subject: Bike Cleaners and degreasers [print this page] Bike Cleaners and degreasers Bike Cleaners and degreasers
If you're interested in taking care of your bike, you need some basic tools in order to be successful. If you're really serious about becoming a gourmet chef of the biking world, and want to handle advanced repairs and maintenance, you'll need to buy some additional tools. First, we start with cleaners and degreasers .
The simplest way to clean a bike is to rinse it off with water after a ride. This will dislodge any loose dirt, sand, or grit lodged in the bike's parts.
When washing your bike, use a light mist spray to avoid directing water into bearing areas, such as hubs or the bottom bracket, where it can break down bearing grease.
A mild soap (such as dish soap) will remove dirt and grime, although it won't be strong enough to clean grease-laden parts such as the chain rings, cogs, and chains, as well as the insides of hubs, bottom brackets, and the headset.
Although solvents such as gasoline, kerosene, and paint thinner will cut grease and oil, we don't recommended that you use them because they're highly flammable, they emit toxic fumes, and they're very harsh on your bike.
Commercially available degreasers are designed to not harm bike components or you. Many of them are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Citrus-based degreasers are among our favorites they're made from oil extracted from orange peels. A number of green cleaners are also available not only will they clean your bike, but they don't give off the toxic fumes associated with typical solvents.
