Cleaning your bike at the co-op

Overview

A clean bike shifts better, brakes better and lasts longer. Most people never clean their bike until something stops working -- and when they finally do, they end up washing it in the shower and then spending another 20 minutes scrubbing black grease out of the tub. Save yourself the trouble and bring it to the co-op. We have cleaning supplies, degreaser, rags and a place to make a mess that is not your bathroom. A basic cleaning takes about 20 minutes and costs nothing beyond the $2 suggested donation.

What we have at the shop

• Degreaser -- for the chain, cassette and chainrings
• Brushes -- stiff bristle brushes for the drivetrain, softer ones for the frame
• Clean rags -- for wiping down and drying
• Chain lube -- applied after cleaning so you don't ride home with a dry chain
• Buckets and water -- no hose, we work with buckets

We do not have a pressure washer and you do not want one anyway. High pressure forces water into bearings, headsets and bottom brackets where it causes rust from the inside out.

The cleaning order

Work from the dirtiest parts to the cleanest so you are not spreading grime onto clean surfaces.

1. Drivetrain first. Apply degreaser to the chain, cassette, chainrings and derailleurs. Let it sit for a minute. Scrub with a stiff brush. Wipe everything down with a rag. This is where 80% of the grime lives.

2. Wheels and tires. Wipe down the rims -- especially the brake track if you have rim brakes. Grit on the brake track chews through pads and rims. Scrub the tires to check for embedded glass or debris while you are at it.

3. Frame. Wipe down the frame, fork and handlebars with a damp rag. Pay attention to the underside of the down tube and around the bottom bracket -- road spray collects there. If there is caked-on mud, a damp brush works better than a rag.

4. Brakes. Wipe the brake pads and check for embedded metal or grit. Clean the cable housing entry points where dirt gets packed in.

5. Re-lube the chain. Apply one drop of chain lube per link while slowly backpedaling. Wipe off the excess with a clean rag. A properly lubed chain is not wet or drippy -- if it is, you used too much.

How often to clean

Depends on how and where you ride:

• City commuter -- wipe down the chain and lube it every two weeks. Full cleaning once a month.
• Rainy day rider -- clean and lube the chain after every wet ride. Salt and road grime in winter are especially destructive.
• Fair weather rider -- full cleaning every couple months is fine.

The chain is the indicator. If it is black, gritty or making noise, it is overdue. A clean chain is the single easiest way to extend the life of your cassette, chainrings and derailleurs.

Common mistakes

• Lubing a dirty chain. Lube on top of grime creates a grinding paste that accelerates wear. Always degrease first, then lube.
• Using WD-40 as chain lube. WD-40 is a solvent, not a lubricant. It strips the existing lube and evaporates, leaving the chain dry. Use actual chain lube.
• Pressure washing. Feels satisfying, destroys bearings. Use a bucket and rag.
• Skipping the re-lube. Degreaser strips everything. If you clean the chain and forget to lube it, you will ride home metal-on-metal.
• Over-lubing. Excess lube attracts dirt which defeats the purpose. One drop per link, wipe off the rest.

While you are here

Cleaning is a good time to catch problems early. While the bike is clean and you can actually see everything, check for:

• Cracked tires -- sidewall splits mean it is time to replace
• Worn brake pads -- if the grooves are gone, swap them
• Frayed cables -- especially near the brake levers and derailleurs
• Loose bolts -- give the stem, seatpost clamp and crank bolts a check
• Chain stretch -- a mechanic at the co-op can measure this in seconds with a chain checker

If you spot anything, let the mechanic know. You are already here with a clean bike -- might as well fix it now.

Come by

Bring your dirty bike to the co-op on Sunday or Wednesday at 5pm. Let the volunteer at the reception table know you want to do a cleaning and they will point you to the supplies. We will show you the routine if it is your first time.

Email contact@timesup.bike if you have questions. We are at 626 East 14th St in the East Village.