Pointers: Hippie Bike Wash 21

A little planning allows Mother Nature to help out with the water-saving hippie bike wash. Share your bike washing pointers in the comments!
Credit: gordo
Related:
How-To / Instruction
21 comments

View replies to: Pointers: Hippie Bike Wash

avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
mtbschrader
8 years ago
I brush off the drive train and wipe the suspension pretty much after every ride. Lube chain roughly every 3-5 rides and only really clean the whole thing a few times a year. And then just wet rags, baby wipes and toothbrush. Never a hose. It stays nice and never takes too much time at once.
1
c50 91068900 1273758280
quasibinaer
13 years ago
I´m not a hippie at all. And I don´t have the time to take it all apart every week (roughly once a year is manageable though). So what I do is simply lean it against a tree (very hippie-esque!), use a hose in shower mode and soak it gently. Think of it as speckling. Then spray on some muc-off and let the nanothingies do their work. Maybe I´ll use a brush for the really dirty bits. Shower-mode for the hose again, wash `er down and voila. 30 mins in the sun and it´s good as new!
c50 SmileySmall.jpg?VersionId=7cbiXICUreIggnYf2QSvY O 2B4.Dfe
Big Bird
13 years ago
I used to have the luxury of having a creek in my backyard. Ride, get muddy, get home, dip some water to rinse the bike while still wet and drip dry. Oh, and I guess lube the chain.
c50 IMG 7366.jpg?VersionId=ntgF76WWmy9FuXEdsNXZWGkbI
Marshall
13 years ago
I have had my downhillbike for 3 years now and have ridden it HARD. I have never hosed it down, and the thing is in perfect condition.
Every time my friends sit on it they say the same thing. "How do you get you bike this perfect! Everything is so dialed!"
c50 seastep.jpg?VersionId=O037jOYFxsbv3c3ZzP
Ol Dirty Jose G
13 years ago
I don't really understand the theory of not washing your bike, even if you use a high pressure sprayer your not getting as much water where it ought not be as a few runs in the rain or driving back from that race in a rainstorm with your bike on your roof. I think it's best for the bike to get corrosive grit out of bearings ASAP and do regular maintenance (greasing) to handle the residual water issue (shouldn't be spraying around these areas anyways)
1
c50 IMG 7366.jpg?VersionId=ntgF76WWmy9FuXEdsNXZWGkbI
Marshall
13 years ago
I agree with RMX1 on this one. I never wash my bike for the exact same reasons. Bikes get trashed from being washed. Taking you bike apart and cleaning each individual part then re greasing each part make a night and day difference, and it will make you bike last a heck of a lot longer.
c50 92787090 1286220460.jpg?VersionId=2WlukcjmgkCf33P3DleR
rmx1
13 years ago
to be honest i NEVER wash my bike no matter how dirty it is, washing your bike gets all the water and grime in the bearings and in other parts it shouldnt be in! i take the time to pull my bike entirely apart and use a wet rag to clean everything. eco friendly AND saving my bike!
after that i drive my 4mpg lincoln navigator to the local forest and shoot various endangered species. =D
c50 88862300 1261679964
FCTRY
13 years ago
How about tapping a spigot into your rubbermade tub and putting it up somewhere high, then you can use that hose you have sitting there, and not look like quite such a hobo.
c50 20082940 438A
JonnyDH
13 years ago
I like to use a power washer and undiluted industrial degreaser. Soak the bike in degreaser and don't worry if you use to much, plants and fish love that stuff. Then use the power washer to clean your hubs, pivots, bb, fork seals, and head set. Get in really close with the nozzle on all these parts so that you don't leave any dirt behind. Don't bother with a brush, if it looks clean while its wet it'll dry to a buffed finish - you'll be amazed! Don't wipe it down after either, just let it air dry for like a week. When your done it's like your bike is brand new - or maybe you'll just need a brand new bike - either way - score! And the nice about this method is you can use the power washer to fend off hippies or anyone else with a bit of common sense who tries to tell you to stop cleaning your bike that way.
Screenshot 2022-10-21 at 13.52.06
ERNSTEVERYTHING.COM
13 years ago
*spray diluted simple green 1min
*leave for 15 mins
*Hose down 2 mins
*dry or ride round block.
we don't all have 4 days to wash our bikes.. or rain..
if you were really hippie, you wouldn't have a bike and you would stink..
c50 JPC ZEdit MtSnow Finals 2 1543430896.jpg?VersionId=ud0f8F3xANsd6rZ.Gc6TIWwa
sideshow
13 years ago
jimjam, I've also found tears of children to work well when re-greasing bearings. Have you tried using eagle feathers to get the larger chucks of dirt off the bike before the wash? I was using whale baleen, but they just scratched the paint too much. And a pro tip I picked up in the pits in 2010 was unicorn blood in the brake lines - but it is a little pricey. Other than that, I think the normal regiment of mink fur with zebra polish to really bring the shine out will be a good way to finish up the process.
c50 2815784612 33f5a3d7f4.jpg?VersionId=WJh1OlkvNE
Jackass123456789
13 years ago
ha ha, that bike isn't dirty, try washing your bike like that after riding here in the UK!
At least we have the rain water to fill that bucket up everyday!!
c50 89863560 1260503182.jpg?VersionId=UxYSWaDlP
white wolf
13 years ago
jimjam knows whats up but aquafina is the best if you have a truck made outside of america
c50 fb picture 1204192971
adamshore
13 years ago
He forgot to lube the rotors after spraying them with degreaser! He's likely going to slow down way too fast and hurt himself...
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
jimjam
13 years ago
To wash my bike, first I give it a good soaking - I like to fill the tub of my pickup truck with evian, or any other premium bottled water. Then I'll aggravate it by doing donuts in a meadow full of wild flowers.

After that I rub the bike down with panda pelt, I might need to use some gorilla's hands to get into the hard to reach bits. I'll like to make sure my bike is nice and dry so an industrial space heater works well.
Following that, obviously I need to lube the drive train. Whale oil works well I find. And then I'm good to go!