Washing the bicycle not only responds, as sometimes you think, to aesthetic reasons. Withdrawing the dirt that accumulates in it after a training day or competition prevents some of its components from spoiling and, therefore, their useful life is shortened and it is mandatory to disburse money before the account.
In addition, cleaning has a direct relationship with the performance we can obtain from our two -wheeled friend. For example, if in a spring through the mountain with our MTB, mud and dirt has accumulated in the transmission set, the performance can descend between 1% and 3%. Little joke.
What do we need for washing
The essential thing to perform a complete cleaning of our bicycle is to have degreaser soap and soap, two rags (one to remove the fats of fat and one clean), specific bicycle lubricant, a brush and a rod to pass it between the cassette discs and the front dishes.
In addition, the essential tools will be necessary to disassemble some pieces, although it will suffice with the most common you can have in your toolbox.
Water and soap can be replaced by a commercial product, although we must always use non -abrasive fluids to avoid damage, especially in the table.
If we have a large space at home, budget, and we don't mind scratching our pocket, we can use other tools, such as a workshop support to raise the bicycle or a LED flashlight to inspect every small detail that we want to leave as new.
Start with the painting and continue on the wheels
Remove the two wheels and, little by little, the rest of the accessories you have added to it. Once made, spray or spray the picture with the mixture of soap and water or the diluted cleaning product with which you count.
Do not use pressure jets or hoses, you would be surprised how easy it is to spoil some part of the painting and, above all, damage the bearings, change or suspension.
Then it passes through the whole area a rag, better if it can be flannel. You have the opportunity to enter some areas a bit hidden with the naked eye, such as the pedalier, the fork or brakes.
After leaving the painting, it is the turn of the wheels. Spray with the same product that you have used for the picture the tires, radios and bushings, and then use another rag to remove dirt.
If you want you can also clean the profiles. Before replacing them on the bicycle, check that they are completely dry.
How to clean the transmission
[Captation Id = "Attachment_6858" Align = "Alignnone" Width = "990"]
Photo: Depositphotos[/caption]
Cleaning the cassette, the diversion, the dish and the pine nuts is to clean the heart of our bicycle, so you have to take special care. We will apply
A soapy degreaser in all these parts that we will then rub with a brush.
With a cleaning, the task will be faster and more simple. It is worth putting a special emphasis on the Roldanas, since they usually accumulate enough dirt.
Don't forget the chain
If cleaning the transmission is to clean the heart of our bicycle, do the same with the chain is to take care of its circulatory system. There are special tools that help clean and degrease the chain. If you cannot get one, a toothbrush or a flannel rag can be our best friends for this work again.
After spraying it with a degreaser solvent, we will place it on the chain and give some pedaling, slow, so that the dirt begins to stay in the cloth.
With a brush that we will have previously immersed in water and solvent, we will remove the dirt from the gears, including the ridges.
The logical step, then is to grease the chain and all transmission components.
Pata finish, remember that
It is not a good idea to let the bicycle dry in itself outdoorsbut you have to do it with a clean towel. If we have an air compressor or we have an acquaintance who can give us, better than better.
How often you have to wash the bicycle
It is of little use to find the perfect place to save the bicycle, if you do not spend some times to clean it. Mud, sand, rain or sweat water, even salt in sea areas, are enemies of the good state of your bicycle in the short and long term.
Oxide may also appear in some parts.
The ideal is to make a slight maintenance cleaning after each use, and periodically, and depending on the type of use that we give, perform a complete cleaning. Finally, three basic tips:
1- Take advantage of cleaning to check what is the general status of all parts of the bicycle. You will do a preventive work that will help you detect breakdowns, friction, slack, etc.
2- Do not fall into the error of guide you only for the price when you acquire cleaning products for your bicycle. The saying that cheap is expensive is true, so acquire quality products.
3- In the motor parts of the bicycle,
As important as cleaning is lubrication. One without the other are counterproductive for the useful life of the elements that make up your two -wheeled friend.
