Is It Safe To Use A Pressure Washer On A Mountain Bike? | How To Clean Your Bike With A Power Washer
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ม.ค. 2021
- We've all heard it - "Using a jet wash will wreck your bearings!" But are they really as bad as the saying goes? Doddy shows you how, with a little care and attention, you can safely wash your mountain bike with pressurised water.
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Jet washes are available in a few different options, from compact battery powered units to mains powered lances. Bike specific options are also available.
Step 1 - Pre wash to remove or soften the worst of the mud.
Step 2 - Lather, apply you cleaning product and agitate with a soft brush.
Step 3 - Rinse, start at the top of the bike and work down, being careful around the linkage and other bearings.
Step 4 - Protect, dry, and lube.
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2:09 Doddy is just sat there playing with his Lego Audi Quattro
Do u mean Doddy?
😂😂😂
I think I prefer Soddy.
Yeah I edited it😂😂😂
Here's me carrying my bike up two flights of stairs to the shower every time.
I have to do that too, take the bike to the shower, I can't use a pressure washer or hose outside in sub zero temps, right now it's was about -15C. few days in the morning, -8 now.
Saaaaame!
@@aaronbrown3187 what is? going up stairs or washing a bike in -15C?
@@aaronbrown3187 no problem
I still have no idea how I am going to manage this. I'm living even a bit higher up and my bathroom is too small for the bike (including the door). Probably have to use the pressure washer at the gas stations.
Just a suggestion: I wouldn’t use the soft brush on the drive train! Use a drivetrain specific brush so you’re not possibly cross-contaminating greasey gunk with your soft brush.
As long as you dont use an insane pressure or spray it directly into the bearings you should be fine
@@RealMTBAddict why bother speaking lol?
@@RealMTBAddict actually he wasn't talking about water. He was talking about pressure! :P
I bought a air compressor a while ago after a fight with inflating a tubeless tyre. Whims I don’t use it that often for tires I now use it to blow water off the bike from all the nooks and crannies! It’s most satisfying.
I use a leaf blower
why do you need a compressor for tubeless? couple strikes on a pump and up they all go
Love that lego quattro🚙🖤
I’ve got one and ended up buying my brother one too!
Thank you, Doddy, for your clear instructions. I love a really clean bike, too. Your Canyon is gorgeous!
2:11 Those Lego Speed Champion cars do look great on desks! Their pretty realistic too! Never thought I would say Lego and Doddy in the same sentence, but here I am!
But is it safe to wash Doddy with jet wash?
Just be careful around his ball bearings
no issue and the hair stays there
@@EvtheNev are you irish?
@@christinefitzpatrick2484 Sure am!
@@EvtheNev I'm am too
Great video doddy ,a Andy stand or equivalent is a massive help when cleaning and always clean your shock and forks first whilst the brush is cleanest
Hi Doddy, I use a pet dryer after washing my bike, it directs a warm jet of air at quite a brisk pace. It displaces water from the bearings and seals, not aimed directly at these areas and then onto the protect stage. Also dries the chain and drivetrain beautifully.
Great demo Doddy. In fairness that fork seal was well blasted from an almost vertical angle so you really can’t be surprised some water got in. In a normal jet washing session, you wouldn’t concentrate the jet like that so thanks for doing the test that the rest of us are too scared to try😂.
Jet washers are great for MTB washing and water pressure varies a lot in different areas so it’s a brilliant investment for bikers.
Worth pointing out to people without the access to an outside tap that they can work well from a water butt or tank.
I like to wash my bike with a brush and cleaner, it's satisfying and it helps you inspect your bike
03:34 i love this little pressure washer on the left from kaercher when i am at my student dorm to clean my bike. without any accsess to water it is perfect because of the size and weight. the pressure is not too powerful but still enough to get it clean.
Thumbs up for the testing
Great video, you always hear people talk about the bearings, but I've been more curious about the suspension seals. Now you know.
Glad to help!
Nice one cheers for the tips I've always washed my bike with a jet wash or strong hose I've just always tried to be courteous and honestly never had a problem.
Wicked neat trick for cleaning the tyres!
You guys must love cleaning your bikes, I swear every 2nd week is a cleaning video. You do a great job though. :D
It's cause of the muc off partnership
Didn’t you know, it is that time of year when bikes get dirty and MUC-Off want to push their products!
And I’m sure Doddy got the New Muc-Off Jet Wash given to him to plug, Muc-Off have been giving some samples to GMBN and GCN, Doddy got lucky (jealous I am) 😉
They are brits, of course they love cleaning their bikes
Gotta get those bikes nice and clean for every video! Might as well get sponsored and paid for it. 👍
Awesome video, as always!!
Just got the Worx hydro shot and it’s perfect for a clean at the trails, not too powerful and saves time trying to clean the MTB with baked on mud at home.
Thanks for the video 😊
Small jet washers like that one from the robie that you were using are actually really good they're not very hard on the bike at all and they do work quite well on getting the crud off
Nice one Doddy! 👌👍
Good advice Doddy, and testing pressure washer on bearings and especially forks was useful.
Just bought a Worx Hydroshot and it's great, it allows me to clean the bike at the trail before putting it back in the car. Great that it's battery operated and water can be drawn from a jerry can.
I've had the Hydroshot for a couple of years.. Great piece of kit and more than powerful enough to clean a bike, but I've used it for all sorts of stuff when I couldn't be bothered to get my home jet-wash out.
One nice thing vs a regular jetwash is you can also use a bucket / jerry can with detergent rather than plain water in for an initial pre-wash, then use plain water to rinse.
Final tip is you can also get an adapter to run the Hydroshot from a 2L drinks bottle. Really neat self contained solution with no hose to drag around.
@@simonmac4291 Good idea, I'm not sure you could put something like Muc Off through that way though without possibly damaging internals, if anyone is thinking of getting one, get one that also includes the soap bottle dispenser as you can fill this with Muc Off for a snow foam effect.
@@simonmac4291 water bottle attachment is a good idea. You get about two bike washes out of a charge, possibly three.
@@the-cyber-monkey Don't know about MucOff, but I've run everything from Autoglym car shampoo (mixed as per normal in a bucket, not neat) to diluted bleach through mine and it seems fine. I always flush it through with plain water afterwards.
I don't think the soap bottle dispenser was available when I bought mine (2017) so I might pick one up!
Great tips on pressure washing Doddy
It boils down to people having common sense when washing their bikes really.
So useful
I use the worx hydroshot and am very pleased as I have no garden and cleans great
Why does one need a powered jet wash? A garden hose with the nozzle set to "jet" mode seems powerful enough to wash my bikes.
@Andrew Dodd my pressure only just runs the jet wash lol
I use my jet washer on a lower setting and also use it to snow foam as the prewash. Much much faster. I also use the the same method for my car, but the washer on a harder setting.
I use a pressure washer and a bucket and sponge
Because he one doesn't have access to hose.
I live in flat in city so only way to clean bike for me is in car wash.
my toilet bidet is strong enough to remove anyting
That Spectral looks nice
The washer from bosch is also pretty nice and has a tank... I´m just in the market for one but have not ultimately decided which device I´ll be going for yet.-
Ty for the upload guys / have a good weekend!
Got a Worx for Christmas, perfect !
Great video, we can learn a great deal form this!
Glad you liked the video Matt! Safe Riding 👍
- “Barely take cream off a cake” gotta love it!
We’re gonna need another towel...
My Favorite Way To Dry My Bike After Is With A Leaf Blower. Not A Gas Powered But Hand Held Electric. Works Amazing And Gets Water From Spots Towels Cannot Get Into. Even Allen Bolts!
i just got a pressure washer and am looking for any reason to use it! glad to know its okay to use on my bikes.
That canyon is beautiful
One thing is missing: dousing the whole bike in silicone spray!
Good video :)
Great instruction video. Feel like we need a titanium addendum... “Rub with gravel. Spray. Put away.”
Cheap Ikea dish brushes are great for reaching your hubs or cleaning your wheels.
So satisfying , I love washing my bike .
I would and do use a different brush for the drivetrain you're just getting lube/grease on the brush you wash your bike with
I use a auto foam cannon. I pretend I'm in a club, with techno blaring, and it's just me and my bike.
Rather than an airline or leaf blower for drying I have a 'pet dryer' (just search in ebay for that - it's a backward cylinder cleaner).
Like the lower power pressure washer sprays, it's enough to get the water off without risking damaging stuff and the hose+nozzle means you can really target the nooks and crannies, like inside the brake calipers and the cassette, which is hard with a leaf blower.
One big tip - wear ear defenders. The noise levels when up close on calipers and other complicated parts is very high.
After jet washing I like to wipe the bike dry with a microfiber cloth and some quick detailer (automotive cleaning product). Not fully drying the bike contributes to bearing life especially in UK winters so I will use compressed air into hard to reach areas or bring the bike into the house overnight. 👍
if you got one have you ever tried using a leaf blower for drying? :D
its a lot faster than using compressed air ^^
People get too precious about cleaning MTBS. Seems like its more important for some to have a pristine bike for their social media feed than actually ragging it about the countryside, scratching it up exploring new routes and getting filthy. Quick spray of lube and drivetrain spray down thats it. Maybe a full hose and soap once a month. Doing that for years and not wore out a bike or components yet because of dirt sitting around for a bit
Guess it's a cultural thing with a strong marketing aspect. Most Yt washing 'shows' are completly over the top. You don't need a fully equipped chemical lab to keep your bike and car clean and shiny.
@GMBNTech how do we get our hands on one of those black jackets...
I like waxing my frame too after cleaning with a Turtle Wax once a year then a Myers polymer spray every clean. I have a 17 year old reilgh the frame looks like new.
I use that yellow karcher for cleaning myself!! Obstaxle races or rides lack washing facilities usually 😂
What's your views on vinyl wrapping mtb with protective clear?
The pressure washer itself is fine, but it all about using the right tip and GPM (Gallons Per Minute) as a car detailer. We look more for flow in the water through the unit rather than peak PSI. 40 degree fan tip would be perfect for a bike like a car. For the leftover water, I would use a leaf blower or specific handheld blower to get in the tighter areas.
Any views on using a big boi blower to dry off. Something use on my emtb to get water out of motor area etc
I've got the Worx pressure washer, brill at home connected to the mains supply.
I also take a 20ltr drum of water on muddy group rides, easily does 4-5 bikes good enough to put in the car plus muddy mates and you're everyone's best mate at the end of a ride :D
Great tip!
Nice doddy good 👍❤️
As long as you are not keeping the pressure washer aimed directly to a bearing for 5 minutes, you're absolutely fine. I use Dawn dish soap diluted with water in a spray bottle and it foams extremely well. The dedicated bike wash soaps are overpriced and not necessary.
Does the bike specific Lance work with karcher? I have a k2 and use it without the attachment which gives little power to not damage anything. Works a treat
So the protectant. How long after you spray the drive train with that stuff do you apply the chain lube?
Dude ! You didn't use the ultra satisfying foam attachment on the Muck Off machine! I got the Muck Off clean machine last year, and I am always excited to foam up my bikes with it! Woo! 🤘
what are those "Ergon" saddles you guys have been getting on all your new bikes? Are they new and not released yet? I want one!
After watching this I guess its safe to say my garden hose with a basic spray nozzle isn't hurting anything. I always hose off my bike after riding to get all that dust and debris off, especially the top of my Pike fork where it collects around the stanchions. I was afraid to get water inside of that and the bottom bearing.
I always wondered why those bike specific jet washers come with a long lance instead of the "handgun style" attachement like on a garden hose . It's just _SO_ cumbersome to use around a bike due to its length. Anyone know?
I'm just guessing here but id say its similar to how the barrel on a rifle works. The longer the water has to travel along the lance, the more accurate and powerful it will be. However i do agree they are a pain to get into the tighter parts on the bike.
Yes pressure increases along a tube the longer a pressure is driving something to a terminal velocity
@@scythe863 That would be true if water was compressible
Reminds me of being a boy at home and watching my mum do the hoovering while i'm trying to hear the telly
I take off the rotors when I wash my bike, when lubricate it and when I servicing the hubs. Centerlock is a bless!!
Why would you take off the rotors?! Just get a mucoff rotor cover
Frankie Mazzei or just be careful
a plastic bag and a rubber band does the trick
@@frankiemazzei8882 because eliminates 100% the rotor contamination possibility and with centerlock is fairly easy, is easier than putting a cover over the rotor, within seconds the rotor is taked off and I can inspect the brake pads and rotors better. So why not?
@@elvisp8104 take off the rotors is easier and faster. Centerlock is a bless
After all this awesome pressure washing is ok to dry your bike with a it compressor??
My Karcher jetwash looks almost identical to that Muc-off one, except yellow. It comes with both a bike/car nozzle and a patio nozzle. I've had no issues with my bearings.
One thing I would say, with that pink Muc-off bike cleaner, avoid getting it on your brakes. It doesn't affect performance but it does make them squeal like mad until they are warmed up.
Love it... Clean bike is a fast bike I'd say!
i used a jet washer at the gas station 3 or 4 times after really heavy mud sessions. now after 2 years i took apart the whole bike and the main pivot is done, not moving at all by hand. also the hubs dont feel so good anymore. i kept the jet like 1 meter away at all times but i suppose it did some damage anyway. the headset bearings and the bottom bracket are fine though. for the next 2 years i'll try out what happens if i don't clean that much at all :D
even with a showerhead you can get water in the hub, make sure seal is not too old, and don't go crazy, I've tried, I got water in Hope Pro 4 hub, but this can happen without me abusing it in the shower, so servicing the hubs is important, I ad extra grease on seal slot thing on the freehub, it probably helps a little bit.
But I've experienced rides that were so wet that I got water in the hub mechanism, and had grease from BB coming out. even with expensive BB like Chris King,
and that's with new BB. water, mud, snow, it's quite harsh time for the bike, so I make sure to service BB, hub, headset, and pivots, usually rear pivot is most prone to wateringress.
but of course better the seals are less likely it is to happen, but it can happen to them all, also temps can shrink the seal slightly I guess, and get water in.
just one ride can get water ingress in BB, axle, but headset it's not likely it happens to as often, Bb is more exposed to the elements, but a headset on my bike needs fresh grease at least ones in a year I think.
I always use a pressue washer, and use the degreaser attachment. It have my bike washed in about 2 minutes. I think I spend more time setting up the washer unit than actually washing. Then I leave it on my wash station. My rule of thumb is, if I can put my hand in front of the pressure (say, 30-40cm from the nozzle) it is soft enough for the bike. My other point is, I'd rather spend less time washing my bike each ride or once week, and more time doing a proper service.
I have a missing link on my chain so I can detach it, stretch it out, and use the high pressure wand at a self-service car wash. There are no bearings to worry about so I really give it a blast. It gets everything, I mean everything. white glove spotless.
I need me one of those jetwashers💯
I use the muc off pressure washer. Get the job done alot quicker, and it's so convenient.
I would immediately change out the sram for shimano - but other than that what a gem
Hell yeah it is. I wash my eeb with a pressure washer and all it requires is regreasing a couple times a year
I woulde love a dropper post cleaning guide
tbh droppers are almost maintenance free
@@marcelziokowski4383 Not if you live in Belgium. There is so mutch mud here that after one ride my dropper won't go up anymore.
Why not try using a cover for it? You can get neoprene covers or make one from a innertube
I'd consider doing all this if I wasnt using my bike for a good while, but I use bike most days and would be pointless as it would get dirty next day.
If it's bad I get the hose and a soft sponge on it, occasionally lube the chain ..
"it's called a lance... Hellooooo".
Lmao favorite movie ever
I use my jet wash every time i clean my bikes both cube bikes
I just oil the running gear when i have finished but every few months i strip the covers of the bearing and regrease them
And i have done 6000 mile on my cube reaction i have only replaced chain and cassette and put a hope bottom bracket on 4000 or so miles ago
Its all down to good maintenance
Just off now do 30 miles through a couple of local wood and trails
How'd you get that stubby Worx? Mine is way too long.
The garden hose has more than enough pressure where I live, espacialy if you clean the bike after riding and everything is still wet.
Anyone know the PSI and bicycle nozzle setting used by muc-off?
I wonder, if you aimed a higher pressure, non bike specific jet-wash directly at the tyre bead for say 30sec, would water get into your tyres?
hello could you show me a bike wash with Worx?
Which model is your Ergon saddle?
Any thoughts on using an Auto shampoo that I have an atachement to use with the jet wash ?
That stuff can kill your forks very fast, if it gets inside.
#GMBNTech Muck-Off is truly amazing stuff. I ALWAYS start with the tires first. My 2017 5010 still looks mint thanks to #Muck-Off!
Buy yourself some Bilt Hamber Surfex HD. Way cheaper and better. Plus you can dilute to whatever strength you need. I've been using it in the car detailing business for years. It's PH neutral so will not strip any sealant or waxes either.
jet wash your calliper last from the top of pads and the discs
Just wondering if anyone could tell me if I should be using cleaning products. The way I see it is that they are just for looks and I ride in the mud everyday so it looking nice is pretty low down on my priorities but I would've to know what others think
I washed my bike with a pressure washer on the lightest mode and I somehow got water in the gear shifter and rear brake line. The water in the brake line stiffened the pressure of the brake and i experienced massive decrease in brake response. Took it to a workshop and was told the brake lines would need a full bleed. How can I avoid this? I see Doddy sprayed around the brake lines as much as I did.
Do you know what PSI is safe for bikes? My pressure washer only adjusts by PSI. I don't have a "bike" setting.
Finally a video that says: "Take a bit of care and use common sense and you'll be fine washing your bike with a pressure washer". Thank you!
One thing to add: When doing this outside, use bio-degradeable cleaning products...
what shoes you riding??
What’s people’s thoughts on using an airline to dry the bike off, always worked well for me (being careful not to force water into seals of course).
Airline? As in an airplane
I use a pet air blower. You have infinite settings for flow rate and heat. Much safer and quicker mate. Best 50 quid investment you'll ever make 👌
I use one to blast out crap from places with no bearings like in the chain guide or in between the frame , also in the cassette as it’s a single piece GX one. I always have the output pressure set to 40 psi though
@@jumbleross
Q
Is it okay to spray the brake rotors and brake pads with water?
What PSI model is that washer
Notice you use the same brush on the drivetrain and then on your frame? Is that safe? Also what do you use to clean your brushes with the oil or dirt that would be on them
yes it is safe, as long as you don't use that brush on the rotors
Thaaaaaaaaaaank youuuuuuuuuu 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
The high pressure setting of my garden hose cleans the bike completely fine, and does not operate even near 2000psi of some pressure washers
That looks like a "happy path" mud cleaning, but what if you ride through a thick clay, mixed with sand that doesn't come off during the prewash? You still going to brush vigorously with the risk of sand scratching your fork stanchions? Especially when material like this likes to get stuck between tyre knobs
As someone that's owned and washed bikes for 40 years, but never a modern mtb until now, I can't get over the paranoia over disk rotars and shock seals. These bikes are meant to be tough, but they seem to be very expensive and fickle.
I bought a cheap challenge small jet wash it’s the best thing I’ve bought for my bike