HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BIKE ?

Cold, mud, rain, dust... You face them every time you ride, but it is your bike that will suffer the most! You know, that moment when your bike looks more like a big pile of dirt than a two-wheeler after a long ride... These are all climatic conditions that will deteriorate it, and in the long run, damage it. That's why it is necessary to know how to clean your bike, even when you are tired or lack motivation!

So, it is advisable to be well equipped with cleaning material and especially to know how to use them! A well cleaned bike is a bike that lasts in time. Regular cleaning is therefore essential! Here is a guide that will help you understand how to clean your bike.

Diagram of the cleaning of a bicycle

Pre-wash your bike

You have just returned from your bike ride and it is covered in dirt. You'll need to start by removing the larger pieces of mud that are embedded all around your bike. The mud will often get lodged in the gaps, corners and under your frame. A first spray of water at low pressure will allow you to remove these clumps easily. Same if you are dealing with dust (especially during the dry season). A first blast of water is often necessary!

Remember to clean your bike from top to bottom as this will allow the water and cleaning solutions to flow down the bike and clean it. Removing leaves and weeds caught in the transmission also provides a good pre-wash so you can focus on other specific parts of your bike.

Cleaning the transmission

ZB Clean

The proper functioning of a bicycle will depend largely on the quality of its mechanical parts. There are therefore specific products to use for this aspect. After removing most of the dirt in the first step, it's time to tackle the transmission cleaning!

First, you'll need to clean all your mechanical parts to remove any mud or dust. This can be done with a first cleaning with water to avoid damaging the mechanical parts. Then, the cleaning of your bike will go through the use of brushes intended for the cleaning of the transmission in order to remove the last residues stuck. Here you can use our different brushes like the ZB Clean for the cassette and the rollers and the ZB Twist for the crankset and the chain thanks to its double-headed brush. Note that the ZB Clean has a small scraper that will allow you to remove the dirt embedded in your mechanical parts. Repeat step 2 of the diagram as long as there is dirt in your transmission.

When this step is done, you can then apply the degreaser to the chain, chainrings, derailleur, derailleur rollers, cranks and pedals and leave it on for a few minutes. Easy to use, effective and 100% biodegradable, Zéfal's Bike Degreaser will be perfect for the maintenance of your mechanical parts! Remember to check the state of wear of all these parts! Finally, rinse everything with low pressure water so that nothing gets stuck in the bearings.

Also, be careful not to use the same brush on your bike and your mechanical parts without cleaning it first!

General washing of the bike

After that, you will have to use a cleaner on your bike. The cleaner will allow you to remove the dirt while preserving the fragile zones. Spraying your bike with this solution will make it shine again!

Spray cleaner on the frame and on your brush and apply to your frame. After applying the cleaner, rinse your bike thoroughly with water to remove the cleaner and dirt. Just like the transmission, clean with low pressure water so as not to damage anything and from top to bottom so that the cleaner is applied to the entire bike.

At Zéfal, we have developed a product for this purpose: Bike Shampoo. It's an Ecocert ecodetergent-labeled concentrated bike cleaner that will leave your bike sparkling clean after every wash! To help you scrub, the ZB Wash is a multi-purpose brush that allows effective cleaning of the frame, fork and wheels. Repeat step 4 in the diagram until your bike is completely clean.

After cleaning your transmission and bike, you will need to dry it. You can use a microfiber cloth to avoid streaking and potentially remove any remaining dirt from hard-to-reach areas such as the fork or frame at the rear wheel. Dry the chain with a hair dryer if necessary to avoid rusting!

Of course, the cleaning and maintenance of your bike is not the most motivating step but it is one of the most important in order to keep using your bike as long as possible. It is also necessary to do it quickly after a ride so that the dirt does not get stuck and become difficult to remove. The more you clean your bike, the more you will be able to enjoy it to the fullest!

The finishing touches for a well cleaned bike!

Disc Brake Cleaner

When it comes to disc brake cleaning, you will need to use a specific cleaner like our Disc Brake Cleaner! This type of solvent allows you to clean your brakes from different products and dirt (oils, greases, brake fluid, dust, mud, etc.). To clean your brakes, soak a cloth with Disc Brake Cleaner and apply it on your disc brakes or directly on the brake band if you have shoe brakes. Make sure your braking system is not soiled in the process.

"Simplify your next cleaning by applying, without excess, a lubricant adapted to the weather conditions of your rides!"

Simon, product manager for the maintenance range at Zéfal

When your bike is completely cleaned and your mechanical parts are dry, remember to lubricate the chain well by applying a drop per link and choosing the right lubrication according to the weather.

Of course, cleaning and maintaining your bike is not the most motivating step but it is one of the most important in order to keep your vehicle as long as possible. It is also necessary to do it quickly after a ride so that the dirt does not get stuck and become difficult to remove. The more you clean your bike, the more you will be able to enjoy it to the fullest!