Here is how to wash a bike.
1. Get two buckets full of water. In one bucket, put an adequate amount of detergent. The soap used to clean cars is ideal; also the detergent for washing clothes is a good alternative. On the other bucket, put the same amount of soap plus a little amount of diesel fuel. You use the water in the first bucket to wash your bicycle, while the second bucket is for washing drivetrain parts like your chain.
2. Get your bike on a standing position or place it on a repair stand then detach your wheels.
3. Spray some degreaser on your derailleurs, cassette cogs, chain, and crank set. Let it stand for a few minutes to dissolve the accumulated gummy dirt and grease. Starting from the top, spray some water, lubricants, or degreaser on your headset, pedals, cassette body, and hubs. Never spray such directly on the mentioned parts. Otherwise, your bearings will lose grease and can cause wear.
4. Grab a brush dipped in the second bucket you prepared then scrub all sides of your chain. Do this while turning your crank. If you like to hold your chain, use a sponge instead. Then rinse your chain with clean water. Doing this process once would not give you a nicely cleaned chain. You may need to do this a couple of times.
5. Using the same brush dipped in the same bucket, brush your chain rings and derailleurs. Then rinse with clean water. You also need to brush them a couple of times before they are thoroughly clean. A damp rag is also an ideal alternative tool to clean such parts.
6. With a hose, spray water over your bike until it is completely wet. Then with a clean brush, clean it specifically in spots where there is accumulated mud. Do this while your bike is wet, and do not brush rigidly especially on your frame, otherwise your finish might get damaged.
7. To clean the remaining parts of your bike, use the water on the first bucket and a clean sponge or brush. It is highly advised that you use a sponge for cleaning your tubing, handlebar tape, and cables, and a brush for cleaning the areas that are hard to reach. Do not forget to clean the underneath of your saddle or seat.
8. Place your rear wheel on the second bucket with diesel fuel and soap then brush your cassette cogs. You can insert a rag or a piece of cloth between the cogs then clean just how you shine your shoes. Again, work from above not from the back or side of your cassette. You do this to prevent fuel from getting into your cassette body bearings.
9. Using the soapy water in the first bucket and a sponge or brush, clean your wheels. Brush or wipe your spokes, cassette, nipples, rims, hubs, and tires. While working on your nipples and rims, check if you see any cracks in them.
10. Using a hose, give your bike a nice rinse. Wash off any soap or grime residues.
11. Use clean and soft rag to dry it. Make sure you use separate rags when drying your frame and drivetrain.
12. Reassemble your bike and apply some wax to your finish.
13. Lubricate your derailleur, chain, and brakes. Apply some lubricant on you pedal pivots as well.
Zize Bikes, proudly built by Super Sized Cycles, are durable, safe, and easy-to-ride bicycles that hold riders up to 550 pounds. These bikes have strong custom built frames welded firmly and with double bolt clamps to secure seat post holding; large and extra strong disc brakes for excellent stopping power and serviceability; wide and well-padded saddles for great comfort; strong rims and beefy tires with slimed tubes that allow self-repairing flat prevention; sturdy mountain bike platform pedals and reinforced cranks that give superior strength; custom internal gears for easy shifting, low maintenance, and avoidance of gear slippage, grease on legs, and falling chains. Visit us at our web store, Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news and information about bicycles for riders of all sizes.
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