>>134810To clean my bike I let the mud dry then brush it off with picture related. I also have a hoof pick (for horses, from the horse store) with a little brush on it that's really good for getting mud out of my shoe tread and around the cleats, and out of the pedals if there's any there.
I should have explained better but the White Lightning is a wax based lubricant that doesn't trap dirt like oil does (as long as you let it dry before riding), and it really does clean the chain as you ride. It doesn't last very well in rain or really heavy mud but it's the best lube I've found for dry or moderately muddy dirt riding. It does leave a bit of waxy residue that eventually needs cleaning but nothing like the grinding paste that oil based lubes turn into.
When I do clean my chain I take it off (quick links make it easy) drop it in a jar of degreaser for a little while, shake it around, then fish it out and scrub if I have to. Then a hot water rinse so it drys fast, and re-lube.
>plan on replacing your chain once a year.It could be 6 months, could be a couple of years, depending on how much you ride and how dirty it gets (mileage isn't a reliable guide either). I'd say check it often and don't go by a schedule.
