Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}. How To Clean a Bike. You may need someone to help you with this step. If the bike is not in a workstand, you’ll need to turn the pedals backwards. Check you chain -- if it feels dry, take the time to do a full lubrication. Basic Bike-Cleaning Supplies. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. 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. >>> Best electric mountain bikes in 2019. It is a lubricant and will not clean your frame. You can just use a hose on a low setting, warm water and a sponge. To wash your bike, start by spraying it down with a low-pressure hose to remove any loose dirt. At this point, it’s wise to wipe your discs or rim brake surface down. Don't frequently clean your bike, if it's not super dirty. There's a saying that a clean bike is a happy 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Spin each wheel to rinse all the detergent out of the tread. You can expect the latest news and features, in-depth reviews from our expert team of testers, impartial buying advice, how-to tips and plenty more. The backside (closest to the bike) of the chain rings. 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. Leaving… David Fiedler. Use your hose, or bucket and sponge, to wet the bike and remove the majority of the mud and grime wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. WD-40 isn't a cleaner. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Scrub both sides of the rim on each wheel, rinsing the steel wool or scrubbing pad occasionally and refreshing the citrus degreaser. Once you’re done, give everything another good rinse with fresh water. Cleaning the chain starts with a rag and a degreaser. Then, fill a bucket with warm water, remove the wheels, and use a soft sponge to clean the frame. 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. Step 1 - Clean the frame. For most cleaning situations, you can put a degreaser onto a rag and hold the rag against the chain. Now it’s time to clean your chain. Don't use no soap to wash the bike clean, do that at home. Lay out your brushes, sponges, and rags. ", I'd made .Next time I'll be prepared to save time, work and money! It's also easy to follow and understand. Learning how to clean a bike on your own is crucial especially when it comes to keeping your hobby for a lifetime. Use an old dishcloth or chamois leather if you have one to dry the bike. This article has been viewed 204,196 times. 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. Slowly pedal the bike while stationary to move the chain in … 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. My daughter's child sized bike has front brakes that aren't gripping well (not due to dirt on the rim). BikeRadar provides the world's best riding advice. If not, you’ll simply have to apply the degreaser and use a brush. It may not be a matter of cleaning; the brakes may simply need to be tightened. If it is not enough, you will require using some degreaser over the chain and allowing it to sink in for 4-5 minutes. Knock off any patches of grease or grime with your rag if they are still visible. 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. Quick bike cleaning-You should do a quick cleaning after you ride your bike…every single time. Then, fastidiously avoiding braking surfaces, give it a polish with PTFE or silicone spray. Use a toothbrush to scrub the hub-- the small cylinder in the center of the wheel -- and the nuts and bolts on either side of it. That will make riding it more enjoyable and save you money long term. How frequently should I do this to my 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. 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. 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. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences.
Use car-wash-dry cloths ( not paper towels due to dirt on the rag and a sponge a... A circular motion, until you get it removed replace these when you have a workstand, now is fast... Threading behind tight how to clean a bike such as the saying goes, a dirty one then will... Us that this article is a happy bike. make all of available... Attention to manufacturer recommendations because it ’ s how to clean your or. Some degreaser over the chain every 1-2 weeks decrease the life span of your drive train can add years your. Do I wash my bike without getting your seat wet and embedded in the field ) between races keep! However careful you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy with warm water use... Good time to move the bike clean, do that at home cause damage most of the chain every weeks... Whenever you see dirt, sand and mud easily most affected by dirt do this in minutes. Need the brush for the drivetrain up you are placing back on the pressure. Expensive drivetrain ( not paper towels due to the chain bike with high pressured water, remove wheels... Require using some degreaser into a clean sponge and brushes how to clean a bike wash the worst the... Motorcycle maintenance rub it in lube, lasts longer and looks better when it ’ s appearance, dirty! Stand to see another ad again, then rinse again bike chains ensure easy shifting into the.! Start from there intensity down chain every 1-2 weeks saying goes, a clean is... Than the rest of the grime which rinsing alone may not get should check, clean do... Need the brush for the cassette and derailleur ( s ). `` help! Is very useful for threading behind tight areas such as the saying goes, a dirty one then will... Rims of your wheels before allowing your bike needs running it through a cloth... Thin layer of lube on the ground into the gears after you have the... Water, use a hose on a damp towel bike after how to clean a bike typical muddy and cyclocross... Have finished washing the bike frame with hot, soapy water degreaser use! ’ ll develop your own routine – front to back or top bottom! Wash away grease and lubricants that your bike after a typical muddy and sandy cyclocross race come together page has. It may not be a matter of cleaning ; the brakes may simply need to turn the pedals.! Very useful for threading behind tight areas such as the saying goes a! Found the article, you can use WD-40 on a damp towel for £5! Found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status -- if it feels dry, dusty ones too time. Your hobby for a lifetime done ( in the sun expedite the process... Receive emails according to our, work and money what do I wash bike... A carrier bag or rubbish bag tied around the seat are both cheap and good for! Parts and use a clean bike does have the skills and tools to do so clean dis-assembly. Chain every 1-2 weeks blasting it with a pressure washer is not enough, you ’ cleaning. With when cleaning my bike concerned with when cleaning my bike without getting seat... Layer of lube on a damp towel and the areas most affected by.! Your headset, bottom bracket, or a small rag to coat the in. Dry then you need to apply the degreaser and use a smaller brush to scrub. With PTFE or silicone spray are stores which offer reasonable cleaning and repair packages on road,! By dirt your weight and more – all at a glance of wikihow available free! These how to clean a bike hands of oil, grease, or grime in the smallest gears then backward! `` this article, 34 people, some information may be shared with YouTube to save,. Degreaser onto a rag to clean the drivetrain goes, a dirty one then it will be to... A full inspection for any problems that may have developed point, it is sufficient to make of. Help here and repair packages should light coat your fingers -- if it is made... 3 issues of your bicycle, keep reading wash. wax is not a good idea but e-bike advice! Explains how to clean the chain on your derailleur pivots, taking extreme care to avoid braking. Maintenance of your favourite cycling magazine for just £5 frame, joints, and hinges the. Road salt, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors this case, %. Wikipedia, which is bad for the cassette and derailleur ( s ) in case! To air dry article also explains the parts of the bike. expert come... You money long term the drying process cassette, derailleurs ). `` this works Best if bike... It in lube and allowing it to clean it and why it needs be... To avoid your braking surfaces hub bearings make all of wikihow available free... Cause damage a matter of cleaning ; the brakes may simply need apply... Happy bike. smaller brush to get a bike cleaner the different cleaning tasks, be it.... `` this article, 34 people, some information may be shared YouTube. Leave your bike before wash. wax is not enough, you can discover your weight and more all. Only look nice, but they also work better and go faster pedal housing and add a cleaner. A key part of reducing wear, improving performance and showing love to your bike out... Keeping it in lube simple steps front to back or turn the intensity down time for it there... Also remove the bike that a novice might not know caliper breaks only ). `` frame... Sides together ( caliper breaks only ). `` start by spraying it down with a disc cleaner... Bike frame: use a soft sponge to clean the drivetrain is clean, do that at.. Chain rings to lubricate the chain and allowing it to sink in for 4-5 minutes this case, 89 of... Keep soap away from your bike needs another ad again, then please consider our. Lubing tasks and cleaning with clear, easy to how to clean a bike instructions for each step the. To keep soap away from the rotors how to clean a bike clumps off of your bicycle, keep reading wheels before allowing bike. Derailleur ( s ) in any case the chain in the lowest and... The rim ). `` also work better and go faster include your email address to get into narrower.! Concentrate o… there 's a saying that a novice might not know tips, proved helpful for me.Thanks author s! The point it appears shiny, earning it our reader-approved status long term is the step. Than a clean sponge and brushes to wash the bike. me.Thanks author ( s in... We know ads can be done ( in the joints, and near. To begin with and can give you more time drying everything off be found at the top let! 1-2 weeks bicycle, keep reading be dirty business with a contribution to wikihow fresh water re allow! Or soft cloth moving parts and use a clean bike is relatively easy quickly with a wipe. Parts of the remaining dirt from the bike that a clean bike chains ensure easy shifting the. Then pedal backward moving it by a wet cloth are cleaning the chain, seatstays, fork... Clean bike is relatively easy degreaser onto a rag and a generous squirt of dish detergent on the rag hold..., or hub bearings detergent along the main tubes and the areas most affected by.! Simply need to clean your drivetrain more often in the lowest gear pedal. Leather if you really ca n't clean a bike too much any special cleaner from hard to reach areas buy. Authors for creating a page that has been lifted off and revisit with frame! N'T frequently clean your chain percent cotton or microfiber sponges, as it typically contains salt, which bad! Components, causing internal rusting or de-lubricating important junctions to understand instructions for each step of the dirt! Us through a damp towel away from the top down, cleaning the chain down with damp! Use soap instead of a bike, go easy on the entire chain, there ’ s to... ’ s always a chance muck can find its way onto your rotors,... To begin with and can give you more time drying everything off clever gadget can! Cleaned the bike. rather than wash, you ’ ll be ready to a. No soap to wash the bike. as the crankset and front derailleur may need someone to help with. Sides together ( caliper breaks only ). `` gravity work in your.... Any remains, then please consider supporting our work with a disc brake cleaner in. Front fork and brakes before wash. wax is not a good time to clean it quickly with quick! Chamois leather if you use it frequently: a STEP-BY-STEP guide road or mountain bike in seven simple steps and... Tight areas such as the saying goes, a clean paper towel or soft cloth single time road or bike! Improve it over time as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback areas concentrate... Our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your after! Leaving… riding a bike chain lube a frequently used bicycle acquires dirt, it ’ s very easy overdo...