I have been riding a couple times since the snow flew here in Colorado, and my bike needs a wash. Being new to this whole thing, I am wondering, can I just take it to a car wash and use the power sprayer to clean off the wheels and lower parts of the bike?

I have laced wheels, and they are pretty grimy.

 

Bucket of soapy water and a garden hose for me.

 

This and a bottle of Windex and a soft rag.

 

Pressure washers get water into places like bearings and electronics. They also damage the paint and peel off labels/decals.
Just use a garden hose and a sudsy mit. A jack makes cleaning easy by allowing you to turn the wheels and clean the spokes.
Having laced wheels means extra work.

 

Wait till the bike cools down.Keep the power washer away from any seams, electrical connections, or places that have gaskets. I'd just use a garden hose with a nozzle and some elbow grease.

 

Obviously make sure that the temperature is above freezing. Use car soap. A leaf blower will dry the bike more thoroughly.

 

Okay, thanks for the tips. Garden hose and soapy water it is.

 

Simple Green on Stainless Steel Spokes wheels and Cast Wheels works good along with what other above say. Get the bike wet, soap it up, get the soap / grim off, get it dry. The quicker you can do this in order the better.

 

I have hot/cold running water in my garage, I use a boat brush and car wash soap. Have used pressure on windshield for bugs (the discovered Pledge) and on rims but messy overspray; no more. Also have a Blaster for drying; good tool

 

I use a nano-cleaner (Muc-Off brand). Squirt onto section of bike (tank, nacelle, one side of engine etc), agitate with paint brush, rinse off with garden hose.

Follow with Quick Detail spray if in a hurry, proper (separate) polish for chrome and paint if not. Maybe some vinyl cleaner on the seat if needed.

I also have laced wheels (and white wall tyres). After much trial and error, I find the technique is to use a proper wheel cleaner (I like AutoGlym stuff) and a smallish brush to work the cleaner around the spokes on the rim and (particularly) around the hub behind the brake discs. Leave for a minute and rinse off.

White Wall tyres get much the same treatment - same product and I used to use a nail brush to scrub the tyre walls with, but I've just discovered Flash erasers which work really well and need a bit less effort.

If you use a power washer, eventually you will get water somewhere it shouldn't be...