right up there with a clean truck. I see a big heavy duty pickup truck going down the road... Absolutely spotless, not a scratch on it, and reflects like a mirror. Sure, clean LOOKS nice, but that's sort of missing the point of a truck. Part of me is saddened and thinks, "sorry, but that isn't really a truck." My 2005 F350's got a V10 and a long bed... Glossy white, so sure, it looks nice and shiny, except where the bed is scratched and dirty from use, the tires are worn down and dusty, and there're mud sprays up the fender area. Same goes for bikes. If you use it as it should be, it won't be showroom perfect. Clean on as needed basis. I try and pull the long grass and whatnot out of the drivetrain, but yeah, there's some dust/dried mud around the downtube/bb/seatstay/chainstay/seattube etc. Big Grin
  • 17 1
 I never clean my bike, I do however on a regular basis, clean the chain, cassette, and chainrings, and occasionally clean all of the grit out of the linkage. Only really clean the moving parts. everything else stays filthy.
  • 6 0
 I am surprised more folks haven't made this same comment. I have better things to do than clean so that my bike looks pretty. But cleaning mechanical parts actually benefits the performance of the bike and how long the components last.
  • 1 1
 ^this for me, spray lube all over the frame for customers
  • 18 0
 When I look at it and the dirt disturbes me.
  • 9 0
 I wash on an "as needed" basis, or before major maintenance. Dont worry much about dust, but do keep dirt from building up. So depending on weather and season, the frequency can vary a lot. Chain does gets a regular wipe down and lube though.
  • 11 0
 I think this is the way to do it if you mostly ride dry conditions, although I would add a quick stanchion wipe before every ride. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I worry that washing too often could actually push debris into your wiper seals and bearings and may require more frequent service and re-greasing.
  • 4 0
 @dlxah: It's proper technique. Put your hand in front of the spray, know the force your putting out. Don't point at the bearings. Hand polish these areas.
  • 9 0
 I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Then I apply an herb-mint facial masque which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion. Don't really wash my bike at all.
  • 1 0
 Bateman, is it you? Found a new use for that chainsaw?
  • 9 0
 Depends. Maybe once every week or two if conditions are dry. Every ride if it's muddy.
  • 3 14
flag Joelukens00 (Aug 4, 2018 at 13:39) (Below Threshold)
 The place for your opinion was in the poll data. Nobody needs to hear your god damn life story in the comments. You aren't special so don't get cocky
  • 6 1
 @Joelukens00: Where did that come from? Have I done something to offend you? My opinion wasn't reflected in the poll and I hardly think my 16 word reply was particularly special and certainly not cocky...
  • 10 0
 @ askskier: He's from Bend, OR, so he only loves cock. They are the dirtiest of US trust funded hippy's and covered in herpes. Even their bikes have herpes. Immediately disregard anything anyone from Oregon says.
  • 5 0
 There is a difference between cleaning for the sake of cleaning and cleaning for the sake of maintaining. Then not cleaning it at all is as bad as the first one.
Clean it too often then put it away wet in your damp garage: you’re doing more harm than good, hope you like buying new bearings and your bike falling apart.
Never clean it cus you’re a bro and cleaning bikes sucks: hope you like buying new bearings and your bike falling apart.
Wanna spend less money on wrecked bearings then you need to make it clean and free from moisture. Dirt is a moisture sponge not a barrier. Moisture wrecks stuff. Equally if you clean it till you can see your face in it but put it away wet (did you really floss dry those linkages?) in a damp environment that moisture is just sitting there trapped where you don’t want it.
And then even if that bro layer of bro dust is all dry then you put it in your damp garage...you get the idea.
Dirt isn’t necessarily the problem. Heroin is a problem. And moisture.
  • 3 0
 On the cleaning then put away wet front, I always (if it's not raining) take it for a quick spin around the neighborhood to make sure everything gets dried out.
  • 5 0
 Lolz with the exception of the current collapse in the climate. Which has its downside such as famine, food chain collapse, fires, desertification etc yawn. Here in the the uk we could not care less. Because for once we are not cleaning our bikes . You ask that question any other time summer or winter the answer would be every single ride, not just the bike, but everything. . Stand in the garden and hose yourself down starting at your head all the way to your feet. Then the bike. Then dry it all and repeat the next ride, pretty much all through the autumn winter and spring . So yay global warming we have actually not had to wash our bikes in months.
  • 2 0
 Amen brother
  • 4 0
 I just give the stanchions and seals a good wiping and clean and lube the drivetrain. I don't think hosing your bike down helps it. It I ride in real sloppy mud I will hose it down afterwards because the harm has already been done but generally I don't think washing your bike is a good thing, just works dirt down into the bearings.
  • 3 0
 I had a friend who washed his bike after every ride, and he always ended up with contaminated brake pads because the water was blasting oil/grease onto the rotor.

I do mine with a damp rag whenever something needs adjusting and I stay away from the brakes. A few times a year (and after every mud-race) I do a full overhaul of the bike (linkage, bb, headset, etc) and that takes care of any worked in dirt.
  • 5 0
 I picked "after every ride" only because there's no "whenever it gets dirt on it" option. I go way too far with cleaning my bikes.
  • 3 0
 My bike is like a cat,it is always clean an nice but never take a shower,,,hahaha. I clean forks&shock and drive train almost every time I ride,and clean the rest of the bike (vinyl cover)with a wet rag. Every 4 month all bearings are check and clean.
  • 4 1
 Correlate this poll with a poll asking "how often do you have to change frame bearings?" Or "how noisy is your bike", or even "how's your suspension running?"

I guarantee a significant correlation.
Excessive washers (such as every ride) usually suffer much more from such issues. Most rides dont justify a full wash, and riders wash too aggressively.
  • 3 0
 Bullshit. You must work at a shop.
  • 2 0
 With you on the bearings part, got a mate who jet washes his bikes and he replaces frame and linkage bearings more than the whole of our group.
  • 1 0
 @Seawild66: LoL, yeah. you got me. Can't stop the crazy flow of customers since i posted this reply. Can hardly keep up Smile

I did, many years ago. Enough time to see the damage excessive washing does. Now my job is vastly less interesting, trust me.
  • 4 0
 I put my efforts into a thorough pressure wash right on the bottom bracket after every ride. They still seem to wear pretty quickly tho..
  • 2 0
 When its dry, i only wipe the stanctions and dropper, a bit of dry lube on the chain and thats it, when its wet( mostly it is, exept this summer!) then i wash it completely, my DH AND enduro bike sit in my living room, so they have to be clean as a whistle ????
  • 2 0
 I clean as I go. If any mud or dust hits my bike on a ride I just stop, unpack my camelbak full of cleaning products and give her a good buff N lube up and carry on. This way ur ride never gets dirty! If it’s really muddy out I carry my bike round my route. Sorted :-D
  • 3 0
 During the winter I definitely wash it more to get all the mud off but during the summer I just leave it. Its just going to get dirty again so as long as my suspension and bearings are okay then its chill
  • 7 1
 My bike? Once a month -ish.

My drivetrain? Every ride.
  • 4 10
flag Joelukens00 (Aug 4, 2018 at 13:41) (Below Threshold)
 Really cool dude !!
  • 4 2
 Full suspension gets washed a lot less these days because I ride my hardtail when it's really soggy, maybe once a month or every couple months if it's dry (thank you climate change!). The hardtail will cake up for at least 5-6 rides before it gets a wash, because no pivots.. of course it depends on the kind of mud.
  • 5 2
 Hardtail, singlespeed, flat pedals. Pure low maintenance bliss.
  • 7 3
 Sadly, it's just not as fun riding a hardtail in the park and on downhill trails
  • 8 5
 @MTBrent: low maintenance bliss is where the bliss ends. For everything else its just not that much fun.
  • 4 2
 @tbubier: depends entirely on what your local trails are like. I consider myself unlucky as there is barely a decent off road hill within 30 miles of my house, but the silver lining is the low maintenance bliss of my s. speed hardtail.
  • 5 2
 @tbubier: Fixed it for ya: "For everything else it's still a ton of fun."
  • 4 0
 I'll clean my service my linkage bearings monthly, but have found that incessant water washing has led to more problems in areas that are sealed or semi sealed
  • 1 0
 Disregard my typos, but you get the picture
  • 2 0
 I agree. I have had a couple headset bearings seize from hosing down my bike. My usual tactic now is to let the dirt dry and wipe it off, but I generally avoid the hose. I clean and lube my chain every ride, though.
  • 1 0
 @DMal: same things that I do. Clean derailleur mech and drivetrain every ride, brakes as needed, and brushes/cloth to wipe everything else down.
  • 3 1
 I wash my bike whenever it gets any mud on it, typically every ride or two. My cleaning procedure is:
> Rinse with a hose
> Spray with a mixture of dish soap and water in an old muck-off bottle
> Clean with a sponge and soft brush
> Rinse
> Apply SC-1 for a cherry fresh showroom shine! It looks like new after each wash.
I'll wipe clean and lube the chain each ride. I'll degrease it with motorcycle chain clean when it gets nasty, rinse, wd-40 to remove water and re-lube.
  • 3 0
 I never put water on my DH bike just dry brushing and everything seemed to last longer. No funny creaks etc... bike always felt new. Now my new bike I’ve been spraying with water and it’s degrading faster I think ????
  • 3 1
 Just the drivetrain parts. Living in So Cal my bikes don't see much or any mud. If it was muddy after each ride...then yeah...I'd clean it...otherwise...nope. I think my bike got really muddy once...and that was because it started raining on a ride.
  • 3 0
 None of the options really fit me. Depends on the conditions, if it's wet and muddy I wash it after the ride. During dry summer conditions every 4 or 5 rides.
  • 1 0
 I bring my portable pressure washer- Mountain Washer with me every ride. Best product I've purchased yet unrelated to my bike lol . Totally need it for BC's north shore rainy days. Clean bike, clean gear, clean car seats = Happy Wife!
  • 4 0
 I use three baby napkins to wash my MTB after every ride. :-)
(This is the advantage of riding in Athens) .
  • 5 0
 Why would I wash my bike?
  • 2 0
 When i shower, my bike showers. Sometimes i put my trainer in the shower to clean me, my bike, and all while i get ready for the next race. Works a treat. Many birds, one stone.
  • 1 0
 Clean and lube chain every ride. Wipe down stanchions and dropper with micro towel almost every ride. Wash bike before wrenching on it or if it gets really muddy. Spraying the bike off (especially with a pressure washer) can do more harm then good in some cases. A ton of those sleek internal cable routing ports are NOT waterproof! Water inside the frame will take forever to dry up. A bike rep once told me to never wash my bikes upside down or with a pressure washer... I guess that doesn't apply for factory race teams?
  • 1 0
 the "washing after ride" selection being the top picked is lie.. lol i know for fact not that many of you wash ur bike after every ride. maybe a few but not the majority of riders. the last option should be picked more than that. I work in a shop and i cant tell you how many people expect washing to be part of basic service or admit to not washing there bike all year
  • 1 0
 My bike lives in my flat so it gets washed after every ride just to keep my living space clean! Add in the larch disease we're trying to control over here and washing after every ride becomes second nature. Helps that, apart from the last few weeks which are an anomaly, every ride is usually wet at some point so a quick was down with my portable washer is easy if you do it as soon as you stop.
  • 1 0
 My two young daughters earn pocket money washing my bike, so it gets washed whenever they have an urgent need for extra dollars. I pay them minimum AU 1 hour wage for the job. Otherwise, probably only once every 6 months. And no, I will not say how frequently they have an urgent need for extra money. Other fathers on here will know the likely frequency of such requests and hence the likely frequency of bearing replacements. Smile
  • 1 0
 I wash my bike whenever it needs it. Used to blast the f*ck out of it with water, then some dish soap and a rag but now I don't use any pressure with the water, still use a little dish soap and rag though. Next day after it's dry, wipe off chain and brush drive train off, then lube. Bike shop was telling me I was getting water in all kinds of places water shouldn't be. I wash my bike 'cause I like it looking clean. That's just me. I feel better riding a clean bike too. I'll replace parts when worn out from washing as needed and get fork/shock serviced as needed too.
  • 1 0
 After a wet/muddy ride it gets cleaned straight away (part of the joys of apartment/city life, but on the other hand seeing my bikes hanging on the living room wall is pretty awesome).

During the dry season, I'll wipe everything down (seals and slidey bits first) with a damp rag but that's not really much of a clean. After a few weeks of layering on that dusty gunk I'll give it a proper wash. Repeat as needed.

I find an ultra clean, shiny, scratch free bike without any dirt on it a little bit sad....unless it's new bike day.
  • 1 0
 My transmission has to be always clean and perfectly working, so I pretty often clean and lub my chain, derailleur and such. The rest doesn`t need to be clean all the time, except probably the fork`s seals. Also I mostly ride a steel aggressive hardtail for almost everything, so I have no rear suspension issues and a minimum maintenance therefore ;-)
  • 3 0
 I just put my bike in the back of my truck and go through the car wash. Works everytime. Super Deluxe mode.
  • 1 1
 What a dumb azz survey. How about, answer: when it needs it. My bike’s always tuned and my drive train is clean and lubed. There’s now way I’m going to wash it every frickin ride, then ask why are my bearings are feeling rough. When my bike gets muddy or dirty because of rain and dirt sticking to it, it gets cleaned. I usually use a little dawn dish soap and a little car wash soap and almost never use high pressure wash unless that’s all that’s available and never pointed directly at the bearing. I’m with coyoterun, Muckoff!
  • 3 0
 In college I washed in it dorm showers. Now i wash it in apartment showers. One day I'll have a house with a hose Smile .....
  • 3 1
 Seals, stanchions, and drivetrain after every ride with a dry rage. Bike wash spray on frame when it’s dusty every week or so, then a gentle wet brush/rinse if muddier.
  • 3 0
 *rag
  • 7 0
 @andnyleswillriot: RAGE worked better Smile Smile
  • 6 2
 The old dirt insulats the bearing from New dirt. Leave it alone
  • 1 7
flag Joelukens00 (Aug 4, 2018 at 13:40) (Below Threshold)
 I really hope you don't actually do that. If you do that is truly pathetic. I know A LOT about bike maintenance and you should NEVER get dirt on your bike. You are probably rich and don't think about other people.
  • 3 0
 Once a year at the end of the riding season before it goes away for the winter
  • 4 0
 Next Pink Bike Poll - Coke or Pepsi?
  • 4 1
 Coke
  • 1 0
 Tide or Sunlight?
  • 4 2
 water = bad

only wash when needed

or when totally saturated

Every ride = dork

same rule applies for automotive + every other mechanical thing.
  • 3 1
 poll should read:
After every ride
after every 2-3 rides
etc

as needed is vague
once a week is meaningless if you ski, or don't ride often
  • 3 0
 I just use dehydrated water as causes much less issues with torque-sensitive moving parts.
  • 3 0
 I dip my bike in diesel fuel then rinse over the storm drain, bi-weekly at 4:47pm.
  • 2 0
 The answer to this survey depends wildly on the local climate. A two question survey would go a long way toward being able to parse better data.
  • 3 0
 I clean my bikes with q-tips takes me 24 hrs.but i really get to know the subtle nuances of every part
  • 1 1
 all i will say is that i love to wash my bike. really enjoy it. i wash my vehicles often and enjoy having the things i love clean. my friends say i go to far as i add tire shine to the wheels haha. fyi bike is for sale. visit for super clean photos.
  • 3 0
 Why is there no option 'when it's dirty'?
  • 1 0
 agree "none of the above" choice is missing
but I had to randomly pick a box just to view the results, so "view results" without voting choice is also missing
  • 4 0
 Dust no... Mud yes...
  • 1 0
 “Most of the time, I use whatever degreaser is laying around...” Come on, Daniel, are you that grammatically challenged? Proper word is ‘lying’ around. Jeeezzz.
  • 1 0
 Wash based on need really. If it is really dry for an extended period of time then, then I just wipe down every onelce and a while.
  • 1 0
 Retallack had Muc Off to use and then I bought some. Bike is quiter overall and shifts better with a weekly spray-off. Consider me a convert.
  • 3 0
 Come on PB! Where's the common sense answer? When it's muddy!
  • 3 0
 Caustic sweat. Every ride.
  • 4 1
 I need an option of "not enough"
  • 1 2
 I don't "wash" my bikes because I don't let them get dirty enough to need to be "washed". When I do a mud ride I rinse them off with water and wipe down with the terry towel I use to wipe the excess oil off my chains that also never need to get cleaned or"washed".

After a rain ride they get a quick wipe down with the chain towel. When they are dusty they get a wipe with a damp cloth. I occasionally apply chain oil and wipe them down for a rich shine and to protect them. Your bikes like chain oil. They don't like any of the other shit people put on them.

Your bike should never get dirty enough to need wash, soap, detergent or degreaser all of which seep in where you don't want them and break down lubricants. If they don't break down lubricants what do you need them for? Its water.
  • 2 0
 They should clarify, I CLEAN my bike after every ride, but I never wash it.
  • 1 0
 I like to rinse the sandy grit from the fork and shock wiper seals after every ride. Maybe just give the whole bike a good dousing with the garden hose while I'm at it.
  • 1 0
 As a kid my BMX would get a complete teardown and reassemble every week, now I just give my Kona a wipe down and chain lube before every ride. So I checked after every ride.
  • 1 0
 Winter after every ride, summer ((like the one we’re having in the UK at the moment) normally it’s a dry wipe and lube, then washed every couple of weeks.
  • 2 0
 I may have washed mine in 2016, or perhaps it was 2015. The chain gets a clean more often though Razz
  • 2 0
 I take a high pressure hose and just blast the fuck out of my bearings. After. Every. Ride.
  • 2 0
 My bike has never seen a hose, but then it's been strangely dry since I got it.
  • 2 1
 Can all the girls and guys who ticked "my mechanic takes care of it" please reply with your name and occupation. I want to see how many are tooth doctors.
  • 1 0
 Only when crossing the border or after a mud ride. Water kills bearings (those seals keep the grease in, not the water out)...
  • 2 0
 most quorate answer for me is: when the bike is dirty to a level it can damage the suspension seals.
  • 1 0
 Clean with a moist towel as needed. I rarely use a garden hose or pressure washer. (Unless it’s the downhill bike and it’s covered in grime, then it gets the Hose again!)
  • 1 0
 I do mine every now and then. I lube my chain every ride though. I trust all the Muc Off and Pedro’s bike lust products but nothing else.
  • 2 4
 Wash your bike every day, even if you haven't been for a ride.

What's that?
Your bike has suddenly developed a creak/click/knock/other random noise?

No problem Sir/Madam/Other, I can strip your frame and replace your dirty old bearings in a jiffy, for a small (/large) fee.

Seriously though, I wish folks would just ride their bikes and then wipe the stanchions before they put them away. That's all you need to do. Washing is only necessary if the bike is caked from going out on a very muddy ride (which, in my opinion should be avoided as FS bikes don't like getting wet at all)

My personal FS bike gets ridden 3X a week (dry weather only for the FS) and then brushed with a stiff brush and the stanchions get a wipe before I put it away. It doesn't make any noises and everything is smooth. I only have to replace the bearings once every 18 months.
  • 4 0
 I wash my bike almost every ride and there's not a single squeak or creak on it. Nor have I ever had one develop due to washing.

Do you know people who wash with degreaser?
  • 1 0
 Yes.
  • 1 0
 Only when I run over dog shit ( fing' dog owners ), otherwise wipe down. I don't ride muddy trails because it ruins them.
  • 2 0
 Article sponsored by Muc Off
  • 3 0
 ah, I should have thought of that...they should have changed that to:


How often do you typically Muc Off your bike?

• Muc Off After every ride

• Muc Off Only when it rains

•  Muc Off Every week, even the bike was just sitting there

• Muc OffEvery month, even the bike was just sitting there

• Muc Off Seasonally, a few times a year

• I don't, the dirt on my bike Muc Off itself. Muc Off!!!!

• I don't know, my mechanic Muc Off it
  • 1 0
 CT18– that’s what gets the muck out without needing to scrub, it’s expensive though!
  • 3 0
 Slow news day?
  • 1 0
 Dirty bike allows me to ride as much as I wanted, whenever I wanted. A shop owner pal nags me so much it's music.
  • 1 0
 After every ride????????????

This is a pretty safe way to destroy every bearing in a short time.
  • 1 0
 Depends on how you’re washing. If you’re using a hose and lots of water, then yeah. If it’s just bike wash spray and a rag, hardly.
  • 1 0
 It's not necessarily good for your bike to wash it and can be bad for it if you are hosing it. The bearings anyway.
  • 1 0
 I stopped washing my bike when disc brakes were invented. Unless I run over dog poo.
  • 1 0
 Clean shock and fork after every ride. And wash bike after i know i wont be riding for a while. Like 5 days or a week.
  • 1 0
 I only wash the bike after a bike park trip . gotta love the free wash !
  • 1 0
 Rarely, it is being washed during service )
  • 1 0
 I so wanted to choose the last answer lol
  • 1 0
 Only SC1 « New bike in a can »
  • 1 0
 Needs an only to work on it option.
  • 1 0
 Car wash. When it's too dirty.
  • 1 0
 With a low pressure washer hopefully, otherwise I am not sure your bearings appreciate...
  • 1 0
 I wash it when it gets too dirty or after every muddy/wet ride
  • 1 0
 I think last option is best, but do my own wrenching
  • 1 0
 i wash my bike depending on the amount of mud on my legs
  • 1 0
 the only poll answer should be, "wash it when it needs to be washed"
  • 2 2
 No option for industrial dishwasher once a week?
  • 1 0
 When it needs it.







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