The Sin of Dirty Bicycles

Although I am a confirmed roadie, I have a good friend, who is a mountain bike racer. She likes to be in the woods. I like spending time with her, so I decided to buy a low-end used mountain bike. The bike I bought has a solid frame and reasonable components, it was, however filthy. I don’t mean just a little dirty. I mean gritty, nasty, hair from the drain, filthy. I am pretty sure it had not been cleaned at all in its two year life, although the woman told me she lubed it regularly. My guess is that she kept dumping lube on it and never cleaned it. Here is a picture of the crank we took off before cleaning.

I can’t quite describe how gross it was to take apart the pulleys, cassette, chain, derailleurs, and crank. I couldn’t touch it with my bare hands. I don’t quite understand how she could have let the bicycle get that dirty.

Here is the clean crank:

During season, my partner and I wash our bicycles weekly. We always wipe them down, including the chain, after each ride, adding fresh lube only after the old stuff is cleaned off. Basic maintenance goes a long way toward making the bicycle ride well. When there is grit in the drive train it wears the components out and can feel rough. Not only does the bike last longer and ride smoother when clean, it is also a matter of pride.

I have pride in and respect for my bicycles. They are a reflection of me and what I value. I would not go to work with dirty hair, and I would not ride a filthy bicycle (especially in a group or with the club). When I am riding with my team, the state of my bike reflects not only me, but the team. I want people to know that I love my bikes and care for them well. Other riders have asked me if my bike is new, when really it has about 10,000 miles on it. I say no, it is just very clean.

When we brought the filthy mountain bike home, my friend say she heard it sigh a sigh of relief to be in my house because now it would be cleaned and cared for. I think I heard it too. Now that bike is being cleaned, and lubed, and re-cabled and will be ready to ride come spring.