Tips for Cleaning Your Bike from a Bike Repair Service in Boca Raton, FL

June 1, 2016 4:28 am Published by Leave your thoughts

As part of keeping up with good, basic bike maintenance, you should clean your bike on a regular basis. Not only will this make sure your bike stays looking great day in and day out, but it also makes sure all of its systems work well for long periods of use.

Here are some bike cleaning tips from a bike repair service in Boca Raton, FL:

  • Items you’ll need: Before you actually begin cleaning your bike, make sure you have everything you need to get the job done right. You’ll need a bucket, a few rags, a cleaner (there are dedicated bike washing soaps, but a diluted dish soap is also fine), clean water, a degreaser or some form of solvent and a brush with soft bristles. If you decide you are going to use a hose, make sure it is set to a spray rather than a jet, and never spray too much near bearing packs.
  • Clean the drivetrain: First things first—spray the chain with the degreaser and work it out with a rag. There is a variety of tools you can use that will make cleaning the chain even easier without even having to remove it from the bike, but a rag and solvent will certainly do the trick. Clean off the derailleur and pulleys with the rag.
  • Get your bike wet: Perform an initial rinse, just as you would when washing a car. You can either pat the bike down with a wet rag, or use a hose set to spray rather than jet. This will help to loosen up any dirt or grime that is caked on the bike before you go in for the deep clean.
  • Wash the frame and wheels: Next, pay specific attention to the frame of the bike and the wheels. Make sure you get all sides and ends. This is where you’ll want to use the diluted soap or bike cleaning product. A soft bristled brush will help you to remove more of the dirt than a rag, as it has a bit more grit to it. The brush can also be used to scrub down the braking surfaces of the rims.
  • Perform another rinse: Spray off the soapy water from the bike, again being careful not to use too much pressure in the process. You don’t want to damage any of the bike’s components with too much force.
  • Dry the bike: Hand-wipe all surfaces you can reach with a dry rag, and bounce the bike a couple times on its wheels on the ground to shake off more water. If you like, you can apply a polish to your bike at this point, and lubricate the chain and any other components if necessary.

Cleaning your bike is one of the simplest and best ways to make sure it lasts a long time without needing significant maintenance. For more tips, contact Bicycle Doctor, Inc. – House Calls, a bike repair service in Boca Raton, FL.

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