When you purchase a bike online instead of from a bike shop, it should arrive mostly assembled. But depending on the brand, you likely will have to do some work. Wheels might need attaching, the handlebar straightened, and brakes adjusted. And other harder-to-detect problems could have been created during factory assembly or shipping. So it’s a good idea to have your bike looked over by a trusted mechanic before you hit the road. This will also allow you to get the bike properly fitted, something that’s difficult to do when assembling your own bike.
Not only is this bad advice, it’s largely impractical. You want to keep your bike, especially the moving parts free of dirt and grime, but that doesn’t mean getting the hose out after every ride. “If it’s just a fair-weather pavement ride, then it’s literally just a quick wipe down to keep dust from building up says mechanic Sean Ramirez. Wet rides mean more work, but if there is not a lot of mud or gunk buildup you can just wipe down and lube the chain, Ramirez says. Bicycling’s gear tester, Mike Yozell, recommends cleaning a road bike monthly (or every 20 to 25 rides), a mountain bike more often, and any bike after a really messy ride.
Using a high pressure washer is certainly one way to blast away dirt and grime, particularly after a muddy mountain bike ride. However, the intense pressure can do more harm than good: It can blast out lubricant from bearing seals and components, which will make things dry and creaky over time. Still, that doesn’t mean they’re to be avoided. Just be sure to spray from either above or below the bike, rather than directly from the side—this will minimize the chance that water will force itself into your bottom bracket or wheel hubs.
There are dozens of quality cycling-specific degreasers you can use to clean a chain and other grimy parts—some are environmentally friendly. But it’s not your only option. “Good old dishwashing soap with warm water does just about as good as anything else out there,” Carleton says. Just make sure to avoid automotive degreasers—they can damage rubber seals, and possibly even the paint on your bicycle.
This age-old chestnut doesn’t quite carry over to cycling. “Don’t wait for something to go wrong with your bike,” Carleton advises. Routine cleaning and maintenance will help identify a problem before it becomes catastrophic, and will also help you extend the life of many of the components on your bike, saving you time and money in the long run.