Can you clean your bike too regularly?

[Jack Heard]

Since its winter and the rides have been rather wet and muddy. I spend about 20mins a night cleaning down my bike with muc off and water. Is washing it this often going to do the opposite and cause damage?

[Luke Rainbird]

So long as you're not taking a pressure washer to it daily, you'll be fine. That said, most people won't spend nearly so much time doing so. I reckon I've properly washed trials bikes less than a dozen times in around 15 years or so, though a little bit here and there to clean off anything particularly nasty in amongst that lot too I suppose

[Jack Heard]

I think it's only a winter thing with the bike getting extremely dirty on every ride. I never use a power washer though  

[BJ.]

Only real issue you're going to get is bearing corrosion if you're not carrful around moving parts 

[niconj]

I only clean my bike with a Gardena Prima 5 and later oil the chain if necessary. The Gardena has just enough power to get the mud off and not enough to f**k your bearings. I wouldn't buy any MucOff or such products. If you really need to clean your bike, you can always use some detergent. 

Since in winter the streets are full of salt, I always spray my bike off with clean water. Takes 3 min.

Edited February 7, 2017 by niconj

[jamesb]

I just wipe it down with a rag, no water - unless the bearings are clearly coated in salt. Better to overhaul then. I knew a guy that cleaned his bike so much that parts were always squeeky and the brakes got contaminated with soap.