Washing your bike is not just an aesthetic issue, as many might think. Keeping it clean after each training session or competition is essential to prevent components from wearing out prematurely, which could force you to make costly repairs. In addition, a good cleaning directly influences your bike's performance, whether it's a mountain bike, a gravel bike, an electric bike or a road bike.

For example, after a challenging mountain ride with your MTB, the mud and dirt accumulated on the drivetrain can reduce performance by 1% to 3%, something that should not be taken lightly. The same happens if you ride on roads or trails with your gravel bike or your electric bike: a clean and well-maintained drivetrain not only extends the lifespan of the components, but also ensures better performance with every pedal stroke.

Regardless of the type of bike you use, regular cleaning is key to maintaining its efficiency and prolonging its useful life.

What you need for washing

The essentials for a thorough cleaning of our bike are water and degreasing soap, two cloths (one for removing grease and another clean one), specific lubricant for bikes, a brush, and a rod to pass between the cassette discs and the front chainrings. You will also need the essential tools to disassemble some parts, although the most common ones you might have in your toolbox will suffice. Water and soap can be replaced by some commercial product, although we should always use non-abrasive liquids to avoid damage, especially to the frame. If you have a large space at home, the budget, and don't mind spending a bit more, you can use other tools, such as a workshop stand to lift the bike or an LED flashlight to inspect every little detail you want to leave as new.

Start with the frame and continue with the wheels

Remove the two wheels and, little by little, the rest of the accessories you have added to it. Once done, spray the frame with the water and soap mixture or the diluted cleaning product you have. Do not use pressure jets or hoses; you would be surprised how easy it is to damage a part of the frame and, above all, to harm the bearings, derailleur, or suspension. Then, wipe the entire sprayed area with a cloth, preferably flannel if possible. You have the opportunity to get into some areas that are a bit hidden at first glance, such as the bottom bracket, fork, or brakes. After leaving the frame ready, it's time for the wheels.

Spray the rims, spokes, and hubs with the same product you used for the frame, and then use another cloth to remove the dirt. If you want, you can also clean the profiles. Before putting them back on the bike, make sure they are completely dry.

How to clean the drivetrain

Cleaning the cassette, derailleur, chainring, and cogs is cleaning the heart of our bicycle, so you need to be especially careful. Apply a soapy degreaser to all these parts and then scrub them with a brush. With a chain cleaner, the task will be faster and easier. It’s worth putting special emphasis on the jockey wheels, as they tend to accumulate a lot of dirt.

Don’t forget the chain

If cleaning the drivetrain is cleaning the heart of our bicycle, doing the same with the chain is taking care of its circulatory system. There are special tools that help clean and degrease the chain. If you can’t get one, a toothbrush or a flannel cloth can again be our best friends for this task. After spraying it with a degreasing solvent, place it on the chain and turn the pedals slowly so the dirt starts to stick to the cloth. With a brush previously dipped in water and solvent, remove the dirt from the gears, including the crests. The logical next step is to lubricate the chain and all the drivetrain components. Finally, remember that it is not a good idea to let the bicycle air dry by itself; instead, you should do it with a clean towel. If you have an air compressor or know someone who can lend you one, even better.

How often should you wash your bicycle

There’s little point in finding the perfect place to store your bicycle if you don’t spend some time cleaning it afterwards. Mud, sand, rainwater, sweat, and even salt in coastal areas are enemies of your bicycle’s good condition in both the short and long term. Rust can also appear on some parts.

The ideal thing is to do a light maintenance cleaning after each use, and periodically, depending on how you use it, do a thorough cleaning. Finally, three basic tips:

1- Take advantage of cleaning to check the overall condition of all parts of the bicycle. You’ll be doing preventive work that will help you detect breakdowns, rubbing, play, etc.

2- Don’t make the mistake of only considering the price when buying cleaning products for your bicycle. The saying that cheap things end up being expensive is true, so buy quality products.

3- On the moving parts of the bicycle, lubrication is just as important as cleaning. One without the other is counterproductive for the lifespan of the components that make up your two-wheeled friend.