How to Clean A Bike
Regular bike cleaning will save you time and money in the long run, as it will keep your bike running smoothly and reduce the risk of parts becoming worn down.
You should always use specific bike cleaning products, as some chemicals not designed for bikes can corrode parts. Use our checklist to ensure you have the right equipment, then head to our bike cleaning and bike lube departments to pick up anything you don't have:
BIKE CLEANING CHECKLIST
- Bucket of warm water
- Bike cleaner, bike lube, bike polish
- Degreaser
- Rag, sponge, chamois leather
- Set of bike cleaning brushes
Once you have your cleaning kit ready, follow our step-by-step guide below on how to clean a bike in the right way. One tip - using a bike workstand can help to make the job easier.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO CLEAN A BIKE
- Stand your bike upright and fill a bucket with warm water. Spray the bike cleaner onto the frame and use a sponge or soft brush to remove the worst of the dirt.
- Degrease your gear cassette, jockey wheels, chain rings and chain by dipping a chain brush in degreaser and scrubbing the components clean. Rinse components with water squeezed from the sponge, or using a low pressure hose.
- Spray wheels with bike cleaner then thoroughly brush the braking area of the rims. Use a smaller brush to clean hard-to-reach areas. Don't leave pieces of material behind, as these can cause trouble for gears and brakes.
- Rinse the bike using clean water from a low pressure hose, then wipe the rest of your bike thoroughly. Use a sponge or rag to remove any remaining dirt first if necessary.
- Dry your bike immediately with rags or the chamois leather to avoid smears appearing on the frame. Apply bike polish, which repels water and dust and helps to shine the frame.
Note: Do not use a high pressure hose or pressure washer to clean a bike, and avoid rinsing the gears and brakes too much as this could wash away grease that is needed to prevent wear.
LUBRICATING PARTS AFTER BIKE CLEANING
As well as learning how to clean a bike properly, it's important for you to know how to lubricate the moving parts of your bike after cleaning. You can follow these simple steps:
- Spray or drip bike lubricant onto the chain and all degreased areas. The easiest way to do this is to hold the bottle still and use the pedals to pass the chain through the lube.
- You also need to lubricate the following parts, if your bike has them:
- V and cantilever brake pivots
- Brake lever pivots
- Brake cables
- Front and rear gear mechanisms
- Gear cables
A good tip is to remove outer cables from their stops and spray lubricant down them if you've been out riding in muddy or wet conditions. Make sure you avoid getting lubricant on any braking surface, as this will affect your ability to brake.
LET HALFORDS HELP LOOK AFTER YOUR BIKE
Knowing how to clean a bike properly will go a long way towards making it last, but your bike will probably require some extra maintenance from time to time.
At Halfords we stock a massive range of bike tools and bike parts, so we have everything you could need to maintain your bike. We can also fit parts, service bikes, or carry out repairs at a low cost - just call into your local store for details.
You also may want to consider taking out one of our great value bike care plans, which cover labour and maintenance on bike repairs throughout the year.
