Cleaning your mountain bike is something not everyone does. But it’s important.
But do you know, how often should you clean your mtb? Well, today, I am going to share my exact process here.
But, not even flying comes close to the thrill of hopping on your mountain bike and escaping to new places.
To some, riding a mountain bike may look like a healthy alternative to getting fit but it’s actually more than that!
In fact, in America alone, mountain biking continued to gain popularity in the last five years until today. Seeing cyclists travel far distances to reach destination locations is a common sight these days.
To a certified cyclist, exploring off-the-beaten paths is a welcome reprieve for the weary soul. The excitement of reaching new heights and liberating the mind from its daily troubles is priceless.
Indeed, it is more than just a pastime; riding a mountain bike is a lifestyle full of adventure, freedom and fun.
But riding is not all about celebrating glorious pursuits. Sometimes, it’s the little things, like cleaning your bike, for instance, that truly make this more intimate and personal to every cyclist.
After all, there’s nothing like a good wash to cleanse your bike from all that dirt and mud that bore witness to your thrilling escapade.
But how often do you need to clean your mountain bike?
How often should I clean my mountain bike?
Cleaning your mountain bike is a way of showing it some love. If you are passionate about cycling, you won’t treat your MTB as an ordinary moving machine; it is an extension of yourself. How you care for your bike reflects yourself and your values.
You should clean your mountain bike regularly or as needed depending on several factors. The availability of water, the mud factor, the current weather conditions and the type of terrain all play important roles in determining whether or not you should clean your MTB ASAP.
Of course, it’s a different story when you have a high performance lightweight professional bike. These bikes need frequent cleaning to extend their lifespan. A clean bike is a bike that can help you conquer new heights and help you cruise your way even in tight spaces and tough situations.
Why you need to clean your mountain bike frequently
1.To avoid damaging your bike
Mud is the biggest bike killer. Mud messes up your mountain bike in many ways. If mud gets into the moving parts of your bike, you may end up spending more on costly fixes or worse, you may end up buying an entirely new ride.
Parts like your bearings, suspension seals and drivetrain parts are susceptible to damage if you don’t get the mud off them right away. Packing a portable cleaner is a smart move so you can wash your bike right after every ride.
Mud also add weight on your ride, making it a less favorable experience. Listen to experts and clean your bike so mud won’t slow you down. And if you love riding, you will give your bike some tender loving care it deserves. It gets you out of tight and tricky places after all.
2.To ensure good performance
If you want to stay on top of your game and explore trails less traveled, you want a bike that can take you there with ease.
But unless your bike is properly cleaned and lubed, you can’t expect a good performance. Instead of exploring new trails, you may end up stranded on one of your excursions.
Cleaning your bike makes it feel fresh and brand new, ready for another thrilling and adrenaline-pumping ride. If top racers are known for sneakily washing behind the pits in between their runs, then why can’t you? The sooner you clean your bike, the better. Your bike is your pride and joy. You wouldn’t want it to look scruffy and unflattering.
3.To help extend the life of costly parts
Professional bikers opt to wash their bikes after every decent ride. This keeps the bike fresh and in tip-top shape so it lasts longer. If the moving parts of your bike get damaged, you may end up buying costly replacements. One of the most important components is your drivetrain. These are parts that keep you moving but they are also the ones you often neglect.
You may think that cleaning your bike is a waste of time and may opt for a shortcut, leaving the important parts untouched. As a result, the build-up of dirt and grime leads to more serious and expensive issues down the road.
Matt Roy from MM Racing got it right when he said the more often you clean your bike, the lesser time you will spend cleaning it next time and the task becomes a lot easier as you move along.
If you regularly ride your bike in the rain and during unfavorable weather conditions, washing your bike frequently is a smart move.
What are the recommended products to effectively clean your bikes
When going on a cycling trip, you will never know what awaits you while exploring mountain trails. You need a product that requires no battery and is easy to carry.
This Anndason 8 Pieces Precision Bicycle Cleaning Brush Tool kit includes a professional bike chain scrubber, a chain cleaning brush, a tire scrubber, a tarpered detail brush, a wheel brush, a Sprocket scraper, a Sprocket brush, and a bike clean mitt. It’s an all-in-one product that could be your bike’s best friend.
With the right degreaser and bike cleaning fluid, your bike will feel fresh again and ready for your next adventure.
Muc Off Nano Tech Bike Cleaner
Knowing how mud can greatly damage your drivetrain parts, it is important that you have a powerful cleaning formula that is tough on dirt but easy on your bike and the environment.
It is biodegradable and ideal for bike maintenance. It breaks down the dirt at a microscopic level so your filthy but happy bike looks squeaky clean again.
Its eco-friendly quality ensures that it has no nasty chemicals to damage your bike and the surrounding watershed.
Karcher OC3 4 Litre Portable Washer
Leaving mud to dry on your bike’s pricey components is a recipe for disaster. Especially if you ride during mushy weather conditions.
Good thing this Karcher Portable Cleaner is lightweight and battery operated. You don’t have to worry about mud drying on your bike and damaging your drivetrain parts. It has a spray gun so you can hose away all that mud off your bike before heading home.
It is also easy to store and can fit in your car boot or caravan and comes with a 4-liter water tank.
Conclusion
With the rising popularity of mountain biking and bike tourism these days, cleaning your bike with recommended bike cleaning products is a practical choice.
Not only will you extend the lifespan of your bike, but you will also contribute to a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle.
By reducing carbon footprint, raising awareness for a fit and healthy lifestyle, and promoting bike tourism to your local community, you are doing your part in making the world a better place.
