How to Clean A Bike in Seven Easy Steps

Giving your bike a regular cleaning guarantees it will keep you rolling for miles to come but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. On our recent virtual event, MassBike’s Executive Director, Galen Mook, joined Ciclismo Classico to break down the dirt on the bike cleaning know-how. His tips stick to the basics, without needing a lot of space or fancy equipment.

Watch Galen break down how to clean your bike on our YouTube channel.

If you live and bike in Massachusetts, please join MassBike your support is needed and appreciated!  MassBike is the statewide bicycling advocacy nonprofit for Massachusetts that works to create better bicycling for every rider across the commonwealth.

Gather your materials

First step to giving your bike a deep cleaning is gathering your materials. Galen suggests the following list of supplies: 

Bike Cleaning Materials List

Solvents

• Simple Green (diluted) or Green Fizz (bike-specific wash)
• Bike-Specific Degreaser
• WD-40 (sparingly, you will need to regrease after using)
• Rubbing alcohol – (Isopropyl 70% or higher recommended) For cleaning disc rotors and brake surfaces on rim brakes
• Dish Detergent – Dawn Blue dish detergent (with the yellow duck on the label)

Lubricants

• Thin “Dry” lube (better when riding in dry riding conditions)
• Thicker “Wet” or “Wax” lube (better when riding in wet and slushy conditions)
• Thin lube in a spray can (T-9)
• Enduro (Pedro’s)
• Rock N Roll – Extreme

Rags and Brushes

• Preferably an old t-shirt for rags
• Plastic bristle brush (not metal)
• Pieces of cardboard to get in between cogs

Tools

• Watering can (preferably with warm water)
• Sand paper (Fine grit to restore rubber brake blocks)

Optional

• Gloves
• Apron
• Chain Cleaning Tools (Pedro’s Chain Pig, Park Cyclone Chain Cleaning Tool)

Get Started!

Once you have your materials, it’s time to get dirty. If you’re working indoors, Galen recommends putting down a sheet or something to catch the drips to help contain the mess. Make sure you’re dressed for the job in a dark shirt or clothes you don’t mind getting greasy. Now that you’re prepared, it’s time to grab your bike and start cleaning with the following tips:

1. Using a clean(ish) rag, brush and wipe off the grime/slush/snow/salt/sand as best you can (while it’s still frozen if out from the snow). Especially the chain, derailleurs (all parts of the drivetrain) and near the bottom bracket and chainstays. You can use a low-flow of warm water, preferably out of a watering can, and then wipe and brush off the grit.
2. Optional: Degrease or soap off the thicker grit from the cogs, chain, frame, using a solvent like Green Fizz. Use *only* rubbing alcohol to clean grit off brakes, brake pads, brake rotors (if disc), and wheel rims (leaves no residue).
3. Lubricate the moving parts, specifically the chain (one drop per link where the links meet), and any exposed springs in derailleurs, brake arm pivots, and exposed metal that needs to move or rotate. Every so often you can drip thin lubricant into the cables and housing to help them stay smooth and prevent water from getting in and freezing cables.
4. Let the lubrication settle in for a few minutes (maybe 15 mins). Run the chain, move the derailleurs, “wake up” the exposed metal to let the lubrication settle in.
5. Wipe it all down as much as you like, but remember anything you wipe off is good to remove, for both grit and lubrication. You only need to keep the internals off the components greased – even the chain.
6. Every so often, check the “rotational” systems of the bike to make sure they’re not wobbly or knock around: the wheel hubs; the cranks/bottom bracket; the headset.
7. If you have rust on parts of the frame, you CAN scrape it off in spots using steel wool or aluminum foil, but then be sure to coat the spot with nail polish or another coating to keep it from rusting again!

Following these tips periodically will not only keep your bike rolling but gives you a good chance to check for any issues that need to be taken care of at your local bike shop. After any muddy or grimy rides, Galen suggests cleaning off your bike with a watering can or low-pressure water to get rid of the gunk. He also notes that your chain should be lubricated more often than you deep clean. If your chain is looking dry or feeling stiff, add some chain lube to keep it working smoothly & help your chain last longer. We hope these tips help you give your bike some deep cleaning love. 

About MassBike

MassBike is the statewide bicycling advocacy nonprofit for Massachusetts that works to create better bicycling for every rider across the commonwealth. You can learn more and become a member at www.MassBike.org. 

About Galen Mook 

Galen has been involved in MassBike since his days at Boston University when he helped kick-start the bicycle advocacy movement by co-founding a student group BU Bikes. Before taking the helm at MassBike, Galen worked at Landry’s Bicycles in the advocacy and marketing department, worked for the start-up the Hubway bike share company for the first three years of the program, founded a community bike co-op non-profit in Allston called CommonWheels, and has worked as a pedicabber and bicycle activist in the Boston area for over a decade. He especially enjoys teaching folks some of the basics of biking to break down barriers and get more folks riding more bikes more often.