Avoid using ordinary dish soap, as it typically contains salt, which can corrode parts of the bike. Run the chain through the rag 2-3 more times, placing pressure lightly with your fingers on the top, bottom, and both sides of the chain. Spin each wheel to rinse all the detergent out of the tread. Basic Bike-Cleaning Supplies. Aside from fouling your bike’s appearance, a dirty bike just performs worse than a clean bike does. ", 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. A carrier bag or rubbish bag tied around the seat are both cheap and good candidates for the job. Scrub both sides of the rim on each wheel, rinsing the steel wool or scrubbing pad occasionally and refreshing the citrus degreaser. Microfiber sponge gloves are great ways to clean a bike's painted parts and should be used with warm, soapy water from the bucket. It also performs better, saves you money, and makes you feel good every time you climb aboard. Check all the dirt has been lifted off and revisit with the brush if any remains, then rinse again. If you’re using a jet wash, stand well back or turn the intensity down. Pay attention to moving parts and use a smaller brush to get into narrower spaces. In this case, 89% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Spray detergent along the main tubes and the areas most affected by dirt. I also liked to watch the small video bits alongside and embedded in the article. Pay attention to manufacturer recommendations because it’s very easy to overdo it with lube. You really can't clean a bike too much. Mud can interfere with shifting and braking. Now it’s time to clean your chain. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Feel the chain with your fingers -- if it feels dry then you need to apply more lube. If it is not enough, you will require using some degreaser over the chain and allowing it to sink in for 4-5 minutes. % of people told us that this article helped them. 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. Lay out your brushes, sponges, and rags. Methodically scrub, in a circular motion, until you get it removed. With this clever gadget you can discover your weight and more – all at a glance! Clean it with a quick wipe because you can over clean. You can unsubscribe at any time. 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. Now get to the brakes, clean them with a disc brake cleaner. BikeRadar provides the world's best riding advice. Leaving… Cleaning the chain starts with a rag and a degreaser. 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. You may need someone to help you with this step. Yes; lube is not highly necessary unless your chain feels dry. To create this article, 34 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. It may drip and ruin your components. If you have a chain cleaning device, use it to clean the chain. >>> Best electric mountain bikes in 2019. Have various shapes and sizes to have hard to reach places for removing the grime which rinsing alone may not get. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The jockey wheels, the small cogs on the derailleur arm that need cleaning too. Learning how to clean a bike on your own is crucial especially when it comes to keeping your hobby for a lifetime. Could I use soap instead of a bike cleaner? For little dirt, it is sufficient to make the chain clean. Chip major mud clumps off of your bike before wash. Wax is not made for bikes, so avoid it! Learn how to clean a b… 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. Apply lube to the chain while turning the pedals. You can just use a hose on a low setting, warm water and a sponge. 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. It can also cause issues on rim brakes. Thanks! Approved. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. From there, you’ll be ready to get on your bike and start riding once again. How frequently should I do this to my 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. This article has been viewed 204,196 times. 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. 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. ", correct. Use a moisture dispersant lube on your derailleur pivots, taking extreme care to avoid your braking surfaces. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If you have a dirty one then it will be slow to shift and will wear down your expensive drivetrain. 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. Use a sponge or a rag to clean off the frame. Don't frequently clean your bike, if it's not super dirty. This works best if the bike isn't too dirty to begin with and can give you more time before major cleanings. How can I clean the disc brake on a bike? 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. If you’re cleaning a road bike, go easy on the water pressure. Brushes. Use dish detergent from the kitchen. Once you’re done with the frame, wipe down the rims of your wheels before allowing your bike to air dry. If you're going to be keeping it in storage for a while, though, it's not necessary to keep washing it. Work from the top down, cleaning the handlebars, headset, top tube, seat post, seatstays, front fork and brakes. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Your goal is a light coating of lube on the entire chain, not to drench it in lube. 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. Can I wash the bike without these things? 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. It may also intrude into areas where you do not want water intrusion like the hubs and pedal housing. 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. The backside (closest to the bike) of the chain rings. Here’s how to clean your road or mountain bike in seven simple steps. Use your hose, or bucket and sponge, to wet the bike and remove the majority of the mud and grime that has built up. Put the chain in the smallest gears then pedal backward moving it by a wet cloth. It may not be a matter of cleaning; the brakes may simply need to be tightened. If you have more than one chainring, shift your chain onto the largest one. Use car-wash-dry cloths (not paper towels due to the oil you are placing back on the bike.) WD-40 isn't a cleaner. The best times to wash your bike are when you come back from cycling on muddy trails or when you notice dirt starting to build up in places on your bike. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you have rim brakes, make sure you clean your brake pads and rims thoroughly. 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. 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. Never use a high-pressure hose or nozzle setting. Bike frame: Use a bucket of warm soapy water and a brush to gently scrub off dirt and grime. 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. I get both from the pharmacy. 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. ", "Great tips, proved helpful for me.Thanks author(s).". Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 204,196 times. Washing your bike is the first step before performing any motorcycle maintenance. How do I clean this area? 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. As you probably know, using water can cause rust on your metal parts, unless everything on your bike is aluminum or carbon for example. 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. Whenever you see dirt, grease, or grime in the joints, brakes, gears, or chain. If you can, you may also want to leave your bike sitting out in the sun expedite the drying process. Spray some degreaser into a clean paper towel and wipe around the rotors. For more tips on how to clean the frame and wheels of your bicycle, keep reading! Check you chain -- if it feels dry, take the time to do a full lubrication. Wipe off the bike frame with hot, soapy water. Once your bike is shiny and clean, use a clean rag to dry it off as thoroughly as possible. 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 dish detergent from the kitchen. Wash your bike after riding to remove grime and keep it running smoothly. … Use the bike degreaser to clean the drivetrain (chain, chainrings, cassette, derailleurs). Last Updated: September 5, 2020 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. Soap the bike. Learn More About Bike Chain Lube A frequently used bicycle acquires dirt, sand and mud easily. My daughter's child sized bike has front brakes that aren't gripping well (not due to dirt on the rim). If you have a workstand, now is a good time to move the bike into it. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Rather than wash, you can clean it quickly with a damp towel. How do I wash my bike without getting your seat wet? David Fiedler. How do you clean an e-bike? Riding a bike can often be dirty business. A clean bike chain will easily shift through the gears. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. You should wash your bike regularly if you use it frequently. Do not spray the bike with high pressured water, it will wash away grease and lubricants that your bike needs. Cleaning the frame is the first step in cleaning your bike. The following steps are most addressed lubing tasks and cleaning: Clean rags. However careful you are cleaning the chain, there’s always a chance muck can find its way onto your rotors. For more tips on how to clean the frame and wheels of your bicycle, keep reading! Particularly, what can be done (in the field) between races to keep the bike clean and ready to ride again? You can use the scrubbing pad or the rag; since the spokes are smooth, they should be … We use cookies to make wikiHow great. weekly/daily "soft" cleaning, or a deep cleaning/wash. An old rag is very useful for threading behind tight areas such as the crankset and front derailleur. Using clean water, use a clean sponge and brushes to wash the worst of the grime away from your bike. Fill two clean buckets with water and a generous squirt of dish soap. After a few cleans, you’ll develop your own routine – front to back or top to bottom. Cover the bike seat with a waterproof covering. Already have an account with us? If you cannot find time for it, there are stores which offer reasonable cleaning and repair packages. To create this article, 34 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Remember the undersides and awkward bits that also need attention. Don't use no soap to wash the bike clean, do that at home. 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. You will likely need to clean your drivetrain more often than the rest of the bike. Then, fill a bucket with warm water, remove the wheels, and use a soft sponge to clean the frame. 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. However, you can use WD-40 to lubricate the chain and the gears after you have cleaned the bike. "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. Use an old dishcloth or chamois leather if you have one to dry the bike. How To Clean a Bike. 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. How often you clean your drivetrain, and to what extent, will vary depending on your lube selection, riding conditions, and mileage. {"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":"