Wash your mountain bike like a pro
Content
We know how much mountain bikers love to ride in any weather, including wet with mud. Some even prefer rain and slippery terrain to boost their adrenaline levels.
However, once you get home, you should consider cleaning the ATV. And the main problem is to find the most effective way to clean the bike and do it in the right place, especially in the apartment.
Why keep your bike clean?
The only thing that can ruin your ATV, even if you don't notice, is the dirt and grime that comes with it. Dirt accelerates wear and tear on all moving parts of the bike, in particular the drivetrain (chain, cassette, derailleur) and suspension.
Keeping a dirty bike is also:
- Ride with all the dirt that has accumulated,
- Riding a bike that doesn't necessarily make you want to be used.
A little bit of elbow grease is a guarantee of long life and less potential mechanical problems, which means savings.
Tip: Install a mudguard to reduce protrusions on the ATV.
Mountain Bike Washing Solutions
If you have the option of washing your bike outdoors, consider washing it with water: a simple rinse with a garden hose and / or bucket of sponge and detergent.
If you are in an apartment and you cannot wash with a lot of water, we recommend that you find a garden hose or a water intake with a bucket (for example, in a cemetery), disassemble and rinse the bike somewhere, as well as possible
Pre-rinsing is even necessary, it removes most of the dirt, but it is not enough.
Disable high pressure and select medium pressure
We may be tempted by the suggestions of specialized wash stations, but this technique quickly spoils all the parts of the bicycles. High pressure washing promotes rust by causing water to penetrate where only grease (grease, oil, wax) should be present. Damages parts, paints and other stickers.
So do not wash your mountain bike with a Kärcher under high pressure! Point!
We prefer cleaning with a simple garden hose, or better with a cordless medium pressure cleaner that you can carry with you wherever you go.
A medium pressure cleaner removes all the dirt that coats the bike after a ride. It is adjustable and you can adjust the jet as needed.
Besides the adjustable pressure, which does not damage the bike, it has another advantage: its autonomy.
To work in most cases, it has a rechargeable battery designed for several washes, so it does not need to be plugged in if it is charged. There is also a water tank.
Recommend 2 models:
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
 | Karcher OC3 Advantages:
Disadvantages:
| View price |
 | Mobi B-15 Advantages:
Disadvantages:
| View price |
Consider cleaning wipes
If you don't have enough water to wash your bike or medium pressure wash, there is another simpler and less cumbersome solution: cleaning wipes.
Cleaning wipes are a complement or even an alternative to medium pressure washing. They come from the world of motorsport.
The most effective wipes are those from Vulcanet, which has special products designed for cycling.
How do they work?
The goal is not to use too many wipes for environmental and economic reasons.
Therefore, be sure to do the first pass without napkins to remove most of the dirt.
This can be achieved with:
- wet sponge
- a special active cleanser such as Muc-off, WD-40, Unpass or Squirt following the directions for use.
Allow the bike to dry before washing with a napkin, otherwise the napkins will be less effective (active products dissolve in water). To use them, simply swipe them over the surface to be cleaned and voila.
The big advantage is that they usually penetrate into any corner and leave no lint.
They do not contain water, but contain active chemicals and oils to avoid scratching the paint. Vegetable oils act as an anti-friction agent. There is no need to rub and press, dust and dirt are cleaned off on their own.
For very dirty parts, wipe and then allow the product contained in the tissue to take effect before wiping with the microfiber cloth provided.
They protect all types of frames (aluminum or carbon) by covering them with an anti-static foil. They remove excess dirt and grease and prevent oxidation of ferrous parts such as chains, chainrings, derailleurs or sprockets.
After cleaning, wipe the supplied microfiber cloth with a cloth.
When used, it heats the wax in the tissue and settles on the surface, providing a protective layer and shine. A guaranteed effect, the matt color remains matt and the shine regains its shine.
Warning: The microfiber cloth must be clean for a flawless effect. It can be machine washed without air conditioning at 40 ° C.
For an ATV, you need to count on an average of 2 napkins.
To use as little as possible, the trick is to always start with the cleanest and most sensitive parts of the bike and end with the dirtiest.
If the bike is very dirty and pre-rinsing is not possible, use an old cloth first to remove most of the dirt. Napkins can only be used for decoration.
If the napkin has reached the end of its life, stop using it on the top of the frame and end up with it on the wheel or on the bottom of the frame. When the napkin is completely worn out, take a new napkin and return to the top of the bike, even if you haven't finished working on the wheels, you will come back to it later. If you don't follow this method of working, you risk using more wipes than intended because your original napkin can still be used (still soaked in the product it contains) but is too dirty to be used anymore. Use on cleaner parts.
To summarize: always start by cleaning the cleanest parts and end up with the dirtiest parts.
Napkins are controversial due to their environmental impact. Although they are biodegradable, they cannot be recycled. Recommendation: never throw them down the toilet 🚽!
Other essential accessories for cleaning your bike
To have a clean and reusable bike, you need a little extra equipment.
The most important is the chain cleaning tool. You can use a brush or special tool (a napkin or sponge may work, but they cannot effectively get rid of all the dirt that is slipping inside the links).
It is also recommended to bring a soft bristled brush. It is used to clean chains, rims and all other hard-to-reach parts.
For wheels and brakes, you will need a brush that can only be used with nylon bristles.
Care should also be taken to keep the bike stable, for example with a workshop stand. This is necessary to secure the mountain bike in a high static position with easy access to all parts (without breaking the back).
Finally, you should also have grease on hand to apply to moving parts (particularly the transmission).
In conclusion, to be able to wash and maintain your mountain bike professionally, even when you live in an apartment, you just need to be well equipped to ensure the longevity of your bike.
