CLEAN BIKE = GREAT RIDE
How to clean your bike is a very open ended questioned that many different people have many different answers to. There isn't necessarily a wrong or right way to clean your bike, but there are some things to take note of. Here, all of our products are bike safe and designed specifically to tackle any kind of dirt, mud, or dust your bike will encounter. We know from experience that a clean bike will ride better and prevent you from having to replace parts like chains more frequently overtime. Below is our guide on how to clean your bike and some featured products you might want to try out if you haven't already. Again, is this the ONLY way to do it? No. It's just what we here see as most practical.
Chapter 1: Clean
Simply put, a clean bike rides better and lasts longer. By cleaning your bike regularly, you'll reduce the likelihood of mechanical issues and needing to buy replacement parts - saving you money in the long run!
A clean bike is a fast bike! To get the most out of any bike, it needs to be clean. Keeping the muck and grime at bay will make your bike more efficient and therefore faster.
1. The first step is going to be to get some sort of degreaser onto your drive train. Having issues shifting, chain skipping, or you don't feel like you can really put the power down? More often than not, it's due to a dirty drive train. Sometimes your drivetrain can LOOK clean, but a good degreaser can penetrate areas you can easily miss. So simply take your degreaser and liberally spray it on your entire drivetrain.
2. You're going to want to agitate the degreaser all over your drivetrain. Make sure to use special brushes designed to get into all the tough to reach areas. You don't need a ton of elbow grease but a fair amount of brushing is enough.
DEGREASER EXAMPLE
3. Now it's a quick pre-rinse of the bike. Take a hose if possible (you can use a water bottle in a pinch) and just water down the bike. Try not to use any sort of high pressure and do your best not to directly spray in any area that can wash out any wanted grease, mainly your bearings.
4. After you rinse your bike, you can use any bike cleaner of your choice. Similar to the degreaser from step 1, you will liberally spray this all over your bike including your frame, handlebars, wheels, and drivetrain.
5. Use a frame brush plus any other soft brushes that can get into hard to reach areas to agitate the cleaner and make sure it gets off as much dirt or mud as possible.
6. Rinse off the cleaner keeping in mind not to spray directly into any delicate areas and then wipe down with a microfiber towel (regular shop towel works well too).
HOW TO USE CLEANER
CLEANING ITEMS YOU NEED AT HOME
Chapter 2: Protect
Applying protection regularly to your trusted steed will help to create a protective layer, keeping that dreaded rust and corrosion at bay. It'll also help to repel dirt and stop grime build up – meaning more riding and less cleaning!
Get that factory fresh look! Our Protection range will also help to remove imperfections and minor scratches on both your frame and componentry.
1. Before applying any kind of protection to your bike, make sure your rotors are covered. We offer the Muc-Off disc brake covers here at the shop and they work wonderfully.
2. There are many ways to protect your bike so we aren't going to cover every single one but more or less after washing your bike and putting on the disc brake covers, you will want to spray your bike with your chosen solvent and then wipe it away with a clean microfiber towel.
3. Our two personal favorites are the MO94 and the Bike Protect both by Muc-Off. But check out the little playlist we made featuring other protection products.
PRODUCTS TO PROTECT YOUR BIKE WITH
Chapter 3: Lube
Arguably the most neglected thing about bike care is the lube that you put on your chain. Your lube is what ultimately keeps your entire drivetrain running smooth while riding. We have tons of options for lubes here at the shop, but if you need a quick guide then click below.
Applying lube is pretty easy but simply follow these steps
1. Make sure your bike is completely dry before applying the lube for best results
2. Spin your pedals backwards while applying a small bit of lube to the inner links of your chain careful not to get it on the walls of your chain.
3. Once you feel like you applied at least one coat, simply wipe the walls of the chain to remove any excess and you're done!
Keep in mind to follow the instructions on the bottle for any lube you use since some might suggest waiting a certain period of time before riding or other special instructions.
AN EXAMPLE OF APPLYING LUBE
PRODUCTS TO PROTECT YOUR BIKE WITH
WANT THE ULTIMATE CLEAN FOR YOUR DRIVETRAIN?
THE DEEPEST CLEAN FOR THE GREATEST PERFORMANCE
Here at the shop we have adopted a device that can give your bike the best treatment it could ever ask for. The Muc-Off Chain Optimization service we offer here will clean your chain better than you ever could. We then give it a lube treatment that allows the lube to penetrate deep into the links and rollers of your chain to give you the smoothest and best shifting you have ever felt. The treatment helps keep your inner chain clean which means less wear and tear on the rest of your drivetrain, not so much money wasted on constantly lubing your chain, and you can ride harder for loner.
OTHER PRODUCST TO CONSIDER TO STEP UP YOUR AT HOME BIKE CARE GEAR
A DEEPER CLEAN
The Muc-Off X3 cleaner is a way to get your chain cleaner than you could with a normal drivetrain clean at home. The device has special rollers to help really your links and rollers get a proper deep clean. Very easy to use and we can help you with it. Check it out, it's definitely a hidden gem.
HOW TO USE THE TOOL
MAKE OWNING AN E-BIKE EASIER
For you E-bike owners, we encourage you to take a look at the E-Bike drivetrain tool. It's a great tiny gadget that will keep your cranks safe while trying to easily lube or clean your drivetrain and chain. Check on the video to see how it works!