How to Clean a Bike

Are you wondering to yourself if it really take some kind

of skill to clean a bike? Cleaning your bike is a personal

preference and this short article will only reinforce why

you should clean your bike. . If you ride your bike for

sport, racing, hobby or leisure you place a value on

your bike no matter what you originally paid for it.

As I stated above only you can put a value on your bike and cleaning

your bike properly shows you value your bike a lot.  Depending on

where you ride your bike  dirt build up will be heavy or less, but the

longer you wait to clean any bike dirt will build up on it.  The

common elements which cause a bike and its parts to wear out easily

are dirt, sand and mud. You will have a hard time scraping them off

your equipment once you fail to clean them at earlier time. Clean your

bike regularly and your parts will most likely last longer.   Check on

the bottom bracket tube, spindle, rear freewheel, brakes, calipers and

pads for traces of excessive dirt.

Brake pads need to be cleaned right away and should

be replaced right away as soon as they get torn.

Regular bike cleaning cannot get it back to functioning

after the brakes are worn out or excessive dirt build

up . Brake pads rub against the wheel to cause the bike

to stop. When they are damaged just like the other

biking accessories, the rims get damaged as well and

the brakes malfunction. Thus, they must be replaced in

a regular basis to avoid further damage on the other

parts.

If you are in to traversing long distances, you must be

ready with the skills that prompt and intensive bike

washing will require from you. Right after a long

distance trip, prepare a washing mixture. This washing

mixture has to be a pail of warm water and a handful of

detergent powder. After stirring the two ingredients

well, you will be able to come up with a soapy solution.

Use a clean rag to apply this soapy solution on the front

and back, cables, wheel rims and brakes, chain and

sprockets. For scrubbing the chains, use brushes with

hard bristles.

It is easy to keep up with a clean bike and using the

right products is essential so that grime or any

chemicals will not destroy any part of your bike. Paying

a visit to a local bike store will introduce you to varied

scrubbing tools. If you are environmentalist, you will

definitely find delight in using green detergent for the

frequent rinsing of your bike. As you enjoy your

washing task, remember to get the water off your gear

shift levers, wheel bearings and crank bearings. Water

can cause these parts to wear out prematurely.

Check your tires after cleaning them and be prepared

to re-inflate them after scrubbing them clean. Use an

air pump with gauge to measure the air pressure

infused in each of the tires. Like the tires on your car,

bike tires need to be check periodically and also with

the change of weather and if the bike sits or is used a

lot. Feel them for any cuts which can cause your tires to

suddenly pop while you are driving.

Your chains need to have lube applied directly on to the

them. Move the pedals around with your hands as you

lube the chains. Once you feel the chains moving

smoothly, you may wipe off the excess lube with clean

rags. If you are a professional bike rider, use your bike

for business or pleasure it is important to keep each

part in working condition. Keeping your bike clean is a

great investment for a couple of reasons like longer

riding and if you decide to sell your bike you may be

able to get a good price for it. Happy trails.

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how to clean a bike, biking accessories, bicycles,

fitness, exercise