Bicycle Washing

[S. Arlington Observer]

After cycling almost daily for a couple of years (I AM taking a break after freezing saddles, especially during this rainy gloom) I have encountered an interesting issue. I live in a condo. After a winter of mud, salt and spray my bike needs a good wash. But we don’t have hose bibs (or a hose) or any other way to wash anything outside at my building. I did put it on the front of a bus in a heavy rain one time, which was mildly effective. (At least I felt it got rid of the salt brine). But that was not a full solution.

In my case I think I can get around this by prevailing on a friend in a single family house to let me come by and use their hose (if I am ever home again on a weekend). But, given the number of condo and apartment dwellers in the area, a place to facilitate cycle washing would be a good infrastructure addition. Or, perhaps, even a commercial opportunity.

What do other multi family dwellers do?

Topic

[Steve O]

@Vicegrip 139701 wrote:

Folks need to keep in mind there is no “Bike” as in “How to wash a bike?” there are all kinds of bikes made with all kinds of parts.How I might wash my 73 world tour is far different than how I would wash a modern crabon framed 105 or Ultegra level equipped bike. My sealed bearing with nicely made additional shields Praxis bottom bracket on the daily ride is far less sensitive to water than my 1973 with cup and cone. No one answer but lots of ways that work when done with common sense.

My method works equally well with all bikes.

[Vicegrip]

@Steve O 139706 wrote:

My method works equally well with all bikes.

True^ Define “Well”.

How not to wash a 1970s era bike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf80DnCgHRQ

[MFC]

Here is something for washing Di2 bikes that might be of use to someone in an apartment without a hose (and with a spouse/significant other/roomate that might object to use of the bathtub):

http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/05/bikes-and-tech/ask-a-mechanic-cleaning-your-di2-bike_407253

[Author]

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