Cycling is a great stress-relief hobby that does wonders for your health and body. It is a great cardio workout for those trying to lose a few pounds. It is also a cost-efficient way to get around, not to mention the positive effect it could have on the environment if more people used the bike as a mean of transportation.
If you own a bike you can easily relate to the above. I am sure you are very attached to it and want to keep it beautiful and working for as long as you can.
To show it the love you carry, you need to take good care of it and keep it clean.
Rust is the bike’s first enemy, therefore you have to make sure it sits in a dry place, where rain cannot get to it.
What about when you have to clean it and it does have to get in contact with water? Is that bad for it?
Yes. If you do not clean your bike properly you can damage the wheels’ mechanism or the bearings and that can cause an accident if you’re riding it and it “freezes” on you.
Here’s how to properly clean a bike:
You start with a warm-water rinse. Rinse all the dirt off before going to the next step, which is bubbling it up.
Get a recipient with soapy water and a sponge. You will also need a brush for the hard-to-get areas. Thoroughly clean everything up. If you really know what you’re doing, get the wheels and pedals off and oil the mechanism inside. If not, just clean the bike and get someone who knows what they’re doing to do that for you.
After soaping it and rinsing it, make sure you get most of the water off by using a clean, dry, absorbing cloth.
That’s it. Your bike is now clean.
