4 steps to a clean mountain bike

Finally it’s getting going again! Many bring their MTB back into the light and prepare for the beautiful days. It is important to check the bike for defects to avoid accidents and material wear.

Clean

A clean bike is a happy bike. Thorough cleaning protects the bike from corrosion and in winter road salt can accelerate this. The best way to clean your bike is with water and a cloth. If necessary, you can use special bicycle cleaners that can be sprayed on. When cleaning with high-pressure cleaners, make sure that you do not get too close to the components. There is a risk of removing the important protective layer such as oil and grease on the chain, and water may enter the bottom bracket and navel. So don’t overdo it with the high-pressure cleaner.

It is best to rinse off the coarse dirt with water immediately after a tour through mud and sludge. This prevents the dirt from drying and saves you a lot of time.

What you need

• A bucket of warm water
• Washing-up liquid
• Brush
• Toothbrush
• Sponge and cloth
• Bicycle oil
• Chain cleaner
• Oil spray

Procedure

1. It is best to remove both wheels first so that you can reach everywhere more easily. Spray the chain drive and the sprockets with a chain cleaner and let them soak. Then carefully rinse the whole thing off with a hose or high-pressure cleaner.
2. Now lather the bike completely with a brush and then rinse it with clear water.
3. Then dry the bike with a dry cloth. If you have a compressed air gun, the drying process will go by itself.
4. Now spray all the mechanical components such as the gearshift pulleys and cables with oil. Be careful not to get oil or grease on brake pads or disc brakes. You can now treat the fork with silicone spray and the frame with a paint care product to give your bike a new shine.

Tighten loose screws

Over time, screws and connections can become loose. Check whether all important screws are tightened. The handlebars, saddle and brake levers are particularly prone to loosening.

Testing the brakes

One of the most important parts of a bicycle is the brake. It must be in good working order at all times. Check whether there is still enough tread on the brake pads and whether you need to retighten the brakes.

Cleaning and maintaining the bicycle chain

The most stressed component on the bike is the chain. To keep wear to a minimum, regular maintenance is very important. If the chain is dry or heavily soiled, you will notice a loss of performance. It is best to first rub the chain dry with a cloth. Put a few drops of oil on the rag and let the chain slide through the rag by cranking it backwards. Then apply new oil to the chain links and crank backwards for a while so that the oil is well distributed. Residue can be removed with the rag.

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