If you keep your bicycle clean, it will help to maintain it in good condition for longer. If you one of those who doesn’t use it habitually and leaves it in the garage to gather dust, or one of those who uses it constantly for going for a ride or doing mountain routes or going to work in the city, a good cleaning will keep the bike running smoothly and you won't need to replace some of its parts.
How to clean a mountain bike
Water yes, but the minimum and without pressure. Water helps clean the bike but be careful because it could damage some parts like chainrings, axles and even brakes.
So, before you start cleaning the bicycle, you will need to have the following at hand:
- Microfibre cloths or sponge
- Small brushes to access more difficult areas
- Clean cotton cloth
- Bucket with water and special soap for bicycles
- Bucket with clean water
- Special degreasing agent for bicycles
- Lubricating oil or wax
To start your cleaning, follow these steps:
The ideal thing to do before starting is to remove the wheels and leave the frame on a stable surface.
Start cleaning from top to bottom. Spray the frame, handlebars and saddle well with the water and special bicycle soap to soften and help remove the dirt.
Once it is all wet, add the degreaser to the chain drive: chain, chainrings, sprockets and leave it do its work. Make sure nothing falls on the brake pads, as they could get damaged, and you would have to change them.
Start by removing the dirt with a sponge from top to bottom and rinse off the soapy water mixture in a bucket of clean water.
Then, clean the chain. As you have already put the degreaser on it, take the opportunity to rub with a small brush all over the chain, cassette and chainrings: to do it right, place the brush in a fixed position and, with your other hand, turn the pedals so that the chain moves over the bristles of the brush and is well cleaned.
Before rinsing, clean the wheels.
Then assemble the wheels and then rinse your bicycle. You can rinse with a hose but without pressure, in order not to damage the bicycle.
When it is free of soap and residue, dry it will with the clean cloths to avoid damaging any parts.
