Care of my cycle

[nsi]

New to riding (like a week) currently riding a 2010 model Specailized Rockhopper Comp.
Went for a ride yesterday and it was wet. I was mostly road/cycle path with a little grass here and there. As a result the frame and forks and everything really were wet and bits of grass etc stuck to them.

I've not had a 'good' bike like this before, so I used to just fling the old thing in the shed and that's that. However I'd like to take a bit more care of this one, so what should I be doing after a ride in the wet?

I gave the frame and forks a wipe down with some paper towel, but that's it really. Should I be using one of those cleaning sprays? Re lubing the chain? etc? I'm particularly concerned because the front mech is basically directly in front of the rear wheel (as it's mounted to the rear of the seat post/tube) so it was soaked and had grass all over it. Don't want it rusting and failing!

Advice?
Cheers

[Animal101]

I wouldn't worry about it, its a mountain bike and its meant to get muddy and wet!

Every now and then when it gets a bit too dirty I'll wash mine down with muc-off cleaner and bike spray. The bike spray is meant to give it a bit of protection from the damp.

Then I'll degress and relube the chain and put blobs of chain lube on the moving parts of the derailleurs.

I don't do this that often though, depends how filthy the bike gets. If you decide to use some sort of bike cleaning spray just be carefull you don't get any on your brake discs or pads!!

[Gizmoish]

I wipe mine down with detergent wipes. Works a treat, and you don't haven worry about them taking grease off the cables etc.