Who doesn't love the feeling of riding a bike that feels like it just came out of the shop or has undergone a professional check-up? Maintaining that flawless performance isn’t exclusive to experts—any cyclist can achieve it with a basic cleaning and maintenance routine after each ride, whether on road bikes or mountain bikes.
A common mistake among cyclists is to clean the bike only when it looks dirty. However, to extend the lifespan of the components, especially the drivetrain, and make sure your bike works like it did on day one, it’s key to wash it after every ride or carrera. Discover in our road and mountain bike categories how to care for and maintain your adventure companion in top condition.
Benefits of cleaning your bike after every ride
Is it better to clean your bike before or after the ride?
By properly cleaning and lubricating your bike at the end of each ride, you’ll prevent rust problems and those annoying noises that give us so many headaches. A very common mistake is to do this before taking the bike out, which can lead to unpleasant surprises at that moment, or worse, in your rush you might overlook something and only discover it miles from home. Also, knowing your bike is ready to go will make you less reluctant to head out and enjoy it.
Cleaning routine to follow
As soon as you finish your ride, without a second thought, you need to get to work on your bike—this way, you’ll overcome laziness. Next, I’ll share the steps I follow to leave my bike in optimal condition right after finishing a ride.
The drivetrain
A poorly lubricated drivetrain or one with dust and mud residue will not only shorten the lifespan of the components, but will also cause noises and shifting issues. To avoid this, after every ride do the following: First, place the chain on the large chainring and the middle cog of the cassette. Next, spray degreaser on the cassette using a spray bottle while turning the cranks so the product spreads evenly throughout the chain. Once the degreaser is distributed, use a brush to scrub the chain and cassette while you continue turning the cranks. Do the same with the chainrings. This way the liquid will penetrate well between the teeth. Let the degreaser work for a few minutes. Then, rinse with water but without using pressure. This will help us remove all the dirt, dust, mud, and grease residue. The next step is to lubricate the drivetrain again. For this, it is important to let it dry, as water and grease do not mix well. If you lubricate the chain while it is wet, you will achieve nothing. Before lubricating the chain again, you should keep two things in mind: the first is that there are waxes and specific lubricants for each season of the year and type of use. If you use lubricant and live in an area with a lot of rain, you should use a more durable wet lubricant. And if it is a dry area or summer, use one for dry environments that repels dust better, but washes off more easily with water. The second detail to keep in mind is that, if you are going to wash the entire bike, the lubrication task should be done at the end.
The frame and the wheels
To clean the frame and fork, just use a hose without pressure, a sponge, and soap. It is advisable to start from the top of the bike and finish at the bottom. Be careful that water does not get inside the frame through the junction between the seatpost and the seat tube. If water does get in or you need to remove the seatpost due to excessive dirt, turn the frame upside down.
The fork
If we are talking about a mountain bike, the minimum we should do is clean the stanchions, so that dirt does not stick to them. Otherwise, they could get scratched on the next ride, shortening the lifespan of the suspension. As with the frame, it is very important not to use high-pressure water, as the seals could be damaged. If you use a pressure washer, like those at gas station wash areas, try to avoid the areas with bearings on the bike, such as the bottom bracket, the wheel hubs, and the headset. Pressurized water easily gets into these areas, washing away the grease from the bearings, and in the medium term, these will end up getting damaged and causing a bigger breakdown. Before storing the bike, you must leave it dry, with all its components in the most relaxed position possible: The drivetrain in the smallest chainring and cog, and on a mountain bike, the fork and dropper post fully extended.