This works best if the bike isn't too dirty to begin with and can give you more time before major cleanings. By entering your details, you are agreeing to BikeRadar terms and conditions and privacy policy. You really can't clean a bike too much. Feel the chain with your fingers -- if it feels dry then you need to apply more lube. Then, fastidiously avoiding braking surfaces, give it a polish with PTFE or silicone spray. Work from the top down, cleaning the handlebars, headset, top tube, seat post, seatstays, front fork and brakes. However careful you are cleaning the chain, there’s always a chance muck can find its way onto your rotors. Use dish detergent from the kitchen. However, you can use WD-40 to lubricate the chain and the gears after you have cleaned the bike. Then, fill a bucket with warm water, remove the wheels, and use a soft sponge to clean the frame. How frequently should I do this to my bike? Only use bicycle lube on a bike, not automotive or WD-40. While it may be tempting to just pop it in the shed until your next ride, even a few minutes spent at regular intervals will improve your riding experience and the longevity of your bike. You can also remove the bike seat if you have the skills and tools to do so. Wet the car-wash clothe and place a micro-dot of dish detergent on the rag and start from there. You do this by slowly turning the pedals backward to move the chain a section at a time so you can clean it by either spraying on the solvent as you wipe down the chain with an old rag or by wiping down the chain with a rag that is saturated with the solvent. By using our site, you agree to our. Make sure to clean the bike more often in the winter when riding on road salt, which is bad for the drivetrain. Now get to the brakes, clean them with a disc brake cleaner. Riding a bike can often be dirty business. A clean bike chain will easily shift through the gears. Avoid using ordinary dish soap, as it typically contains salt, which can corrode parts of the bike. Particularly, what can be done (in the field) between races to keep the bike clean and ready to ride again? 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. Never use WD-40 on a bike chain -- it is not made for the weather or stress. If you cannot find time for it, there are stores which offer reasonable cleaning and repair packages. For little dirt, it is sufficient to make the chain clean. Washing your bike is the first step before performing any motorcycle maintenance. It should light coat your fingers if you touch the chain. Learn how to clean a b… WD-40 isn't a cleaner. Wiping down your bike with a damp cloth after a dirty or muddy ride now can save you a lot of time and hassle doing a "deep" clean. A clean bike is happy bike. Cleaning the chain starts with a rag and a degreaser. Approved. As the saying goes, a clean bike is a fast bike. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. By following the step-by-step guide below, your bike will be spotless and shiny in no time. Once your bike is shiny and clean, use a clean rag to dry it off as thoroughly as possible. If you have disc brakes, try to keep soap away from the rotors and brake pads. Be sure to get the paint good and wet before scrubbing, so the soapy water can act as a lubricant and not scratch the paint. I also liked to watch the small video bits alongside and embedded in the article. Spin each wheel to rinse all the detergent out of the tread. You can use a disc brake cleaner that you can buy from any bike shop. As important as it is to clean your bike after a filthy wet ride, it remains key after dry, dusty ones too. Check all the dirt has been lifted off and revisit with the brush if any remains, then rinse again. This can force water into your components, causing internal rusting or de-lubricating important junctions. Use dish detergent from the kitchen. Use your hose, or bucket and sponge, to wet the bike and remove the majority of the mud and grime that has built up. A bike works more smoothly, lasts longer and looks better when it’s clean. Clean bike chains ensure easy shifting into the gears. Use a moisture dispersant lube on your derailleur pivots, taking extreme care to avoid your braking surfaces. Soap the bike. Apply lube to the chain while turning the pedals. It also performs better, saves you money, and makes you feel good every time you climb aboard. 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. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. If the bike is not in a workstand, you’ll need to turn the pedals backwards. Repair or replace these when you have finished washing the bike. Use fresh water to rinse off the bike. To clean your bike’s frame, it’s as simple as spraying the foaming bike cleaner all over, leaving it to dwell for a few minutes, and then rinsing it off with a hose or bucket of clean water and a sponge. 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. How often you clean your drivetrain, and to what extent, will vary depending on your lube selection, riding conditions, and mileage. Brushes. For most cleaning situations, you can put a degreaser onto a rag and hold the rag against the chain. Wipe off the bike frame with hot, soapy water. Here’s how to clean your road or mountain bike in seven simple steps. ", http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bike-chain.html, https://www.bikemaine.org/resources/bike-maintenance/, http://trekstorecincinnati.com/articles/how-to-clean-your-chain-and-drivetrain-pg603.htm, http://www.bicycling.com/maintenance/bike-washing/how-wash-your-bike, http://bicyclehabitat.com/how-to/how-to-wash-your-bike-pg363.htm, http://www.bicycling.com/maintenance/bicycle-maintenance/where-use-bike-lubricant, http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bike-maintenance.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Once you are happy the drivetrain is clean, the rest of the bike is relatively easy. The simplest method is to use a bucket of diluted cleaner or some spray-on bike wash and start at the handlebar, working your way back and down so that you are not dripping dirty water onto the areas you have just cleaned. The backside (closest to the bike) of the chain rings. Leaving… Either use a bike cleaning spray to cover your bike and then work away the dirt or use a sponge and some hot water to remove as much as you can. Bikes get dirty all year round, but at this time of year they can end up absolutely covered in muck after even the shortest of rides. After a few cleans, you’ll develop your own routine – front to back or top to bottom. "Did this the wrong way round - tried to do this myself, then reading wikiHow made me realize how many rookie errors, "This is an article that every biker should read. References Regardless of what shape your bars are or how many suspension parts your bike has, any build-up of dirt will wear through moving parts if left to do so. Regular washings will keep your bike free from costly repairs or damage due to rust or corrosion, and it only takes 10-15 minutes to do it properly. Last Updated: September 5, 2020 3. How To Clean a Bike. Thanks! This article has been viewed 204,196 times. … Cover the bike seat with a waterproof covering. The brushes combined with the detergent will loosen most of the remaining dirt from the bike. "Nice article with clear, easy to understand instructions for each step of the different cleaning tasks, be it a. Knock off any patches of grease or grime with your rag if they are still visible. Do not spray the bike with high pressured water, it will wash away grease and lubricants that your bike needs. Bike frame: Use a bucket of warm soapy water and a brush to gently scrub off dirt and grime. All to often people skip the all important apres bike clean… this can decrease the life span of your components quite significantly. Rather than wash, you can clean it quickly with a damp towel. (Probably also applicable to mountain biking.) If you have caliper breaks (two black pads which pinch the top of the wheel), use the rough side of the sponge to remove any crud build up on them. >>> Best electric mountain bikes in 2019. Microfiber sponge gloves are great ways to clean a bike's painted parts and should be used with warm, soapy water from the bucket. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Lay out your brushes, sponges, and rags. Have various shapes and sizes to have hard to reach places for removing the grime which rinsing alone may not get. 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. Mud can interfere with shifting and braking. Frequent cleaning and maintenance of your drive train can add years to your bike's working lifespan. Cleaning the chain on your bike is a key part of reducing wear, improving performance and showing love to your bike. You don’t want to force water into your headset, bottom bracket, or hub bearings. Could I use soap instead of a bike cleaner? How to quickly get a bike pretty clean without dis-assembly. Yes; lube is not highly necessary unless your chain feels dry. Clean each spoke and spoke nipple individually with citrus degreaser. How do I clean this area? Once you’re done, give everything another good rinse with fresh water. This is especially true after a rainfall, which frees up all the filth on the ground, waiting for you to churn it up so it can hitch a ride on your bike. That will make riding it more enjoyable and save you money long term. Use car-wash-dry cloths (not paper towels due to the oil you are placing back on the bike.) Remember the undersides and awkward bits that also need attention. We're here to help you get the most out of your time on the bike, whether you're a road rider, mountain biker, gravel rider, cycle commuter or anything in between. How do you clean an e-bike? If you want to clean your tires, or you see large chunks of mud in the treads, use a big, heavy bristled brush (like the one sold with a dust pan). Check you chain -- if it feels dry, take the time to do a full lubrication. Scrub both sides of the rim on each wheel, rinsing the steel wool or scrubbing pad occasionally and refreshing the citrus degreaser. It thoroughly teaches about 1 to 100% bike cleaning, and is very, "I didn't know that we should clean our bicycle but I learned from it. You may need someone to help you with this step. Then use a dry clean non-wet clothe to dry off the bike and buff it over and over to the point it appears shiny. Use car-wash-dry cloths (not paper towels due to the oil you are placing back on the bike.) If there is a particularly tricky bit of grime, apply a small drop of soap or degreaser onto the spot with some water and let it soak for several minutes. Having to clean your bike after an exhilarating ride may be kind of a buzzkill, but, as SingleTracks notes, it doesn’t need to take that long. Some people use a sponge to dislodge dirt and clean the frame, however, I find they tend to be ‘eaten’ by sharp parts on the bike and I prefer to use a large soft-bristled brush instead. Aside from fouling your bike’s appearance, a dirty bike just performs worse than a clean bike does. To create this article, 34 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Spray detergent along the main tubes and the areas most affected by dirt. Pay attention to manufacturer recommendations because it’s very easy to overdo it with lube. How can I do this in 10 minutes without any special cleaner? If you're cleaning your bike on a damp or cloudy day, take a little more time drying everything off. Now it’s time to clean your chain. Use your hose, or bucket and sponge, to wet the bike and remove the majority of the mud and grime It may also intrude into areas where you do not want water intrusion like the hubs and pedal housing. How do I wash my bike without getting your seat wet? Rub it in with a paper towel or soft cloth. 2. You should wash your bike regularly if you use it frequently. In this case, 89% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. An old rag is very useful for threading behind tight areas such as the crankset and front derailleur. If you have disc brakes (attached metal disc to the wheels), wipe down both sides with the soft side of the sponge. You can just use a hose on a low setting, warm water and a sponge. It explains how to clean it and why it needs to be cleaned. 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. If not, you’ll simply have to apply the degreaser and use a brush. It is a lubricant and will not clean your frame. Let it settle for 5 minutes and then clean it with a wet cloth or thick paper, but do it slowly to reach the sneaky places. % of people told us that this article helped them. My daughter's child sized bike has front brakes that aren't gripping well (not due to dirt on the rim). With your bike in position, apply solvent (something like WD-40 or isopropyl alcohol) to the chain. Start the cleaning by wetting the bike with light spray from a hose, or wet a sponge and wipe down the frame to get everything wet. If you have a dirty one then it will be slow to shift and will wear down your expensive drivetrain. BikeRadar provides the world's best riding advice. At the very least you should check, clean, and potentially lube the chain every 1-2 weeks. The following steps are most addressed lubing tasks and cleaning: Clean rags. To create this article, 34 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Step 1 - Clean the frame. Learning how to clean a bike on your own is crucial especially when it comes to keeping your hobby for a lifetime. David Fiedler. ", The article also explains the parts of the bike that a novice might not know. If you have more than one chainring, shift your chain onto the largest one. The jockey wheels, the small cogs on the derailleur arm that need cleaning too. Fill two clean buckets with water and a generous squirt of dish soap. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Spray some degreaser into a clean paper towel and wipe around the rotors. First, take your ride to a car wash and use the pressure hose to clean the rear cassette of all the accumulated grease, dirt, grime, and its chain. Clean it with a quick wipe because you can over clean. This article has been viewed 204,196 times. Don't use no soap to wash the bike clean, do that at home. It may drip and ruin your components. Don't use no soap to wash the bike clean, do that at home. 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. Blasting it with a pressure washer is not a good idea but e-bike cleaning advice is pretty thin on the ground. From there, you’ll be ready to get on your bike and start riding once again. If you can, you may also want to leave your bike sitting out in the sun expedite the drying process. Subscribe today and get the next 3 issues of your favourite cycling magazine for just £5! Also, what am I missing due to the quick ~ How to clean a bike after muddy/sandy cyclocross race (or mountain bike ride) Use your fingers or a small rag to coat the cables in a thin layer of lube. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. 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. Already have an account with us? "This article is a good introduction to cleaning a bike. Use a sponge or a rag to clean off the frame. Methodically scrub, in a circular motion, until you get it removed. Important areas to concentrate o… Not only will this make your bike shine, it’ll also reduce the amount of muck that will stick to it on the next outing. Use a screwdriver or pick to knock off built-up deposits from hard to reach areas. Start at the top of the bike frame and work your way down, so that you don’t drip muddy water and freshly cleaned parts of your bike. Don't frequently clean your bike, if it's not super dirty. If you’re cleaning a road bike, go easy on the water pressure. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Use the bike degreaser to clean the drivetrain (chain, chainrings, cassette, derailleurs). With this clever gadget you can discover your weight and more – all at a glance! Cleaning your bike properly will not only make it feel like a brand-new machine on the next ride, but will also prolong the lifespan of its components too – saving you money in the process. If you have rim brakes, make sure you clean your brake pads and rims thoroughly. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If you're going to be keeping it in storage for a while, though, it's not necessary to keep washing it. If you’re using a jet wash, stand well back or turn the intensity down. If you want to know everything there is to know about cleaning a bike chain (and likely more), check out our ultra in-depth standalone guide. If you have a chain cleaning device, use it to clean the chain. Wet the bike. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. First, take your ride to a car wash and use the pressure hose to clean the rear cassette of all the accumulated grease, dirt, grime, and its chain. check out our ultra in-depth standalone guide, Don’t make these common bike maintenance mistakes, Make sure your bike is safe to ride with the M check, Nukeproof unveils the Giga, its all-new ‘super enduro’ bike, WTB Verdict TCS Light High Grip + Slash guard 29 x 2.5in tyre, Oakley launches customisation programme with “40-million different combinations”, The best cheap road bikes 2021: 9 great choices for £650 or less, How to fix a puncture: step-by-step guide, Here’s why you shouldn’t buy the cheapest tools, 5 ways to make your old bike feel new again. Only use 100 percent cotton or microfiber sponges, as other materials can cause damage. Use an old dishcloth or chamois leather if you have one to dry the bike. You’ll need the brush for the cassette and derailleur(s) in any case. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Wash-Your-Bike-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Wash-Your-Bike-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Wash-Your-Bike-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid168631-v4-728px-Wash-Your-Bike-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"