The perfect care

Clean the wheel, clean and lubricate the chain, change the tyre and inner tube, pump the correct tyre pressure, check the screw connections and check the gear shift.
All of the above is very easy if you know how. We deal with one of these topics in detail every week.

1. Cleaning

A clean and trimmed bike rides better, has a longer life span and is simply more fun. But keep away from high-pressure cleaners, they only get the dirt deep into the bearings and most likely damage them. A bucket of water with rinse will do, a hose and a soft brush are good enough to remove the coarse dirt. There are special bicycle cleaners which help for stubborn dirt. Our advice: Straight after the ride give your bike a rinse and don't ever let the dirt dry at all - then you only need a few minutes. A step-by-step guide on how to clean properly can be found here.

Getting rid of dirt
Spray your bike with a very soft water jet to soak the coarsest dirt. This allows for removing muck without causing scratches. If you hose down your bike immediately after the ride (especially in the rain), the dirt dissolves best.

Cleaning
Now it’s time for a bubble bath. You don‘t need expensive cleaners but only a bucket with warm water and rinse or even mild household detergent. Use a soft sponge and – except for the drive components – foam down generously top to bottom. For the less accessible areas simply use a smaller brush.Then spray the bike thoroughly with a gentle water jet.

Dry-cleaning
If you want to avoid water stains, dry your frame with a soft cloth. Same time you can check for scratches or other damage.
Finish off the frame with a good care product. This protects your frame and makes for better reject to dirt and water. By now your bike should look like straight out of the box!

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Text: Jens Vögele, Translation: Claudia Rheinisch
Photos: Jens Vögele