How to Clean a Race Bike

by John · 18/10/2013

So what do you need to clean your bike properly? I have used the same bike cleaning system for over 20 years and here’s the basic equipment I use:

– a bucket of soapy water
– a chain cleaning tool with some cleaning solution
– some sponges or cloths if you prefer
– a stiff outdoor brush

Extras that you may like to include in your cleaning kit include:

– a specific bike cleaning concentrate to make an effective cleaning solution, such as Fenwick’s FS-1 Bike Cleaner Concentrate
– a chain cleaner, such as Fenwick’s Foaming Chain Cleaner, which is good for getting rid of crud on a dirty chain
– the very clever Fenwick’s Chain Cleaning Sponge
– varied shaped, soft and hard, long and short bristled brushes
– chain lube and various other lubes

Invest in a good workstand as this will make life a lot easier when it comes to cleaning your bike, putting everything at the right height so as not to stress your back.

If you keep all of your cleaning utensils together all of the time in a dedicated bike washing bucket, it’ll make life so much easier as you won’t have to fight your partner over having made the household or car washing bucket dirty. Be serious about bike cleaning; hook your bucket over your workstand and keep your essential cleaning kit in it to ward off anyone thinking they can use it for other purposes.

This is what you need for cleaning your race bike

I have always used a chain cleaning machine. Some people don’t like them but I swear by them. I like the Park ones but also for those of you in the UK, Halfords do an own brand one which is superb. If you decide to go with one, then use your chain cleaner first, as getting this messy job out of the way before anything else will help make the rest of the cleaning process far more effective. A clean chain will last longer and impart less wear on your other components.