| First of all, and before start any bicycle | | | | rims clean of old brake block residue, you can use |
| maintenance you have to clean your bike, that | | | | a little degreaser to help this, but don't get it on |
| doesn't mean a bit of wipe with a cloth, you have | | | | your tires. Scrub the tires clean, with soft |
| to clean it appropriately and there are a few | | | | scrubbing brush, at this point look at the tires for |
| things you will need in order to do the job. | | | | any cut in the tread that could puncture later and |
| Probably, you will have to buy some tools. | | | | inspect the rims for damage or if they are |
| However, notice that most of them can be found | | | | wearing thin. With a soapy sponge wash the |
| around the house. Try to find them under the | | | | spokes and then rinse them in clean water and |
| kitchen sink, but don't let your wife or mother | | | | put them to one side to dry, not in direct |
| catch you.What is the required equipment: - | | | | sunlight.Now take the bottlebrush or a sponge and |
| - A bike workstand or handy tree/washing line to | | | | a bucket of soapy water and clean under the |
| hang your bike on. | | | | cycle saddle, under the bottom bracket, under the |
| - Old rear hub or old axle or stick | | | | brakes and under the forks, use the scrubbing |
| - Degreaser or diesel fuel (careful diesel is not | | | | brush to shift any stubborn dirt, then take a |
| good for your hands). | | | | soapy sponge and clean off all the degreaser and |
| - Hot water. | | | | loosened dirt. Then with a clean soapy sponge |
| - Washing up liquid. | | | | clean every part of the bike, start with the |
| - 2 buckets (1 with soapy and 1 with clean water). | | | | handlebars and saddle and work your way down |
| - Paint brush. | | | | the bike making sure the whole bike is sparkling |
| - Old water bottle. | | | | clean, then rinse with clean water. Remember |
| - Bottlebrush. | | | | keep your eyes open for things like worn brake |
| - Soft scrubbing brush. | | | | blocks, gritty bearings, tight or frayed cables or |
| - 2 sponges. | | | | any cracks or damage to the frame, if all is OK |
| - Cloths. | | | | put the wheels back in.Things to look for while |
| - Oil. | | | | you are cleaning your bike: - |
| - And for that extra shinny finish, spray polish. | | | | - Worn brake blocks. |
| An important premise when you are cleaning your | | | | - Damaged or thin rim walls. |
| bike is to keep your eyes well opened. It's | | | | - Damaged or cut tires. |
| necessary to remember anything that may need | | | | - Damaged chain. |
| fixing later, this is how a mechanic on a | | | | - Damaged or bent handlebars and stem. |
| professional cycling team does it, but he might | | | | - Twisted or damaged saddle. |
| have 10 bikes to look after, so it's a lot easier | | | | - Torn or worn handle bar tape. |
| with only one.You can start from the bike wheels, | | | | - Damaged or worn chain rings and sprockets. |
| and then cut the top off the old water bottle and | | | | - Damaged or worn chain. |
| put some degreaser in it, you can use a spray | | | | - Damage to cranks or pedals. |
| degreaser, but you waste most of it. With the | | | | - Condition or gear and brake cables. |
| paintbrush work the degreaser into the sprockets | | | | - Damage to frame tubes. |
| being careful not to get too much into the | | | | - Loose or broken spokes. |
| bearings. Then with some hot water and washing | | | | - Condition of brake calipers. |
| up liquid scrub the sprockets clean, then scrub the | | | | - All bearings should run smoothly. |