Cleaning your bike

Your most recent ride took place on a wet road, a gravel or dusty trail, or even a mountain bike path, dry or soaked! Did you come out clean? No! And was your bike any more protected from that dust, mud, or not-so-clean water? Definitely not! Just like you and your clothes, your bike needs a proper cleaning.

Why Wash Your Bike?

The main reason is that a bike free of dirt is less likely to suffer damage from grime that can get where it shouldn’t—like in moving parts such as the bottom bracket, hubs, derailleurs, jockey wheels, chain, and of course the brakes, which are crucial for your safety. Naturally, the same care should be given to the frame and other components. If your back gets splashed with water from the road, imagine the underside of your saddle or the condition of your chainstays, not to mention the wheels and tires! The better your bike is maintained and cleaned, the longer it will last, as you protect it from the harmful effects of dirt.

It’s also worth noting that a clean bike is simply more enjoyable to ride because it runs smoother, more efficiently, quieter, and safer.

When to Wash Your Bike?

The real answer is… as needed. Of course, the more you ride, the more often it should be washed, but riding 500 km on dry asphalt is less messy for a bike than 50 km in rain, dust, or mud. So the true answer comes from what your eyes see or your ears hear. If your black wheels have turned gray or brown, it’s time to wash your bike. If your derailleur makes unusual noises, start with proper maintenance—cleaning, washing, and lubricating your bike and drivetrain—before deciding it needs replacing.

This could mean every 50, 75, 100, or 200 km, every ride, or every 2–3 rides. It depends.

Remember, a bike can never be too clean—so when in doubt, wash it.

Required materials

Water	From a hose, a spray bottle or a sponge
Degreaser	For cleaning the drivetrain (chain, crankset, derailleurs, cassette)	See our selection of degreasers and cleaners
Soap or cleaner	For cleaning the frame and components.	Here is our range of cleaning and degreasing products
Brushes and/or cloths	Include one dedicated solely to the drivetrain	Selection of brushes and cloths
Lubricant	To protect the drivetrain	Here’s our range of lubricants and grease
Workstand (optional)	Allows you to keep both hands free during cleaning	Check out our bike stands

How to Wash Your Bike?

The first step is to find a suitable place to set up your bike.

Next, make sure the bike can stand on its own. A workstand is convenient, but you can also get creative by using a car bike rack, a post, or leaning the bike against a wall in your shed, etc.

A good rinse with water removes most of the accumulated dirt. Use a sponge, a spray bottle or a hose with a nozzle set to the lowest pressure possible.

Avoid using a pressure washer, as the force can push debris into the bearings of the bottom bracket or hubs. Even if your bike has sealed bearings, their sealing is not perfect.

Once rinsed, degrease the chain, cassette, and chainrings. Starting with these components ensures you won’t have to wash the frame again if dirty lubricant gets on it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the degreaser. Biodegradable degreasers are convenient for outdoor cleaning. Use a brush dedicated solely to the cassette, jockey wheels, and chainrings. Even with a degreaser, the brush may retain some lubricant residue that can transfer dirt elsewhere.

A cloth soaked in degreaser, run through the chain while turning the pedals, should remove the dirt from the chain.

You are now ready to wash the rest of the bike. There are many cleaning products from reputable manufacturers that are effective and safe for bikes. Always read the instructions to check for any contraindications for specific components. Even the least effective bike soap is better than using unsuitable products, like bleach that can damage tire rubber or metals, or abrasive powders that can scratch the frame or wheels and lodge in small spaces.

Once soap is applied, use a soft brush for the frame and fork. For tires, a stiffer brush is recommended if you ride mountain or gravel bikes to remove debris stuck between the tire knobs. For smoother tires, the same brush used for the frame works if properly rinsed.

Pay special attention to the bottom of the down tube, the bottom of the seat tube, and around the bottom bracket, especially between the chainrings and the frame. These areas are hard to reach with fingers but accumulate dirt quickly. Once the bike is thoroughly cleaned, finish by wiping off any excess water or cleaner remaining on the bike, brakes, or drivetrain.