Regular maintenance of your bicycle is essential to keep it running smoothly and extend its life. Dirt, dust and road debris can cause long-term damage to your bike's parts and affect its performance. Here we share our best tips for keeping your bike in top shape!
How often you should clean your bike will depend on how often you use it. For bikes that are used intensively, such as mountain bikes or racing bikes, it is recommended to clean the bike after each ride. But even for less athletic uses, such as a hybrid bike that rides short distances, regular maintenance is important to avoid excessive dirt build-up over a long period of time. If you use your bike every day, clean it every week. If you use it less often, we recommend cleaning it about once a month.
To clean your bike, you will need certain tools and products:
- A degreaser to remove dirt
- A cleaning brush to get to the hard to reach places
- A cleaning spray or concentrated cleaner
- A sponge
- A chain lubricant
Without being mandatory or fundamental, a repair stand can also be useful to hold the bike in place. In the same idea, if you want to make it easier for yourself there are models of chain cleaners to facilitate the cleaning of the transmission.
To clean the bike frame, you can use an easy-to-use spray cleaner. Be sure to protect the disc brake pads, as the cleaner can affect the braking quality. Apply the cleaner to the entire bike, including the tires, then use a brush or sponge to focus on hard-to-reach areas or stubborn stains. Then rinse with clean water and dry with a dry cloth.
To degrease the transmission, you can use a suitable product to remove accumulated grease and dirt in the transmission in a flash. Protect your rear disc brake with a rag and your floor with cardboard or a tarp. Spray or apply the degreaser to the bike chain, derailleurs, sprockets and chainrings. Let it work for a few moments, then remove the dirt with a brush adapted for the transmission.
To clean the transmission, rinse your transmission thoroughly with clean water. Use a special chain cleaner or bike cleaner to remove any residue. Then scrub with a brush to get into all the nooks and crannies of the system and rinse the transmission again. Dry all components with a clean, dry cloth.
The next step is to lubricate your bike's chain to protect it from rust and improve its performance. Place your bike on a support stand and place a few drops of oil on the inside of the chain while rotating it backwards. Make sure the product is evenly distributed along the length of the chain by using a marker. Shift gears to distribute the lubricant on the sprockets and chainrings, then remove excess grease by holding a rag around the chain while spinning it.
To clean your disc brakes, start by spraying the disc with a specially formulated disc cleaner. Scrub with a dry cloth or paper towel and rinse if necessary, although this is usually not required. It is important to note that discs and pads do not like grease, so degreasers should be avoided. If you want to maintain optimal and safe braking, it is essential to clean your disc brakes regularly. Also take the opportunity to check the condition of your pads and replace them if necessary.
It is important to be careful when washing your e-bike, because some precautions are necessary. First of all, you should not use a high-pressure water jet, like those found in car washes. Indeed, this could clog the bearings and mechanical parts of the bike, in addition to potentially damaging the seals of the motor or battery connections.
To clean an e-bike, you just have to follow a few simple steps. First of all, it is recommended to leave the battery on the bike to protect the connections. Then, apply the cleaner, scrub and rinse as you would for a regular bike. e-bikes often have a small drainage hole under the motor housing to drain water, it is important to ensure that it is not blocked. Once the cleaning is finished, it is advised to let the e-bike dry naturally or to wipe it with a compressor (without exaggeration), wheels on the ground and away from the sun in order to preserve the battery.
And now you're ready to give your beloved bike some love! Just one more quick wipe and your bike is back to its former glory. Well, almost... but it's just the same! Now, saddle up and enjoy your ride in complete safety and comfort ;)
To equip yourself, shop your cleaning products on our online store!
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