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Pressure Washers

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  • January 18, 2017 at 1:52 pm #26677
    gthornton101

    Does anyone have experience with pressure washers for cleaning bikes?

    I’m looking for something to be able to clean a winter-ridden road bike or my hybrid that’s done some bridalways/muddy tow paths.  Nothing generally too muddy or MTB.

     

    I’ve always thought that you shouldn’t use pressure washers on bikes (even though pro teams do), or is it just not to use them directly on wheel bearings, bottom brackets, headsets etc?

     

    Something like the Mobi V-15 is all over cycle websites so seems like the go to option, or would the cheap as chips option (something like this https://bigwhitebox.co.uk/product/10l-portable-pressure-washer-sprayer/) still be effective?

     

    Advice and recommendations please!

     

    Thanks.

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  • January 25, 2017 at 8:17 pm #885493
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    matthewn5

    Warm water and detergent. I

    Warm water and detergent. I waxed the frame liberally before I built the bike up and it just beads off the frame. Then rinse and dry everything with kitchen paper or old t-shirts or pillow cases. Clean and lube chain. Works for me.

    I have to wasg the bike in the bath as I live in a flat, so no pressure washing here. Still amazed that the Other Half doesn’t complain! Cleaning the bathroom afterwards helps.

    January 24, 2017 at 11:00 pm #885491
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    mattydubster

    +2 for the cheapo hand pump

    +2 for the cheapo hand pump one.  I generally stay on trails this time of year and the bike is guaranteed filthy every single time. I have a Hozelock pesticde manual pressure sprayer thingy for cleaning the harder to reach parts and the drivechain and it is pretty awesome as long as you do it as soon as you get back.

    January 24, 2017 at 10:57 am #885489
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    HowardR

    + one for the cheapo hand

    + one for the cheapo hand pump.

    (This comment was sponsored by ‘Carry on Bonking’ – coming to  cinema near you soon)

     

    January 24, 2017 at 9:34 am #885487
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    Chris James

    The cheapo hand pump one will

    The cheapo hand pump one will work for cleaning a slightly mucky bike enough to put it in the car.

    You definitely won’t damage anything with thiose as they barely have enough oompf to knock the skin off a rice pudding. I have one and have used it after MTB and after the odd cross race. As soon as you have a claggy mixture of mud and grass it struggles and it takes forever to clean a bike.

    The Mobi one is much better, although I have heard tales about them not being very reliable.

    A proper pressure washer is a completely difference beast to either of the other ones, and will clean your bike in seconds, albeit with the risk of stripping grease.

    For your suggested use then I think the chepest hand pumped one would probbaly work. Bear in mind that the more effective the washer then the more water they go through, so you end up needing to take jerry cans with you as well.

    January 24, 2017 at 7:02 am #885485
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    StraelGuy

    Here’s a good tip. Buy a
    Here’s a good tip. Buy a cheap plastic dustpan and brush from the supermarket for a pound or two, the brushes are perfect for bike cleaning.

    January 23, 2017 at 10:03 pm #885483
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    Shades

    The Mobi portable washer is

    The Mobi portable washer is not in the same league as patio or garage forecourt pressure washers, hence its perfect for bike washing; about the same pressure as your garden hose with a nozzle.  If you’re MTBing you can give the bike a quick wash before loading onto the car; shift the dirt whilst its damp, which is easier than the next day when its dried on.

    January 22, 2017 at 9:55 pm #885481
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    riotgibbon

    can’t help thinking there’s a

    can’t help thinking there’s a  bit of confusion here between the bike-specific washers you can get from Chain Reaction, and the much higher pressure ones for your car/patio etc. Pro-teams use high pressure ones because they’ve a lot of gear to clean quickly, with wheels that are going to broken racing long before the impact of washing kicks in. I was at CX race yesterday, just a local one, but loads of people were trundling little portable ones around behind them, I doubt they were pros. I’m sure the ones on Chain Reaction are fine.  We’re going to do a lot more cross next season,  all being well, so with 2 muddy bikes to hoik back, I think I’ll be investing …

    January 22, 2017 at 8:14 pm #885479
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    gnarlyrider

    I fill a pump action oil can

    I fill a pump action oil can with the spare engine oil after car oil changes – there is usually a few 100ml spare.  Fully synthetic oil with pressure additives, free with each oil change.

    January 22, 2017 at 7:43 pm #885477
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    Johnnyvee

    Does anyone else use engine
    Does anyone else use engine oil like Swiss as chain lube? Brilliant idea.

    I too once tried a power washer and wrecked bearings in a front mtb wheel. Never again – car wash is the way to go with a mit or sponge.

    January 22, 2017 at 12:42 pm #885475
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    The _Kaner

    Yep I’ve always used wax/car

    Yep I’ve always used wax/car wash solution, but make sure that you wipe off any rims so that the wax does not settle/harden on those…not good having slippery brake tracks..

     

    January 20, 2017 at 11:02 am #885473
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    MoutonDeMontagne

    I second the Mobi V17

    I second the Mobi V17 reccomendation, specifically in my case, if you live in a flat/house without an outside tap and a hose as in the grand scheme of things, its no more powerful than that. It is however better at shifting the worst of the mud than a pumb sprayer, and useful for rinsing off all the soap once you’ve cleaned it properly with a sponge/brushes. 

    Also works wonders for cleaning the car if you live in a terrace! 

    January 19, 2017 at 9:33 pm #885471
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    huntswheelers

    When bikes come in I wash by

    When bikes come in I wash by hand…. ( don’t work on mucky bikes) generally a quick hose, citrus degrease/wash then a car wash….. hose down…. wipe off excess then use an air line to blow out all the mechs, brakes, shifters…. then I start work….  once stripped… a coat of one of the Waterless Wash n Wax polishes on the frame… then let it dry…. wipe off as we rebuild… leaving a clean and polished bike behind and any grease/oil marks gone…leaves a protective carbuba coating and easier to wash after…  Customers get a bike back in a good as new condition

    Pressure washers….. leave them for cleaning the patio, unless you are tearing down and replacing bearings frequently

    January 19, 2017 at 9:17 pm #885469
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    Swiss

    I also use mobil1 as chain
    I also use mobil1 as chain lube. I use a syringe to apply it. Doesn’t go sticky black and doesn’t wash or wear off in the rain. Nice and quiet.

    January 19, 2017 at 8:51 pm #885467
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    sergius

    Swiss wrote:

    Swiss wrote:
    Car shampoo and warm water. Dry with old towel . Washing up liquid carries salt into cracks and will take shine off lacquer as it’s surfactant s are too harsh. Spray muc off water disperser and wipe over.

     

    That’s interesting, not something I’ve heard before.  A quick google seems to confirm what you are saying (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/advice/why-you-shouldnt-use-washing-up-liquid-to-wash-your-car/), I’ll use the car shampoo in future.

    January 19, 2017 at 7:53 pm #885465
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    Swiss

    Car shampoo and warm water.
    Car shampoo and warm water. Dry with old towel . Washing up liquid carries salt into cracks and will take shine off lacquer as it’s surfactant s are too harsh.
    Spray muc off water disperser and wipe over.

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