Got a dirty bike? Keeping your bike clean is one the paramount rules if you want to keep it functioning in tip-top shape. Sand, mud, road salt, and just about any other type of crud murders your drivetrain and hubs. Unfortunately, cleaning your bike often falls down on the “to do” list to somewhere in between cleaning the gutters and recaulking the bathtub. Guess what…it’s not that hard and doesn’t take long. Spending 15 minutes cleaning your bike will help keep it running like new. All you need is a sponge (or rag) and bucket of soapy water. However, there is one tool that will make it faster and more fun…the Nomad2Go pressure washer.
Many mechanics cringe at the idea of using a garden hose or pressure washer to clean a bike. They should. Water dispensed at high pressures can work its way into nooks and crevices, causong bearings and parts to corrode. So, why would I recommend washing a bike with a pressure washer like the Nomad2Go? First, it doesn’t put out much pressure. Second, you can use it at times when you really want to and need to clean your bike.
For example, how many times have you gotten done with a MTB ride only to have your bike caked in mud (even when the trails are “dry and rideable”). You have an immediate urge to clean your bike, since you’re feeling guilty having your beauty looking like that. The only problem is that you don’t have anything with which to clean it. Ha! If you had the Nomad2Go, you could be spraying that bike down and loading it back up in the car before your buddies are done riding. That’s right, the Nomad2Go is your own portable bike wash. Just plug it into you car’s cigarette lighter , connect the hose, turn it on, and start spraying. That’s it!
The Nomad2Go holds 5 gallons of water, which is enough to wash 2 to 3 bikes (depending on how dirty they are). The pressure it puts out is about the same as a garden hose on a low flow setting. It’s enough to spray off dirt and mud, but probably not enough to force water into areas where you don’t want it. Still, I’m extra careful not to point the stream directly at the hubs or bottom brackets. I also like to wash my bikes with soapy water when I get home. The Nomad2Go gets the majority of dirt off, but doesn’t clean as completely as a bucket and sponge.
So, how has the Nomad2Go held up and peformed over time. I’ve only been using it for about 6 months, but it has worked flawlessly the entire time. I bought mine last fall and got to use it several times while out mountain biking. I know a few guys who got one for cyclocross, but none of our races are really that muddy here in Chicago. The Nomad2Go website also highlights its use for ATV riders, boaters, and just about any other activity where you want to wash something off. I wouldn’t use it for a commercial cleaning business, but it’s ideal for the hobbyist/home user.
I have also found the Nomad2Go to be a big help in the winter when we have our water shut off outside. My bikes often get caked with road salt and I prefer to spray them down first before washing them in the basement with a sponge. I also found a power solution for this situation.
Don’t have access to a cigarette lighter plug? The Nomad2Go now has a more expensive battery-powered version. I also found that the Vector portable cooler power supply ($25 at Best Buy) puts out enough amps to power the Nomad2Go. This allows you to plug into just about any AC-powered wall jack.
Overall, I’m very happy with my purchase. The retail price for the Nomad2Go was $200, but I paid about $50 for mine (from eBay). I couldn’t justify $200 for a nice-to-have item, but at $50-$100 I think this is a great tool to have around.
If you don’t wash your bike on regular basis, start washing it now. All you need is a sponge and bucket of soapy water. The Nomad2Go is the prefect accessory to help you get the job done quicker and with a little more fun.
