Riding a bike is very enjoyable and healthy. But in order for the bike to enjoy as long as possible, you need to know exactly how to care for it. Including such a moment as washing a bike.
Features
No matter how careful the cyclists are, no matter how hard they go around puddles and dirt, the bike will still be covered with various blockages. Water splashes onto it, dust adheres, sometimes stains appear. The problem is not only that it looks bad.
Dirt, dust penetrate the mechanisms, reduce their service life and can even lead to very unpleasant consequences, to accidents. Therefore, every cyclist should know how to wash his “steel / aluminum horse” so that it is clean and the washing does not become a pain.
Where to go?
And to wash a bicycle correctly means, first of all, to choose a place where it can be done normally. The most logical way for many people to wash their vehicles in the courtyard of the house. All that is needed is:
- water;
- soft tissue;
- cleaning composition.
You don’t even have to bring the bike home. Therefore, the dwelling will remain in perfect order, and it will not be necessary to clean up the dirt there already. Drying of the bike is possible (in good weather) in the same place where it was cleaned. But some cyclists prefer to use a garage for washing, or rather, a concrete platform at the entrance to it. At the same site, the bike is dried, and after drying it is stored inside the garage or sent on a new trip, depending on the circumstances.
When traveling in nature, cyclists often encounter severe clogging of their vehicles. Sometimes dirt completely blocks further movement.Therefore, you often need to wash your bike outdoors, without using any devices or ready-made platforms.
Important: washing is required if clods of dirt get between the wheel and the wing. Water for cleaning can be taken from any reservoir, unless it falls under environmental restrictions.
The hardest thing to wash bicycles at home. But the owners of city apartments have no special alternative - they have to clean their bikes in the bathroom. The procedure should be carried out with special care, and it will take longer than usual. And even for the most accurate people, after this there is a need to wash the floors. The question may sometimes arise: is it possible to wash a bicycle in a self-service car wash.
Such a procedure is necessary if you ride a bike for a long time on impassable roads in wet weather. Powerful high-pressure jets will remove almost all of the accumulated dirt.
Important: only bushings and transmission must not be subjected to such cleaning. Once there, water under high pressure simply violates these subtle mechanisms. Because you have to either work very carefully, or turn to professionals for help.
Other subtleties of washing bikes
The frequency of washing is determined by:
- weather conditions;
- type of surface;
- the frequency of off-road trips;
- riding style;
- cyclist activity.
Those who travel short distances periodically through city streets may limit themselves to cleaning the bike before and at the start of the season. But even a seemingly minor manipulation carried out in a city apartment, causes a lot of inconvenience. It is advisable to disassemble the bike into parts in order to wash each as thoroughly and fully as possible. Sequentially:
- remove all large pieces of dirt;
- remove the wheels;
- tires are removed;
- remove the chain;
- dismantle shifters, switches, brakes;
- prepare cleaning supplies.
You can simply wash the frames in the bathroom. They are doused with water from a shower spout or washed manually.
Hard dirt is wiped off with hard, and stains and drips with soft sponges. After removing the blockage, all problematic parts are rubbed with clean, dry cloth. Important: it is better to rub all the pipes dry several times.
When a bike is washed in the shower it is necessary to watch that moisture does not get into internal cavities. Tires are rubbed with hard sponges, giving a strong pressure of hot water. It should be remembered that this procedure will take a lot of time. It is not possible to quickly remove dirt, especially if the tread is deep. To wash rims and spokes it is necessary under a small pressure. It is strongly recommended that you wipe them with a wet sponge and dry rags.
The bushings and the parts adjacent to them are wiped off with slightly damp cloths. They categorically can not be washed under the tap from a tap or shower, even if the pressure is not too strong. If water does get inside, you will have to replace the grease.
Separate conversation deserves cleaning bike chains. It can be produced by various means:
- manually (by brush);
- special chain washers;
- grinding machines;
- in baths with kerosene.
Washing the chain must be given maximum time and effort. Dirt should be wiped with stiff brushes (suitable for shoes). Work must be strictly gloves. A thick, unnecessary rag is placed on the floor. Dirt must be cleaned longitudinally on both sides.
But an even better option is to use special chain washer. This tool will help eliminate literally fossilized particles. It is extremely useful for bicycles with a fixed chain. It is necessary to resort to the grinding machine only in case of urgent need. It can severely cut the chain and leave unpleasant looking marks on it.
This procedure is recommended if the chain has worked a lot and additional damage to it is not too scary. In addition, the grinder will not be able to clean the dirt between the rollers.Kerosene washing is good because you don’t have to make any effort. However, it will take 12 to 24 hours to wait for kerosene in the bath to wash away the dirt; then wipe the chain with dry clean rags.
The switches are cleaned with damp rags. Abrasive compounds can not be used. The same requirements apply to brake cleaning. After removing the pads, they are wiped, and with a slightly damp sponge, dirt adhering to the clamping mechanism is removed. Then they wipe the cables, lay out all the parts and allow them to dry completely.
3it is also advisable to clean the rides manually. Since they are covered not only with dirt, but also with oil, at this stage of cleaning it is advised to use dishwashing detergents or other mild cleaning agents. Be sure to use, of course, hot water. Again work first with hard, then soft sponges. Important: maximum attention will have to be paid to gaps between teeth and sprockets, and the system must be washed from top to bottom and nothing else.
Another option is Take advantage of the Karcher bike wash with foam. You will have to make sure that the hose is as far from the bike as possible. It is worth remembering that low-quality paint can be hit by a powerful jet from the frame. When the wash is finished, in any case, you will have to grease the bushings and the carriage from the outside. Only after that the bike is assembled back.
When washing by hand, car or bicycle shampoos can be used. Degreasers and chain lubricants are also advised. It is very good if the bike is upright or leaning against something when cleaning. Connoisseurs recommend pre-cleaning lighting fixtures and bike computers. It is also worth treating chains and stars with degreasers: this not only helps in cleaning, but also prevents clogging of the rims and brake discs with grease.
If you have to wash the bike without a degreaser, you must avoid strong pressure from the side of the cassette and the switch, as well as from the rims. Violation of this rule results in oil getting on the pads.
Theoretically, they can be cleaned, but it is very difficult, and normal braking cannot be returned. After removing dirt, the surface is covered with shampoos. After this, you will have to wait 1 to 3 minutes until the rest of the dirt slides.
See how to wash your bike properly in the next video.
