With the arrival of warmer weather and longer days, it's time to get your bike out of hibernation and ready for summer adventures. But before you hit the road or trails, it's essential to give your trusty steed some TLC. Whether your bike has been out and used through winter or sat safely in the dry, it will no doubt still need some pre-season preperation.
Cleaning and maintaining your bike not only prolongs its lifespan but also ensures a smoother and safer ride. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of cleaning your bike and introduce some fantastic products to help you get the job done efficiently.
- Gather Your Cleaning Arsenal: To begin, you'll need the right tools for the job. Investing in quality cleaning products can make a world of difference in the effectiveness and ease of the cleaning process. Consider the following essentials:
- Bike cleaning kit: If you're starting from scratch a cleaning kit is a great way to get everything you need to clean you bike in one handy package. A kit such as the Pedro's Mini Pit Kit Cleaning Kit contains everything you need to tackle, dirt, grime and grease on your bike.
- Environmentally friendly degreaser: Using a bike degreaser is not necessarily essential, something like Fairy Liquid will do the job but a bike specific degreaser such as Pedro's Green Fizz will undoubtedly do a better job. It's designed with your bike in mind so it goes tough on grease & grime but easy on areas where it needs to, like your paint, bearings and bushes.
- Bike cleaning brushes: In a similar way to degreaser, you don't need a specific bike brush to clean your bike - any household brush will work. However in order to get into those hard to reach places a set of bike specific brushes such as this 3 piece Zefal Bike Brush Set can be really handy. The brushes are also designed to go easy on your paintwork to avoid scratching the paint.
- Chain lubricant: Whilst washing your bike will clean off all of the unwanted grime and dirt, it can also clean off some of the good stuff too! So, in order to make sure your bike is ready to ride, you'll need to lubricate your chain again so that your drivetrain runs smoothly. For dry weather, a dry wax like the Weldtite Ultra Dry Chain Wax offers fantastic lubrication and very little resistance resulting in a fast, smooth and quiet drivetrain. Or if you're looking for something that's even smoother and lower maintenance Pedro's Ice Wax 2.0 could offer a great solution. It's wax based formula attracts less dirt and results in improved performance over other dry lubricants.
-
Start with a Pre-Ride Inspection: Before diving into the cleaning process, take a few moments to inspect your bike for any signs of damage or wear. Check the tires for wear and proper inflation, inspect the chain for rust or excessive wear, and ensure that all bolts and components are tightened securely.
-
Clean the Drivetrain: Begin by applying a degreaser such as Pedro's Green Fizz to the chain, cassette, and derailleur. Allow the degreaser to penetrate for a few minutes, then use the brushes from the Zefal Bike Care Brush Set to scrub away dirt and grime. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a clean rag.
-
Wash the Frame and Components: First, wash your bike with plain water all over to remove any loose dirt, gravel or other contaminants. This will ensure that you avoid scratching your bike with any sharp loose dirt. Next, dilute your bike wash with water according to the instructions and apply it to the frame, wheels, and other components using a sponge or brush. Use your brushes to reach tight spaces and crevices paying particular attention to those hard to reach spaces such as inside the rear chainstays and fork blades. Rinse thoroughly with water (warm is possible) to remove any soap residue.
-
Dry and Lubricate: After cleaning, dry your bike thoroughly with a clean towel to prevent water spots, this should also stop any corrosion. Once dry, apply lubricant to the chain, derailleurs, and other moving parts to ensure smooth operation. Be sure to wipe away any excess lubricant to prevent attracting dirt and debris.
-
Final Touches: Take a moment to check your bike over once clean, making sure that everything is back together and functioning properly. This is a great time to check the brake pads for wear and adjust if necessary. Finally, run your drivetrain and cycle your gears to ensure everything is in proper working order before your first ride of the season
With a little time and effort, you can have your bike looking and performing its best for the summer months ahead. By investing in quality cleaning products you can ensure that your bike stays in top condition for many rides to come. So grab your gear, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to enjoy a season of cycling adventures. Happy riding!