I try not to use water when cleaning my bike. I use a spray like WD-40 on my rims. The light lubricant eats the road grim and leaves the spokes and rim really clean looking, yet it helps protect them from rust and such. I just spray them down and wipe them off with a clean rage. Once in a great while I will polish them with Mothers chrome polish.

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)