Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Reader “Nancy M” read last week’s article titled How to Keep Your Bike Clean and asked this excellent question:
“Any tips for those of us who live in the city and don’t have access to a hose and/or driveway? City riding picks up all kinds of nastiness and I’d really like to clean more often. I have a bike stand and clean my bike over a large plastic tarp in my small living room, but a bucket of soapy water is not an option. Thanks!”
John’s Tip
Shortly after Nancy asked the question, reader John Tonetti replied with this simple and great tip for her:
“Silca bike wipes. Trust me. You won’t be disappointed.”
I have no experience with the product John highly recommends, but I have used similar wipes from ProGold called ProTowels and they work really well. I’ve seen other wipes like these too. So, I will provide three options below.
Why Wipes are so Handy
With wipes you don’t need a bucket of water and soap. Instead you clean things with the disposable wipes by just wiping the parts. You still want to protect the floor because grit, grime and gunk can fall to the ground as you’re cleaning and make a mess. But there won’t be a puddle of filthy water running across the room to try to contain and deal with afterward.
If the plan is to always use wipes to clean a bike, I would recommend never letting the bike get too dirty because it’s difficult to clean thick gunk buildup off the drivetrain with wiping alone. Nancy said “city riding,” so I’m assuming she isn’t riding a mountain bike on muddy trails too, which would be a much more difficult cleaning job.
I also find that it’s easier to keep bikes clean if you use dry lubes rather than wet lubes. The former don’t pick up as much grit and grime. There are dry wax- and oil-based lubes. Both will get dirty but wax tends to remain cleaner in my experience. So if you want to limit the need of a full bike wash with soap and water, sticking with a wax drivetrain lube is the way to go.
In the description of the ProGold ProTowels below you’ll see that it says “Not for use on untreated carbon frames.” That got me wondering whether or not these types of wipes could harm the different types of bicycle frame, wheel and component materials and the finishes on them, such as painted, matte and brushed, anodized, etc. As far as I could determine, none of the products listed below specifically say that they are safe for use on all materials, surfaces or finishes. So, I would recommend not using them on anything you’re concerned about until you know they’re safe. You could test them on a small, inconspicuous area of your frame as a test.
What to Use On The Frame and Wheels
You could also just use wipes for cleaning the grimy components. And then use something safe such as microfiber cloths to clean and polish the frame (both wet and dry cloths). Or something bike-specific and finish-specific from bike or car cleaning product lines. Finish Line makes one called Showroom Polish and Protectant .
These are sprays that you apply and wipe off to clean and polish the frame. So they won’t make a mess as long as you watch where you’re spraying. They leave the bike looking like new (or as close as it can) and help it stay clean too.
For years I have used Lemon Pledge spray furniture wax to clean and wax my steel, carbon and titanium bicycles and carbon wheels. I spray it on a soft cloth and wipe and dry to clean and polish. You can pick it up at most major grocery stores in the cleaners aisle for less than $10 and a can lasts a long time.
WIPES
Silca Gear Wipes
Here’s a photo of what I could find on the Silca website about the wipes John likes. It turns out that the official name is Silca Gear Wipes. I noticed that they are sold out on both the Silca site and on Amazon, so I don’t know if these are readily available now or not. The price listed on the Silca site is $38. You get 110 wipes, each 8 x 12 inches and dual-sided. Silca also lists individually packaged Gear Wipes at $16 for a 12-pack.
This is how they describe them: “Silca Gear Wipes are two-sided, disposable towels designed to remove dirt, grease oils, and sweat from your cycling gear. Each wipe contains a textured scrubbing side for removal of heavy dirt or grime and a soft polishing side for finish cleaning which leaves behind a spotless shine. The wipes use cosmetic grade cleaning agents which are safe for use on hands and skin but contain no lotions or moisturizers which can leave behind streaks or slimy residues.”
ProGold ProTowels
Here are the ProGold ProTowels I’ve used. In the container there are 90 wipes for $30 that sound similar to Silca’s by ProGold’s description:
“Combines a powerful cleaning formula of solvents proven to be tough yet safe with a strong 8 x 12 inch industrial strength, super absorbent, dual-textured towel. Features a textured side for scrubbing and a smooth side for gentler applications. Scrub with the textured side then wipe clean with the smooth side. The Pro Towel dynamic performance formula makes simple cleaning bikes soiled by the toughest chain lube, dirt, grease, and grime. VOC compliant. Not for use on untreated carbon frames.”
Tub O’ Towels
In searching for other wipes, I found a non bike-specific cleaning wipe called Tub O’ Towels on Amazon https://amzn.to/4nb83Yl . With these you get 90 wipes. The wipes are a little larger at 10 x 12 inches and the price currently is $14.95, so about half the price of ProGold.
Tub O’ Towels are described as “10 x 12 inch heavy duty wet cleaning wipes. The strongest and largest wet paper towel cleaning wipe. No water required. Removes heavy stains others won’t including: grease, tar, ink, paint, permanent marker, wax, scuffs, lipstick, nail polish, food and drinks, pet stains and more. These moist towels are gentle on hands and skin. Wipes contain aloe, vitamin E and lanolin to protect your hands and leave them clean and soft. Our heavy duty cleaning wipes do not contain disinfecting or antibacterial properties. Tub O’ Towels can be used as automotive and car cleaning wipes, for the office, boating, and RVs, and around the home. Use these tough cleaning wipes on fabric and carpet, leather, vinyl, metal, countertops, walls, for cleaning appliances, tile, cabinets, toilets, tubs and more.”
Finish Line Gear Floss
It isn’t a wipe but Finish Line’s Gear Floss is another nice tool to add to a bike cleaning kit. As its name says, it’s basically a floss that makes it easier to clean in tight areas such as the spaces between cassette cogs, chainrings and derailleur pulleys. Just like with dental floss you use a shoe-shine motion to clean and the Gear Floss soaks up the gunk and carries it away. For more information: https://www.finishlineusa.com/products/cleaning-tools/gear-floss-microfiber-rope
Your Turn
Those are some products to consider for wiping bikes and components clean, while not having to deal with buckets, hoses and water. Thanks for assisting John!
It would be great if those of you who live in apartments or small homes, would leave comments sharing your tips for bike cleaning without trashing your abode for Nancy. Also, it would be interesting to hear how your home bike workshop is set up so that even in a small space you can maintain your bike. For example, where do you keep your tools for easy access; what do you use for a workbench; how do you hold your bike; and where do you store everything when it’s not in use? Thanks!
Jim Langley is RBR’s Technical Editor. A pro mechanic & cycling writer for more than 40 years, he’s the author of Your Home Bicycle Workshop in the RBR eBookstore. Tune in to Jim’s popular YouTube channel for wheel building & bike repair how-to’s. Jim’s also known for his cycling streak that ended in February 2022 with a total of 10,269 consecutive daily rides (28 years, 1 month and 11 days of never missing a ride). Click to read Jim’s full bio.
Armor All wipes. I do a quick wipe down after every ride. A cheap option and keeps my bike looking great.
Baby wipes. Been using them for years on both aluminum and carbon frames. They work great and the price can’t be beat.
I hate that you are recommending new and disposable wipes. Here’s a better idea: use old t-shirts, towels, socks or other cloth items that are going to be tossed and use those with armor all. They can be used many times before they need to be tossed. This is what I do in the winter when my outside hose is frozen. The comment of don’t let it get too dirty is right on the money.
Silca’s graphene spray frame protector as a preventative for wiping the frame may help.
I do a coat after a proper thorough cleaning, it seems to make the water bead up and also the grime may come off easier without harming the finish. It’s expensive , so I only use it on my best bike. Might be over the top for a commuter application.
Does the OP’s apartment have a tub or shower? They’re fine for removing dirt, mud, sweat and such, since all you need is soap and water, and you can rinse the crud down the drain.
For the drivetrain. run the chain through a rag moistened with odorless mineral spirits (a.k.a., “OMS” or “paint thinner”). That will remove excess lube and greasy buildup. You can use the edges of the same rag to clean between the cassette cogs and chainrings. Make sure to do the jockey wheels, too.
perfect !!!!
Forget wet or dry lubes. Convert to wax on your chain. Now you have eliminated a major source of dirt and grime on your bike.
Even though I have more space and work on/clean bikes in my garage, I use the following: a soft paper towel sprayed with Simple Green or Fabuloso or dampened with a dishwater soap solution to wipe down my bikes (frame/wheels/parts).
For me, it works as well as purchased wipes and does not damage the clear coat nor other surfaces
Most showers will accommodate a bike. It’s our goto option when traveling and staying at hotels. Rinsing the bike will get 90% of road grime off the bike. Haven’t tried it for off-roading.
If it’s just a normal ride and sweat is the main pollutant, for years after each ride I simply lean the bike against a wall or put it in the rack, wet a microfiber shop towel and wipe it down from tip to tail. I do the wheels once a week or so. This keeps the bike very clean and ready to go again. (I do the drivetrain separately, less often.)
I wash the towels after they start looking too dirty and reuse them, so there’s not any waste of disposable items.
I’ve been using Meguiar’s Hybrid ceramic wash wax. Easy to use and stuff doesn’t stick to the frame. Just keep it away from the brakes. I spray it on a soft rag to apply.
https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/products/meguiars-g251024-hybrid-ceramic-waterless-wash-wax
A couple of tips I’ve used or heard (I live in an apartment)
-Use soap lather, not soapy water, to clean your bike (and don’t spray the bike with a hose). the less water, the less mess.
-For chain cleaning and any bike work or cleaning, I took a big amazon cardboard delivery box that I cut open to make along base to go under the bike for when I do any cleaning, esp of the chain. I cover it with the weekly grocery store weekly sales junk mail which I toss out afterwards. The cardboard delivery box folds up accordion style and fits in a small space between uses. I’ve also used a long narrow piece of thin indoor/outdoor carpeting that can roll up between uses, but this wasn’t as good at keeping the grunge on one side only (bc rolling the carpet vs folding the box accordion style).
I keep diluted soap-water solution is a squirt bottle, and have used this outside to clean off the bike so I don’t make a mess indoors.
-Disciplined people wipe bike chain/bike after each use, which makes less of a mess than doing the cleaning once everything is very dirty.
-Spray wax (ie pledge) can be used to lightly coat a bike frame (spray a cloth then wipe the frame, don’t spray the frame) to make dirt easier to wipe off.
Like another commenter, I use Simple Green in various ways to clean my bike and other cycling items, i.e., two spray bottles, one with a light concentration and a second one with a higher concentration. I also use it in a bucket for outdoor cleaning where I have picked up more grime. I used to use regular Simple Green, but I switched to the non-corrosive, neutral pH formulation, Simple Green Pro HD Heavy Duty Cleaner Concentrate. You can find it on Amazon as low as $15 for a gallon. I often spray the mixture on heavy duty blue shop paper towels I buy at Walmart or Home Depot and wipe down the bike, shoes, accessories, wheels and tires. I use cloth materials on items, such as tires, that need more elbow grease, since cloth holds up better blue paper shop towels. I like old wash clothes. Even better are cloths cut from old bath towels since they have a deeper nap. I especially like them to clean my chain since the nap will get into the uneven spaces better than old tee shirts or similar materials. I can clean up a lightly soiled bike in a short period of time using the spray bottle method. If there is a loose coating of dry dirt on the frame, tires, and wheels after a ride, I brush them outside with a very soft bristle brush before I do a deeper clean.
A properly fitted set of full fenders with mudflaps will help minimize road dirt accumulation in the mixed conditions of city riding. An initial clean/wax/polish as mentioned elsewhere will also help as will using a waxed chain. Immediate towel drying after a ‘rain shower’ is also worth the time.
We clean or bikes after every ride with a damp rag. We wipe down frames, spokes, wheels and cranks. Cheap, reusable and it keeps our bikes looking great.
Wow, fantastic tips everyone. Thanks so much for taking the time to share them. They’re sure to help Nancy and everyone else living in tight quarters.
Jim
yes, thanks!
I use a public laundromat so I wouldn’t dare wash dirty rags there and fabric is banned from disposing in your trash here in Boston. I have used baby wipes in the past, but they’re almost too gentle for cleaning certain parts. I’m picking up some wipes that look very similar to the Silca wipes from Home Depot later today and also got some gear floss from Amazon. I really like the folded up cardboard box idea using sale flyers, to avoid using extra plastic. I’ll grab a spray bottle and already have Dawn. I’ll also look into chain wax, as I’ve never used it before. The recurring theme I keep hearing is “CLEAN MORE OFTEN!” and I have to admit I do put it off longer than I should.
thank you everyone!
Hi Jim, Ive been reading your gems of tech knowledge since the beginning of the newsletter, thankyou.
I’ve used a pump up 1 litre garden sprayer with dish wash or hand soap mix in the water as my “blaster”. Small enough to hide outside that no-one will pinch it.
I’m confident that Goo/Dirt doesn’t know brand names, if dish/hand soap washes too off your hands, it’ll wash it off your bike.
Has worked for years to keep the inside of the car goo free when out for a distant ride location. Spritz, gentle bounces to shake off the excess water, air dry while I changed.
Worked the same when I commuted to work, with h the work located bottle, I’d spritz as I arrived to work, air dry, same at home, with a better thorough wash on the weekend.
After a serious wash for a Polish day, I’d use a Bosch leaf blower as my lo tech compressed air / water drier, even a cheap battery one would work nowadays.
Pumped up sprayer washes off bulk of the goo, then damp old microfibre and thrift shop Terry bath towel for $1 each, cut to face washer squares or long spaghetti lengths for the chain line. Using the reinforced edges and ends is the pro tip.
All get a long life from this being and rewashing, so possibly the cheapest variant.
Car silicone / Turtle wax type Polish works on bikes as well as it does on cars. With the usual caveats to keep if off the brakes.
Cheers from Australia 🦘