The Shiny New All-Purpose MTB Thread
Posted by: matthewr on 10 May 2004
Becuase having one called "Paging Matthew" is starting to annoy me.
My question is: does anyone have any experience of using petrol station jet washers to clean one's bike? I've never done it as I've always heeded the dire warnings about getting water in your bearings, forks, pedals, etc. and everything rusting up a few weeks later. In practice, and presuming I don't blast my bottom bracket directly, how likely is this to cause any actual harm?
The reason I ask is that living in a 4th floor flat with no garage and no secure storage I have a real problem when my bike gets dirty and it would be a million times easier if I could come home via a petrol station and get most of the mud off.
My previous bike I used to, I kid you not, clean it in the bath with the shower. However, with disk breaks meaning wheel removal is not very practical, this is not an option anymore: So unless I can use a jet washer I am faced with endless hassle and lectures about mud in the hallway from the woman in my building who thinks she owns the place.
So any ideas for getting my bike clean very quickly gratefully received.
Matthew
My question is: does anyone have any experience of using petrol station jet washers to clean one's bike? I've never done it as I've always heeded the dire warnings about getting water in your bearings, forks, pedals, etc. and everything rusting up a few weeks later. In practice, and presuming I don't blast my bottom bracket directly, how likely is this to cause any actual harm?
The reason I ask is that living in a 4th floor flat with no garage and no secure storage I have a real problem when my bike gets dirty and it would be a million times easier if I could come home via a petrol station and get most of the mud off.
My previous bike I used to, I kid you not, clean it in the bath with the shower. However, with disk breaks meaning wheel removal is not very practical, this is not an option anymore: So unless I can use a jet washer I am faced with endless hassle and lectures about mud in the hallway from the woman in my building who thinks she owns the place.
So any ideas for getting my bike clean very quickly gratefully received.
Matthew
Living in the "sticks" mean you get this sort of thing close to home (both pics from tonights ride):
Which is nice. I had quite a relaxed ride tonight but I did manage one of the climbs (to a pass at 400m) a gear higher (2/2) that ever before, which was also nice (one my legs stopped shaking and I could draw breath again).
Which is nice. I had quite a relaxed ride tonight but I did manage one of the climbs (to a pass at 400m) a gear higher (2/2) that ever before, which was also nice (one my legs stopped shaking and I could draw breath again).
Hat: I prefer the "potty"/skate style myself and have the ubiquitous Dirt Lid. I still have a traditional Giro Gila for when it's very hot but it's actually really quite uncomfortable.
Jersey: A variety of t-shirts and scruffy old sweatshirts. I've never been one for "proper" cycling tops.
Shorts: I used to always where a pair of Stone Monkey loose-but-stretchy cut-off shorts (the sort climbers wear) but recent checking in the mirror has confirmed I can no longer pull these off. I also have a variety of baggy cargo style shorts (and trousers although I almost always wear shorts) without having any particular faves.
I rarely bother with an insert (apart the from first day of the Summer I seem immune to a sore arse) and think cycling shorts are best left to roadies and my mate Penny who looks fab in them.
Gloves: The best gloves are still Fox Sidewinder IIs IMHO but mine are bright blue and have that "Goalkeeper gloves" effect that must have seemed cool at some point (96?) but now look conspicuously stupid. I am currently using some 661 "Nasty" gloves which are great except the palm is too thin and is wearing fast. I am open to suggestions to good full-finger, lightly armoured (ie not DH) gloves.
My fave fingerless are a nondescript a pair of Trek gloves with a gel palm and a towel back.
Waterproofs: I have a very nerdy looking Bike GORE Wear Goretex shell for proper rain, one of those purple Pertex pullovers that everyone had in the mid-90s. Plus a rather snazzy new Race Face Aqualite (or something) that I got cheap from Chain Reaction. On the whole though I tend to avoid rain.
Shades: I have 4 pairs of Brikos with a variety of lenses from a deep red/blazing sun, to some orange-y flatlights, to a yellow one which is great in typical English weather and works well in woodland. Brikos are ace and have lenses as good as Oakleys but cost £40 rather than £140 so you can afford to have a range of lenses.
Footwear: Usually Etnies Mike Vallely which, like their namesake, seem indestructable. Mine have had a variety of abuse over 2 years and still look as good as new.
UNINTERESTING FACTOID: I currently have 7 or 8 pairs of trainers and only one pair of shoes for teh rare occasion I am required to wear a suit.
Matthew
Jersey: A variety of t-shirts and scruffy old sweatshirts. I've never been one for "proper" cycling tops.
Shorts: I used to always where a pair of Stone Monkey loose-but-stretchy cut-off shorts (the sort climbers wear) but recent checking in the mirror has confirmed I can no longer pull these off. I also have a variety of baggy cargo style shorts (and trousers although I almost always wear shorts) without having any particular faves.
I rarely bother with an insert (apart the from first day of the Summer I seem immune to a sore arse) and think cycling shorts are best left to roadies and my mate Penny who looks fab in them.
Gloves: The best gloves are still Fox Sidewinder IIs IMHO but mine are bright blue and have that "Goalkeeper gloves" effect that must have seemed cool at some point (96?) but now look conspicuously stupid. I am currently using some 661 "Nasty" gloves which are great except the palm is too thin and is wearing fast. I am open to suggestions to good full-finger, lightly armoured (ie not DH) gloves.
My fave fingerless are a nondescript a pair of Trek gloves with a gel palm and a towel back.
Waterproofs: I have a very nerdy looking Bike GORE Wear Goretex shell for proper rain, one of those purple Pertex pullovers that everyone had in the mid-90s. Plus a rather snazzy new Race Face Aqualite (or something) that I got cheap from Chain Reaction. On the whole though I tend to avoid rain.
Shades: I have 4 pairs of Brikos with a variety of lenses from a deep red/blazing sun, to some orange-y flatlights, to a yellow one which is great in typical English weather and works well in woodland. Brikos are ace and have lenses as good as Oakleys but cost £40 rather than £140 so you can afford to have a range of lenses.
Footwear: Usually Etnies Mike Vallely which, like their namesake, seem indestructable. Mine have had a variety of abuse over 2 years and still look as good as new.
UNINTERESTING FACTOID: I currently have 7 or 8 pairs of trainers and only one pair of shoes for teh rare occasion I am required to wear a suit.
Matthew
For those with a very strong stomach here is me, fully kitted and on No.3 bike at a snowy Glentress:
quote:
Originally posted by Steve G:
Do you use bar-ends as well?
But of course.
I have a flat bar. Those curvey bars are too moddy-wad by far. Looks like they belong on bmx bikes. Nice for climbing and change of position, but you need to watch out in the woods that you dont get hooked. About long 0 degree stems - no comment.re lycra -- if its comfy on a road bike, why not a mtb? At least they're jerseys for teams I've rode on. I dont yet see pros wearing baggies for XC.
Dan
Steve,
Are you in your Granny on that little hill
Dan
Are you in your Granny on that little hill
Dan
quote:
Originally posted by Dan M:
Steve,
Are you in your Granny on that little hill
I am unwilling to confirm or deny any such allegations!
Anyway it's not a little hill, it's part of this section:
And I was only stopped because the other chap didn't make it round that hairpin, honest...
quote:
Originally posted by Dan M:
But of course.
Nice to see someone living the retro experience...
quote:
Nice for climbing and change of position, but you need to watch out in the woods that you dont get hooked. About long 0 degree stems - no comment.
I run a 120mm 0 degree stem on one of my bikes.
quote:
re lycra -- if its comfy on a road bike, why not a mtb? At least they're jerseys for teams I've rode on. I dont yet see pros wearing baggies for XC.
Pro-XC racers can barely be regarded as mountain bikers. They're really just slightly dusty roadies.
quote:
They're really just slightly dusty roadies.
I resemble that remark