Cleaning And Degreasing - Mountain Bike Zen
Keep It Clean!
Keeping your bike clean isn't just about keeping it looking good, it will also ensure that your bike keeps in tip top working condition, prolong the life of your moving parts and ensure you can lubricate the parts properly - lubing a dirty bike is not a good move. While cleaning you will also get to know your bike well and will be able to sport any potential issues with your frame or other parts that may be best spotted before and not during a ride!
There are plenty of cleaning products available to use, some really great biodegradable degreasers. It isn't necessary to use these but they are specially formulated to get rid of unwanted dirt and grease, will rinse off easily, and will not linger in the environment (you still need to be careful with skin, eyes, cats etc.).
A good way to start cleaning is to give the bike a gentle rinse with hot water, use a light hose, a spray tub, or a watering can. It is important to make sure you do not spray pressurised water into areas with bearings - such as your headset. Once you have loosened the dirt begin cleaning the frame, you can use a specialist frame brush, a toothbrush, or an old rag and some degreaser and give the whole bike a good clean. A brush is particulalry useful for getting the dirt and grit out of hard to reach areas, something which may not be possible with a cloth. If using a brush make sure it is for bike cleaning or has bristles soft enough not to cause damage to the paintwork and the frame. Clean all of the dirt and grit away from your brakes, pedals, and other bits of kit.
The chain will require extra work to clean, you can obtain a chainbath but most people will do just fine with a brush, a good degreaser, and some effort. Make sure you get in between all of the chain links and chain rings, this will ensure you prolong the life of your chain and chain ring teeth which will wear much more quickly if not kept clean.
Make sure you wear clothes you wont mind getting greasy and stained or wear overalls. It can be an idea to wear safety glasses too as brushing motion can spit grit and degreaser into your eyes.
Rinse the degreaser off all parts well and it is a good idea to dry the bike off too unless you are somewhere that is warm enough to evaporate any excess water away.