How To Clean Your Bike Like A Pro

Cleaning your bike chain, gears and other moving parts is an essential part of bike maintenance.

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Music - licensed by Cue Songs

[IGotsBadFeeling]

Oh man, I almost forgot to putt back my wheels before I went for a ride...

[richardjonathansmith]

This method of cleaning your bike may well be suitable for the professionals, but for the rest of us who pay for our bikes and would like them to last longer than a season, applying degreaser directly to chainrings and cassettes will ruin bottom brackets, hubs and freehub bodies. Using a pressure hose as depicted will force water through the bearing seals on the bottom bracket, hubs and headset. These are only designed to resist water ingress from low pressure sources (i.e. falling rain, or splashes from puddles).
The best way for the consumer to clean their bike is as dryly as possible! If water is really necessary, then it should be applied with a sponge. If degreaser is necessary (and every few weeks it will be assuming you're using a good quality, UK-weather friendly, relatively thick chain lubricant), then the components to be degreased should be removed from the bike prior to application to protect the bearings.
If you're not too concerned about the environment then baby wipes are great for quickly and neatly removing dirt and grime from your frame and wheels, without risking water ingress or bearing damage. Otherwise your favourite bike cleaning tools should be a dustpan and brush-style brush and a cotton rag.

[biking-n-rallies]

As a couple have mentioned a leaf blower works well to get off excess water after washing. I use this method on my motorcycles and bicycles.

[ThespankedoneRidesReviews]

Wait hold on a mo, you've missed one vital point. Lube your chain after cleaning it!

[Lorryslorryss]

Good advice. Some small changes. "Every ride" = "every few months". "with some degreaser" = "with a rag". "Take off the wheels" = "don't take of the wheels". "Dry the bike with a towel" = "spray with wd40, leave it for a bit, then oil the chain. meh, it will be fine"

[ptroyblue]

LOL ah yeah so basically what your saying is "wash my bike and dry it" ... wow so informative

[Rbr]

This was really helpful for me. Jst cleaned my bike today using some of the advice from this video

[citizen]

I live in a condo. Should I take the bike in the shower? Do you have advise for 90% of the riders out there?

[gcn]

Personally I avoid pressure washing my bike(s) too for the same reason, but it does depend if you're blasting a bike that hasn't been washed for ages! Pro teams clean them every day, so the pressure washer doesn't have to be too close to get the dirt loosened.

[OllyKilo]

If you don't have an air compressor to dry it, a leaf blower works well.

[gcn]

Yes, absolutely. Lube on a clean chain is when it's at its most effective.

[TheShark]

I use a pressure washer too. It's easier to get the drivetrain clean and all the little bits of stone and dirt out of your chain. Just avoid direct/close pressure near bearings and you'll be ok. Also if you don't have a compressor, a leaf blower works well.

[mikefagan]

I use a shower setting on my garden hose. It's a great compromise between a jet wash and the old bucket and sponge.

[foxdmulder]

Jee's this video has really enlightened me. I've learned so much. 

[GMMEZ]

Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me to put the wheels back on!

[customerjon]

Park makes a nifty little tool that checks you chain (Other have a tool too but come on Park is so much fancy.) Check your chain with your little tool and when out of spec replace. Replace the cassette and/or chain rings when poor shifting can't be fixed with a new chain and equipment adjustments. The cassette and chain ring can last quite a while with proper cleaning, lubing, adjusting and chain replacement.

[ArnoldQMudskipper]

Pro tip: don't forget to put the wheels back on...

[MetalSlab]

I just ride through the carwash.. works every time.

[butre.]

I was going to come in and say "I'd rather just hose it off" but it looks like you've got it covered.

[brendanever]

There are different types of pressure washers, the ones from places like halfords or sometimes Lidil are ideal for cleaning a bike but not the petrol engine powered ones that could cut a hole in a wall, they'll damage a bike. The spray heads for a garden hose also works great.