How To Clean A Hybrid Bike

Hybrid bicycles are common among many riders because they provide great versatility on the road. Additionally, you can enjoy the features of a road bike and a mountain bike in one. To get the best performance from your bike, you need to know how to clean a hybrid bicycle the right way.

So, if you going on a biking safari or an upcoming mountain biking event, and you need a clean and shining bicycle, I have got you covered. Additionally, you might need to clean your hybrid bicycle if it is dirty as a result of frequently riding? Either way, knowing how to clean your bike and give it a new and shiny look is not complicated. 

If you probably thought bike washing was just a matter of pouring water on your bike and doing some little scrubs, you need to learn more. Well, I have both good and bad news for you. The bad news is, you have been washing your bicycle using unconventional means.

The good news is you are in the right place. I am going to guide you through the whole hybrid bicycle cleaning process. These steps will enable you to give your bike a thorough cleaning.

Requirements:

Before washing your bicycle, you need to have the necessary equipment. Here's a list of what you will need:-

Raise The Bike Using The Stand

When you have every equipment set, you can start. First, use the stand to raise the bicycle to an inclined position above the ground. This makes it easier for you to access the various parts of the bicycle. Use a bucket of water to get some water on the bicycle. If you are using a hose, ensure that you use a standard amount of water pressure.

Using high pressure may cause damages on flexible bicycle parts especially the bearings. That is why a bucket of water is the recommendable option. Hoses might come in handy when you want to remove dried up mud. If you are using a hose, spray the whole bicycle with water before anything else.

Pour Bike Detergent:

Pour some bicycle detergent into the bucket of water preferably hot even though cold water is still fine. If you don't have a special bicycle detergent, a car shampoo or any type of machinery detergent will work just fine. Using this soapy water clean all the parts of the bicycle frame.

These include the handles, forks, tires, rims, brakes, and shock absorbers. Be careful not to apply soap on the rotors and brake pads or the drive train. For rotors, you can use their specific cleaners or rubbing alcohol. Once you are done washing with detergent, rinse the bicycle clean with water.

Cleaning The Chain:

Next up is the chain. The chain undergoes a lot of wear and tear. This being the case, the chain needs frequent cleaning and lubrication. For the chains, you will either use a chain cleaning device or a chain brush. The chain cleaning device is effective when washing very dirty chains. It is less messy, needs very little effort and washes clean.

If the chains are not so dirty, a chain brush or an old toothbrush will do the trick. Turn the bicycle pedals with the brush or chain cleaner on the chains to wash it. Once you have removed the pieces of dirt on the chain, apply the degrease on a rag and wipe the chains. Wait for the degreasing agent to dry up. The degreasing agent will help remove all the oil, dust and dirt particles from the chains.

These particles cause friction on the chains and could be the cause of a noisy bicycle. When the degrease is already dried up, take out the lubricant. Just like the degreaser, turn the pedals backward as you apply lubricant drops on the chains. You can also apply the lubricant on other movable parts of the bicycle.

These could be the bicycle's derailleurs, pedal binder, and the levers. For those parts, you can't access using a rag, a spray lube will work just fine. While spraying the unreachable parts with lube, be careful not to spray on parts that are not supposed to be in contact with lube. A good idea is to cover these parts with a rag until you are done lubricating.

Drying Process:

When you are done lubricating, use a wash-leather to wipe off excess water from the various bicycle parts especially the frame. When the bicycle is dry, you can use bicycle polish to make your bike look shiny just like a brand new bicycle. You should not apply the bike polish on certain parts of the bicycle like the rims, the rotors, and the brake system. Polish the bicycle further using a soft piece of cloth. This will be a good way to prevent mud from sticking on your bicycle the next time you are out there on a ride.

Conclusion

You can keep all the equipment like rags, sponge, and brushes you used for the next time you want to wash your bike. Remember not to keep substances like lubricants and degreasers together with the other washing appliances. This is to keep the appliances clean and stainless. Make sure you wash your bicycle as frequently as possible. For those who would like a more practical approach, you can find several videos on the internet and especially YouTube explaining how to wash your bicycle.

A clean bicycle will boost your confidence as a rider. Degreasing and lubricating make the parts more efficient for riding. Frequent washing increases the lifespan of your bicycle by several months and even years. To reduce the amount of mud sticking on your bicycle, you can fit your bicycle with mudguards and chain guards. This will prevent the mud from spilling over to crucial parts of the bicycle. Now that your bicycle is clean, you are good to go.

Reference: How to Wash Your Bike By Wikihow