Thread: Any advice about cleaning bike shoes?

My shoes are quite dirty and I am thinking pratically about washing them off. Should I be worried about any soaps or detergents likely to crack the leather? I was thinking of just using some ivory soap and lightly soaping up the shoes and washing them off in the sink, then air dry? thoughts?

oh yeah,

dear diary

And yes, there is some pretty decent singletrack in Chicago that is finally rideable (damn wet spring). Here is some mini stoke from the ride today.

Roo says this guy can give you some tips on making your bike shoes purty:

http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/vi...=347865&page=1

go ride through some streams

what shoes?

I don't think I've ever cleaned a pair of bike shoes in my life.

I knock mine together once in while to get the dirt off of the cleats.

But in Peru, the maids clean/detail the shoes, gloves, camelback, etc, after EVERY ride!

Originally Posted by rideit

I knock mine together once in while to get the dirt off of the cleats.

But in Peru, the maids clean/detail the shoes, gloves, camelback, nutsack etc, after EVERY ride!

fixed it for ya

Originally Posted by kidwoo

I don't think I've ever cleaned a pair of bike shoes in my life.

Yeah, but I am vain. And I ahve also never paid more than 100 dollars for a pair of bike shoes. I want these to last more than one season.

Originally Posted by frozenwater

fixed it for ya

I don't know how to say 'tonguebath' in spanish.
I'll do some research next week.

I have a couple of pairs of Sidis that I will just blast with the hose, then drain the water out, take out the footbed and let dry. This has been working for quite a few years without any detremental effect, but they aren't real leather.

Originally Posted by rideit

I don't know how to say 'tonguebath' in spanish.
I'll do some research next week.

ask for the 'madre de rontele' and they'll know what you mean.

edit: forgot the winkie. have to have it because i'm classy like that... so here

bano de lengua?

Originally Posted by brettf

ask for the 'madre de rontele' and they'll know what you mean.

edit: forgot the winkie. have to have it because i'm classy like that... so here

Commendable effort, but since I am not classy, an alternative construction:

Originally Posted by brettf

ask for the 'madre de rontele' and they'll know what you mean.

Originally Posted by Rontele

Yeah, but I am vain. And I ahve also never paid more than 100 dollars for a pair of bike shoes. I want these to last more than one season.

Well, pick one or the other. Seriously - I just read somewhere that to make your bike shoes really last, do not wash them with anything. Just brush the dirt off and let them air dry when they get wet. Don't put them on heaters, don't leave them in direct sunlight, etc.

Originally Posted by altagirl

Well, pick one or the other. Seriously - I just read somewhere that to make your bike shoes really last, do not wash them with anything. Just brush the dirt off and let them air dry when they get wet. Don't put them on heaters, don't leave them in direct sunlight, etc.

I usually just do as rideit does and knock em together to get the dirt out.

Where did you ride?

Brush them off. Use Saddlesoap if you want to clean them. That stuff is great. I use it on golf shoes sometimes. After Saddlesoap, it would be good to put mink oil or some other preservative on them. I find using a clean, damp sponge is the best way to use saddlesoap.

You buy it at the same place you buy shoe polish (cobbler or good shoe store).

Originally Posted by steadieflow

Where did you ride?

Palos Heights. Outside of Chicago.

I'm betting money that they're not leather.

After you knock the big chunks off by knocking them together, blow the dust and remaining crud off with the compressed air from the compressor you're going to buy at Sears tonight. Then wipe them off with damp cloth.

Lather, rinse, repeat as necessary.

Blow off dirt/shit with an air compressor, or wash with a wet sponge. Take out footbeds, then stuff newspaper in the to help dry/maintain form. Dont use industrial cleaners from under the sink, etc

Try a pair of these nifty golashes over your bike shoes to keep them clean.