Cleaning Your Bike After a Cycling Trip

After a long day cycling, you probably want nothing more than to kick off your shoes and relax. However, it is essential that you look after your bike and take care to clean and store it as soon as possible. Not only will this prolong its life, but it will also ensure that it is ready to ride immediately when you are prepared for your next trip. There is actually nothing more disheartening than waking up to a sunny day, wanting to go for a ride, and then remembering that your bike is caked in mud!

Why Cleaning is Important

No doubt you know the benefits of keeping your home clean, and there are lots of little tips and tricks to help with this task. For example, if you were to purchase a range of Ikea sofa covers, then you would always have a clean one ready when your sofa needs it. You can probably picture the scene as you collapse exhausted on the couch after a bike ride and then realize your cycling shorts are covered in mud!

Cleaning your bike is equally important, as it will keep it running smoothly for years. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as choosing one of your Ikea sofa covers and throwing the dirty one in the washing machine! First of all, you need to rinse the frame of the bike using a sponge and clean water. Next, you will need to use a degreaser on the chain and derailleurs. You can use the same degreaser on the chainrings, and a brush is ideal for this. Finally, wash and wipe the brake pads using a dedicated cleaning product.

Keeping your bike clean will ensure that the various components don’t seize up or that you end up with squeaky brakes!