CLEANING THE BIKE

Bike is a collection of moving parts. When they come into contact with mud, dirt and various debris, the wear and tear is inevitable. This accelerates the deterioration of bike parts. Unsurprisingly, the first line of defense against all these is proper cleaning. How often do you clean it? Purification cycling depends on how (and how often) go for a ride and the weather conditions. So if you spend much time driving in wet - muddy conditions, or if you drive hard, fast and regularly clean your bike more

often. Very few bikers cleaning their bikes after every ride. But a program for simple cleaning (once a month, once a week or more often, depending on the type of cycling) is important and necessary.
Basic cleaning supplies:
Supplies product you may need depend on the state of the parts to be cleaned. Here is a brief list of key elements that cover most cleaning tasks.

Clean clothes: A good solution for both grease, oil and wax and for cleaning and drying are the clean clothes.
 

Soap: For washing frameworks. Use something mild, like diluted dish soap or a cleaner bike.



Water: Pay attention when you drop to the bike water under pressure can cause damage to sensitive systems.

Brushes: Use a couple of different sizes and shapes to remove dirt in places where simple rinsing alone can΄t clean. Old toothbrushes are good for corners and crevices and chain.

Solvents: You will need some type of general solvent for the parts of your bike as the chain and gears which are in dirt. Petrol, oil or some other special liquid are some of the materials you can use.

Bike Wash: If your bike is not dirty enough, pass the frame with a damp cloth, dampen otherwise without using water under pressure. With the sponge after you make a rich lather pass all parts of the bike from top to bottom leaving the sprockets and the chain. Use a small brush to spend points that were difficult to reach with the sponge. With a small brush, wash the parts of the derailleur to remove dust, dirt and oils. Take a brush solvents and pass the chain touching the brush chain and rear cassette rotating forward cranks (pedal). Then clean the cranks. For best cleaning results with chain you can buy the special chain cleaning device. Rinse the bike without water pressure. Wipe to collect most quantity of water, and leave it a little bit to dry.

 
   After allowing the bike to dry clean from  the  damp  we use a cloth to clean the wheel rims at the point where there is a catching pad.  Also  the  brake  system  if  we  have V-brakes or Disc brakes (hydraulic or mechanic) drives if you have to leave the remains of the pad. If the remains are not fleeing put some alcohol on a clean cloth and clean it again.

The last and most important part is oiling, that will stop the erosion so on the destruction of bike parts.

Oiling Bike: By  keeping  all  the  parts  of  your bike properly lubricated you will keep it in a good performance. The oil protects moving  parts  from  excessive  wear  caused by friction, the "freezing", rust and corrosion from attacking the exposed metal parts. Be careful, though because   excess  lubrication  can  result  in  poor  performance  and  damage  components (excess  lubricant attracts dirt and other abrasive particles). As a general rule, the excessive oiling  should  always  be  removed   by  carefully  wiping  across  the  surface of the bicycle.
Tip: When  lubricate  different  parts  simultaneously,  just remember the order in which you apply  lubricants. Wiping off the  excess  oiling  in the same order will give lubricants time to soak in. When lubricate your  bike, make  sure  you  use  lubricants  that  are suitable to the weather and driving conditions of your place. The rainy areas  require  more durable bicycle oils, while drier areas require lighter oils will not get as much dirt. Also, keep in mind that wet conditions usually require more often lubrication. Consult a local bike shop or bike mechanic for lubricants that match your driving conditions.

What is needed to lubricate the chain: The chain of your bike is 'at risk' when lubricated only a part of it. You  should lubricate  more  often  all  so you can achieve slower pace of wear. Generally, lubricate the chain every time you produce a sound or appear  "dry". The oiling after rainy rides will help  keep  your  chain  from  rusting.  Keep in mind that the type of chain lubricant  (liquid or dry lubricant wax)  affects  how  often  should you oil it. Avoid excessive oiling. Before starting your  ride,  with  a  clean cloth wipe the chain, especially if you have lubricate it  earlier  in  order  to collect the excess  oil  which  is  useless  for  you  and  only  dust  can  collect  on  it.

Ropes brake-speed: Lubricate cables ropes to their inputs to the cables that wire to where we tucked into the plastic and we move forward - back with the help of gear levers or brakes. If you see rust spots immediately replace them.

Finally add small drops of oil on the axles of the pedals and where screwed the bolts of derailments.

Proper maintenance of the bicycle and its peripherals, prevents soil erosion or the appearance of other ordinary losses due to passage of time. Following the above ensure the longevity of our beloved bike and our own security.

After washing - cleaning, drying and the lubrication of mechanical parts of your bike follow the maintenance process - hydration of some parts of your bike such as saddle, tires and ultimate protection from dust.

Tires: After cleaning the wheel rims, the spokes, the wheel release mechanism you can deal with tire maintenance. After soaping - cleaning - drying tire get the special liquid which is like olive oil, spread a small amount onto a clean cloth and then brush it over the bike. The wheels will immediately get the black color as new. This material simultaneously cleans and nourishes the wheels from little slots. Pay attention in not riding your bike for 15΄ due to slippery wheels. After this short period, the wheels will be like new.

 

Saddle: Saddle is part of the bike that is responsible to a greater extent for our driving pleasure. The friction generated by the seat, generates damage. But there is a solution for them. Using the black tube (see photo) and with the help of a round sponge put a small amount of starting in the saddle. The material is in the form of gel with aloe and neutral PH thoroughly cleans the saddle. After you leave for a while to dry put the material contained in the white tube (see photo) with the help of the second round sponge with microfiber, and apply it across the surface. Then let it dry and at the next ride your saddle will look like new.

Silicone: In the end after we have followed all the above steps you get the special silicone spray and sprayed your whole bike frame except disc brakes. Leave it for about 5΄ and then with a microfiber cloth wipe the frame while you polish it. This will leave the frame gloss which will protect your bike during your first ride from dust deposited on it, so if your ride does not include wet places or fluids or not a rainy day, when you go back to your home simply wipe off the bike and is ready for the next trip. By that simply way you can keep very clean the whole frame.

The maintenance and protection of our favorite two-wheel friend is continuing in order to always achieve the maximum of our physical capabilities.