silveraeroguy is right on, here. No high pressure hoses at any bearings (headset, bottom bracket, hubs) or the cables, or you'll drive water in, which is a big no-no.
What I've done when I can't get my bike inside is use warmed up windshield washer fluid as the "water" for washing. That way, it won't freeze in the cable housings and other areas where it *will* collect (which is why the suggestion to bring it somewhere warm to dry out). $3 for a gallon at the CVS/supermarket and that should be enough to clean your bike. If the bike is really grotty, you *can* wash it with hot water, but then make sure to do the final rinse with washer fluid.
It might be worth just replacing the chain. They come pre-lubricated and are cheap. Much easier than trying to clean one in this weather. Or, you could take yours off and clean it inside. Once done, dry lubricants are also the way to go. TriFlow is a good option, as is Boeshield T-9.
Finally, a set of full fenders, with a nice mudflap that reaches down as low as possible helps a *huge* amount when the weather is crappy. Grit and grime that doesn't get all over your bike in the first place is grit and dirt you don't need to clean off :-)
I really like the SKS Longboard fenders, with a homemade flap on the front like this: http://www.phred.org/~alex/bikes/fendermudflap.html
The SKS fenders are not cheap, but worth every penny, IMHO. If they're out of your budget, Planet Bike makes some decent ones as well.
The mudflap that reaches near the ground on the front is the big key to keeping a chain clean. Most of the grit on your chain is from crap flung up by the trailing edge of the front tire. Bonus: your feet stay much cleaner and drier, too!
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Date: 2015-02-07 02:39 am (UTC)What I've done when I can't get my bike inside is use warmed up windshield washer fluid as the "water" for washing. That way, it won't freeze in the cable housings and other areas where it *will* collect (which is why the suggestion to bring it somewhere warm to dry out). $3 for a gallon at the CVS/supermarket and that should be enough to clean your bike. If the bike is really grotty, you *can* wash it with hot water, but then make sure to do the final rinse with washer fluid.
It might be worth just replacing the chain. They come pre-lubricated and are cheap. Much easier than trying to clean one in this weather. Or, you could take yours off and clean it inside. Once done, dry lubricants are also the way to go. TriFlow is a good option, as is Boeshield T-9.
Finally, a set of full fenders, with a nice mudflap that reaches down as low as possible helps a *huge* amount when the weather is crappy. Grit and grime that doesn't get all over your bike in the first place is grit and dirt you don't need to clean off :-)
I really like the SKS Longboard fenders, with a homemade flap on the front like this: http://www.phred.org/~alex/bikes/fendermudflap.html
The SKS fenders are not cheap, but worth every penny, IMHO. If they're out of your budget, Planet Bike makes some decent ones as well.
The mudflap that reaches near the ground on the front is the big key to keeping a chain clean. Most of the grit on your chain is from crap flung up by the trailing edge of the front tire. Bonus: your feet stay much cleaner and drier, too!
Good luck.