Water in the Bearings

Andy Huber has found that water gets into the bearings of his bike when he has cleaned it with a jet-wash. He wants to know if this would also happen when his bike is on the roof rack of his car, we explain:

Question: Hi
I learned the hard way (through personal experience), and then later read, that a direct blast of water from a water hose or a pressure washer can force water into hub or bottom bracket bearings, causing subsequent damage to them. So my question is this: if I am driving on the highway in the rain at 60 or so MPH with my bicycle on my roof rack, could I expect to experience the same problem?
Thank you for your answer.
-Andy

Hi Andy.

The jet-wash is great to clean a very muddy MTB and can be used on your road bike if you are very careful where you aim the washer’s jet. Don’t ever aim the jet directly at the face of the bearings, where the axle goes into the wheel hub, the bottom bracket and don’t forget the head set also, if you do this the pressure of the water will push into the bearings washing out the grease, as you have found.

If you are careful you can clean the bike very well with the jet-wash, but you do need to re-oil the chain and re-grease the hubs and bracket bearings more often. Another problem can be water getting into the wheel rim and sloshing around inside, normally there is a small hole in the rim to let water out, leave the hole or the valve hole nearest the floor and the water should come out.

Washing your bike by hand will always be the best way to clean the bike and while you are cleaning you may find anything wrong with the bike, like wear or cracks or damage. Using a degreaser (keeping it away from the bearings) and then soapy water with a sponge is always the best way for a clean bike.

To answer your question, Andy, yes water could get into the bearings of your bike when it is on your roof rack, but normally the water will not be forced directly into the bearings, but at an angle, so the water seals shouldn’t let too much water in. If you are worried then either put the bike in the car or get a rear carrier that sits behind the car giving the bike a little more protection.