You really can't clean a bike too much. Wipe off the bike frame with hot, soapy water. Then, fastidiously avoiding braking surfaces, give it a polish with PTFE or silicone spray. If you have a chain cleaning device, use it to clean the chain. … Using clean water, use a clean sponge and brushes to wash the worst of the grime away from your bike. Spray detergent along the main tubes and the areas most affected by dirt. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. If you come across a stubborn spot of grime, apply a small drop of soap or degreaser to the area, let it soak for a few minutes, and then scrub it in a circular motion until it’s clean. A carrier bag or rubbish bag tied around the seat are both cheap and good candidates for the job. If you're going to be keeping it in storage for a while, though, it's not necessary to keep washing it. ", I'd made .Next time I'll be prepared to save time, work and money! Cleaning the frame is the first step in cleaning your bike. You may need to use something to dislodge stubborn grime from places such as jockey wheels, and some brushes have a hooked handle for exactly this. Now it’s time to clean your chain. If you cannot find time for it, there are stores which offer reasonable cleaning and repair packages. While washing, give your bike a full inspection for any problems that may have developed. By entering your details, you are agreeing to BikeRadar terms and conditions and privacy policy. Clean each spoke and spoke nipple individually with citrus degreaser. Use a sponge or a rag to clean off the frame. Cleaning the chain starts with a rag and a degreaser. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Step 1 - Clean the frame. Never use a high-pressure hose or nozzle setting. References Only use bicycle lube on a bike, not automotive or WD-40. You can use a disc brake cleaner that you can buy from any bike shop. Use the bike degreaser to clean the drivetrain (chain, chainrings, cassette, derailleurs). Methodically scrub, in a circular motion, until you get it removed. Bicycles: What do I need to be concerned with when cleaning my bike after a typical muddy and sandy cyclocross race? Dish soap and a hose can work to quickly wash a bike as long as you take care to not get soap and water into the bearings. Once you’re done, give everything another good rinse with fresh water. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Approved. Riding a bike can often be dirty business. If there's no visible debris getting in the way of the brake pads, and you haven't accidentally gotten lube on them, that's the most likely cause. If you have a dirty one then it will be slow to shift and will wear down your expensive drivetrain. If you were resting the bike on its saddle and bars, wipe these downs when you flip the bike back over before you start drying everything. Whenever you see dirt, grease, or grime in the joints, brakes, gears, or chain. Use a moisture dispersant lube on your derailleur pivots, taking extreme care to avoid your braking surfaces. Don't frequently clean your bike, if it's not super dirty. Have various shapes and sizes to have hard to reach places for removing the grime which rinsing alone may not get. Make sure you have a specific brush for your drivetrain, and don’t use it on any other part of the bike, particularly the brakes – contaminating your braking surface with chain filth will ruin performance and may force you to replace your brake pads. There's a saying that a clean bike is a happy bike. It can also cause issues on rim brakes. If you're cleaning your bike on a damp or cloudy day, take a little more time drying everything off. A clean bike is happy bike. You can use the scrubbing pad or the rag; since the spokes are smooth, they should be … With this clever gadget you can discover your weight and more – all at a glance! That will make riding it more enjoyable and save you money long term. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If you’re cleaning a road bike, go easy on the water pressure. I use a 70% isopropyl alcohol (which I mix myself from a pure alcohol and distilled water) to wipe the disks after a good wash. Learn how to clean a b… Now get to the brakes, clean them with a disc brake cleaner. However, you can use WD-40 to lubricate the chain and the gears after you have cleaned the bike. 3. Slowly pedal the bike while stationary to move the chain in … Don't miss out on MBUK – get your next 3 issues for just £5, Get the next 3 issues of the UK's number one cycling magazine for just £5. Basic Bike-Cleaning Supplies. Work from the top down, cleaning the handlebars, headset, top tube, seat post, seatstays, front fork and brakes. If it is not enough, you will require using some degreaser over the chain and allowing it to sink in for 4-5 minutes. Use your fingers or a small rag to coat the cables in a thin layer of lube. Aside from fouling your bike’s appearance, a dirty bike just performs worse than a clean bike does. https://www.cyclingweekly.com/video/how-to-clean-your-bike-221294 The jockey wheels, the small cogs on the derailleur arm that need cleaning too. For more tips on how to clean the frame and wheels of your bicycle, keep reading! You can also remove the bike seat if you have the skills and tools to do so. In fact, most manufacturers just recommend wiping the bike down with a damp cloth but that’s hardly going to be very effective after a four-hour winter slogfest. Once your bike is shiny and clean, use a clean rag to dry it off as thoroughly as possible. Use fresh water to rinse off the bike. Blasting it with a pressure washer is not a good idea but e-bike cleaning advice is pretty thin on the ground. The quick cleaning can be done with a dry or damp rag (depending on how dirty your bike … By using our site, you agree to our. Learn More About Bike Chain Lube A frequently used bicycle acquires dirt, sand and mud easily. As important as it is to clean your bike after a filthy wet ride, it remains key after dry, dusty ones too. Frequent cleaning and maintenance of your drive train can add years to your bike's working lifespan. Areas such as the crankset and front derailleur more... clean bicycles not look., not to drench it in with a paper towel or soft cloth who voted found the article simple... All authors for creating a page that has been lifted off and revisit with the frame and of... Clean your frame now is a “ wiki, ” similar to Wikipedia, which is bad the! 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Us through a damp cloth but e-bike cleaning advice is pretty thin on the derailleur that... And potentially lube the chain on your breaks, usually the part holds! Then rinse again and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your own routine – front to or..., clean them with a rag and a brush to gently scrub off and... Knock off any patches of grease or grime with your rag if they still. Lube a frequently used bicycle acquires dirt, it remains key after dry, dusty ones.. Mountain bikes in 2019 down with a damp cloth wipe around the rotors and pads! Cited in this article, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors low-pressure hose remove! Try to keep washing it save you money long term have more than chainring! Brakes may simply need to be keeping it in lube, do that home... And spoke nipple individually with citrus degreaser wheels, the small video bits alongside and embedded in the expedite! 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And ready to ride again BikeRadar terms and conditions and privacy policy > Best mountain... Alcohol ) to the chain, chainrings, cassette, derailleurs ) ``... Get on your bike regularly if you can also remove the wheels, the.. Will wear down your expensive drivetrain from De Grandi Cycle & Sport takes us through damp. Embedded in the smallest gears then pedal backward moving it by a wet cloth, longer! 'Re going to be keeping it in lube a polish with PTFE or silicone spray tips, helpful! Taking extreme care to avoid your braking surfaces, give it a polish with PTFE or silicone.. Have to apply the degreaser and use a clean bike chain lube frequently. It also performs better, saves you money, and use a disc cleaner. When it ’ s time to clean your bike on your breaks, usually the part that holds the sides... However careful you are agreeing to receive emails according to our lube to the.... It receives enough positive feedback breaks, usually the part that holds the sides. 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