DIY FTW
Build a Bike Wash Station for around $50
If you live somewhere that gets actual weather, the idea of washing your mountain bike may come with baggage. If you live in an apartment or other space without dedicated bike storage, it may be a chore that is difficult to perform logistically, and one that must be done perfectly if you'd like to keep living there. If like me, you live in a rain forest, bike washing might be something you need to do after virtually every ride most of the year, which can either become drudgery or simply part of the routine.
Which category it slots into depends on what my post-ride schedule is like, and when I've got time I don't mind the task, but I know that anything to make bike washing more efficient and less frustrating changes my world. With that in mind, I set about the task of thinking about building a bike wash station in my yard. Not starting the project, or doing anything to get it started, just mulling it over in my mind and continually moving it higher on my to-do list without having it ever reach the top. And then I was inspired by junk left beside a dumpster
Before starting a project like this, one I've never attempted before, I spend far too much time fussing over how it might go together, long before doing any research. I had all sorts of scenarios in my head involving concrete forms and an elaborate wooden platform, and a lot of uncertainty about a few issues that were easily solved with the help of Youtube and Google. Next time I will research first and perseverate less.
While enjoying some post ride beverages in our usual parking lot location, which happens to be right next to some dumpsters and recycling bins, I saw exactly what I was looking for; an oddly-sized wooden pallet in good condition. It was the ideal shape and size for a to support a bike before and after cleaning. This isn't essential, if you have some grass or gravel or pavement where you plan to put your wee bike salon, but my spot was dirt and cedar and needles (from a fir tree – not a junkie) and my bike would get mucky all over again if it had to sit there. This was the inspiration I needed and I got straight to work the next day. And by next day, I mean about three and a half weeks later.
Tools and Supplies Needed
- Shovel (if you are going to sink the post)
- Saw (to cut supporting member)
- Power Drill (for pilot holes and to sink screws)
- 8' 4x4 post $20 (or 6' for free standing option)
- 8' 2x4 - $5 (for freestanding option this is essential but optional if you are digging a post hole)
- Pallet 48 x 40" free! (and optional depending on the ground near your station)
- 1 inch Pipe fittings $10 (floor flange, 1' steel pipe (threaded), end cap)
- Tape Measure
- Combination or rafter Square (or some other method to accurately mark and then make a 45º cut)
- 3" wood screws $2 - $6 (4 or 12 or 16 depending on which build format you choose)
- Gravel Free or $10 for 30kg (You'll need at least 6" of gravel in your hole to secure your post - according to the internet)
Before you begin, you need a spot to build your little spa. Ideally this locale will have a water source and a hose, or a portable bike washer. You can clean a mountain bike with a bucket and a sponge, but it's much more time-consuming. Hopefully you can find a little spot that drains relatively well so your significant other doesn't accuse you of creating a swamp where the hydrangeas used to be. Power and light are useful but a headlamp and a cold beer will get you most of the way there.
I did have some an idea about what I wanted before I broke ground. The bike had to be supported by the saddle for ease and efficiency, with both wheels off the ground,* which meant I'd need a tall post with some sort of appendage sticking out at a right angle to act as the hanger. What the hell was I going to make that out of? Wood didn't seem like a good idea but I didn't have any inkling about what I could use that would support the occasional 50+ lb eMTB. The post itself also had to be very sturdy and I assumed this would involved pouring concrete into a hole.
*this is an essential element so you can clean each wheel entirely without lifting up the bike several times
The internet steered me away from the concrete notion and suggested gravel was the way forward. I secured some crushed limestone from a friend (scavenger points) and then started digging. The recommendation was to excavate to a depth of around 1/3 of the total length of the post you are trying to secure, or in this case 1/3 of the length to the hanger. I discovered during my digging that the previous owner had used this small dirt plot to bury old concrete chunks from a demo project. That makes for tough digging but eventually I got down about 22" which would have to do. I purchased a treated 8' 4 x 4 post for 20 CAD and I had a smaller post left over from a previous project that would come in handy later.
Around the time I finished digging my hole, Noah began assembling animals in pairs. My hole filled up with water as did my buckets of gravel but I dove in during a brief reprieve. Another friend lent me a tamping iron and I added gravel in layers, straightening the post each time and then compressing the gravel with the heavy iron. The post was still a little wiggly by the time I was done tamping but I hoped this was because of the soggy ground and pushed ahead. After a few days with some sun and very little rain, it was starting to feel relatively robust, but it wasn't yet where I wanted it to be.
My post found its home part way into a cedar hedge, but my plan was to lift the pallet over the top of the pole and then slide it into place so I wouldn't have to cut it or disassemble it and compromise structural integrity. I had little optimism; I assumed it would hang up on the tree and get stuck part way down the post with no hope of ever moving up or down again. Thankfully it slid down smoothly and then fit perfectly into the little concrete frame made by the edge of the walkway. I needed to prop it up again while I dug a little deeper and levelled the ground for my high class pallet platform, but once I was done it nestled in beautifully.
What the hell was going to support the bike though? Every option I thought of seemed like a piss poor solution. And then research came to the rescue. I watched a video on Berm Peak, the new home of Seth's Bike Hacks, and he used some pipe fittings to make a hanger.* Specifically, I needed a floor flange, a short length of 1" steel pipe, and an end cap. This stuff cost about $8 together. All I needed to do was attach the flange to the post with some 3" wood screws and then screw the pipe into the flange and the cap onto the end of the pipe. This took about ten minutes.
*I don't mind stealing this from him because I at least gave him credit, and he surely stole the idea as well!
Once all this was done, I still wasn't sure how secure the post would be, so I used the extra 4x4 I had lying around and put up a 45º brace for stability. This took some tricky cutting using a chop saw, but it worked out fine in the end, with the concrete that framed the walkway acting as a support once it was was all screwed together with more 3" wood screws.
This addition made me realize that you could build one of these as a free standing system using the pallet as a base if you aren't able to dig a hole to support your post. A wider pallet than my 32" x 58" is likely required, but most pallets are 48"x40" and that should provide ample stability. All you need to do is fasten the post near one edge fo the pallet, like mine, and cut a 45º support of either paired 2x4s or 2x6s or a 4x4 like I used, and you'd be in business. Let me know how it goes.
To finish it off, all I needed to do was wrap an old tube around the pipe to prevent scratching and to provide more friction for a stable hang. Easy peasy. Since I finished the project, washing my bike has indeed become less a chore and more part of the routine. When I'm not too cold or too hungry, or if I have a beer in hand, I actually enjoy it. I don't often do the full EWS spit and polish that Jeff Bryson taught me; I generally just spray off the dirt using the jet setting* and then clean and lube the chain.
*which you shouldn't do - or at least you should avoid the bearings and shock seals if you aren't using a gentle spray
If you have the space and a reason to clean bikes regularly, I highly recommend taking this on. Since I didn't saw off a toe or burn down the house while completing this task, it will likely be easy for you.
Height - 6'/183cm (mostly legs)
Weight - 165lbs/75kg
Inseam - 33"/84cm
Ape Index - 0.986
Age - 58
Trail I've been stoked on lately - Sam's Dad's Trail
Bar Width - 760mm
Preferred Reach - 485-500mm
Comments
Deniz Merdano
3 years, 9 months ago
I have all the space for this and still just lean the rear wheel against the garden furniture (water resistant) for a wash. It does make it easy to walk around the bike that way but it's time I built a clean bike celebration station..
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Tim Coleman
3 years, 9 months ago
I'm in the same boat! Thanks for the inspiration Cam.
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Hollytron
3 years, 9 months ago
In my area you can get crushed concrete for $25 for a cubic yard. Its super cheap and sets up a bit after it gets rained on. Im never mixing concrete again.
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Cam McRae
3 years, 9 months ago
I was pretty happy to avoid the mess of mixing and pouring concrete. If I ever need to pull it out of the ground, it should be a lot easier this way. My only concern is that the post will rot prematurely because the ground will often be wet from the hose, and I imagine concrete would offer some protection.
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Squint
3 years, 9 months ago
When we got our fence posts replaced the contractor swore by gravel instead of concrete, said less rot with gravel as the water can drain through instead of sitting on top. Maybe he just didn't want to mix concrete but 10 years later they're all still solid.
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Pete Roggeman
3 years, 9 months ago
I just bought a yard of 3/4" crush myself a week ago and was shocked at how cheap it was ($29 all in, dumped straight in the back of my truck). And yeah, absolutely beats having to mix concrete.
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mrbrett
3 years, 9 months ago
This is clever - every time I visit a bike park I think about how convenient it is to have a bike wash right there at the end of the day.
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RNAYEL
3 years, 9 months ago
I just shake the bike off and put it away wet. Occasionally, if it was a really nasty ride, I'll wipe the chain with a rag, and lube the next time I pull the bike out for a ride.
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YDiv
3 years, 9 months ago
If it's already a rainy day, I find that the quickest way is to wash all the bikes on the rack. With the NSR, mine is angled out enough that I can use the hose wash the frame and spin up the wheels so the centripetal force takes care of excess water. Take off, bounce, wipe, and you're done.
Only downside is your car gets dirt all over the back but I don't mind, it's just a quick wash to clean off.
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IslandLife
3 years, 9 months ago
This is a great idea, nice work. Also highlights how great it is to have bike wash stations in the parking lots of the two places I ride most often. I'd build one of these, but it would get so little use I don't think the value is there for me... and, humble brag complete.
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Cam McRae
3 years, 9 months ago
That is a bonus. There is one near the Fromme parking lot but I rarely use that these days, and it would still be more hassle (in my case) than doing it at home.
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Dan
3 years, 9 months ago
Great reminder that I should construct something like this as well. I am having my hot water heater replaced soon - I will be sure to have the plumber not only install a new, more-conveniently located spigot, but also include a hot water tap at the same location. Hot water dissolves the muck even faster than cold water, according to science! :)
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Pete Roggeman
3 years, 9 months ago
For sure pipe hot water outside, and run a pipe high enough to create an outdoor shower. Stand under it in your muddy glory, and voilà, clean bike and riding gear.
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Dan
3 years, 9 months ago
Bingo! Even better.
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Deniz Merdano
3 years, 9 months ago
Outside warm water showers are the best thing in the world.
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Mike Wallace
3 years, 9 months ago
Dang it Deniz. I just pictured you outside having a shower...
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Deniz Merdano
3 years, 9 months ago
Keep that to yourself Mike... And cherish. :)
mrbrett
3 years, 9 months ago
An outdoor hot water supply would be heavenly.
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Cam McRae
3 years, 9 months ago
One of the best decisions I ever made was to have hot water piped out to my bike wash zone. It's a beautiful thing. Also great for washing the dog. Not so great when your buddies put it to scalding temperature to wash their own bike as your heating bill doubles...
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khai
3 years, 9 months ago
I've been telling my wife I want to build one of these for over a year now.
One of these days/weeks/months I'll actually do it...
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Skooks
3 years, 9 months ago
I fully expected this to turn into a wash/don't wash your bike debate. I guess I will start. I am firmly in the 'dont wash' camp. No matter how careful you are with the hose, you are going to end up forcing dirt and water into the rotating bits. Let er dry and wipe clean with a rag I say.
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rolly
3 years, 9 months ago
Just don't use a high power hose. Be gentle and get that crap off yer bike . . . and treat her like she deserves.
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Cam McRae
3 years, 9 months ago
I used to be in that camp, but I'm happier now that I wash after every mucky ride. It's also a great time to evaluate your bike's condition before something catches you out on the trail. Like my pedal that needs to be overhauled because I've been washing my bike so much! lol
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Timer
3 years, 9 months ago
I don’t think it makes much of a difference to the bike, but I like to keep it somewhat cleanish so it is easier to work on.
Oh, and when I ride to and from the trails on the road in winter, cleaning is mandatory to remove the salt.
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TomM
3 years, 9 months ago
I use DIY stand that cost about $20 and works great for washing or just parking the bike. Here's the video where I got the idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyWW_BL_OHk
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Cam McRae
3 years, 9 months ago
That looks great for parking, and at least your rear wheel is off the ground.
I definitely wanted both wheels off the ground as well as to access hard to reach areas, but if those aren't priorities that looks solid.
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