POST RIDE CLEANING ROUTINE

Keep your bike in prime condition with this essential post-ride cleaning routine

FIRST CHECK

If we are at a race we clean the bikes of the riders every day, of course, but for training days at home it’s important to make a small bike check and decide if it’s time to do a full bike clean or not.

CHAIN CONDITION

A quick chain check will tell you if it’s time for a big bike wash. Take one chain link with two fingers and move back and forth. If you hear a sandy, scraping noise it’s definitely time for a full clean.

EXTRA ATTENTION

Don’t forget that your chain will have deposited muck onto the other moving parts, so you will need to pay as much attention to your chainrings, pulleys and cassette as to the chain itself.

WIPE AWAY

After your ride, use a wet towel to wipe away sweat from the top-tube and residue of sports drinks that run down the tubes from your bidons. If your bike is not obviously dirty then check your chain.

WASH CYCLE

Wipe your bike down with soap and water, rinse, then dry with a towel. Next concentrate on your drivetrain. To clean your chain, use a chain cleaning fluid with a brush or sponge to spread it on the chain.

DRY AND LUBE

Dry everything thoroughly and put a good bike lube onto the chain system to avoid rust, then shift through all the gears once. After riding in wet conditions you will need to dry and lube every time.