How to execute a quick bike clean after a messy ride

Your bike is covered in clumps of dirt after riding trails on a mixed-terrain ‘cross rip or is all gritty from rolling on damp tarmac but you don’t have time for the full thorough bike clean your bike deserves. You should avoid storing your bike as-is even if you’ll be back in the saddle in 24 hours. That’s because the mud and dirt will quicken corrosion on the chain and other delicate parts of your bike. Cleaning at least some of it off will also allow you to bring your bike into your home without getting everything dirty if you don’t have the luxury of storing your bike in a garage. So if you don’t have time for a full bike clean, here’s at least the minimum you can do before returning for a more thorough cleaning later:

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1) Wipe off the frame with a rag

You first want to remove as much of the mud that is clinging to your frame. Start at the top of the bike where there is less dirt and work your way towards the dirtiest areas. The bottom bracket will attract the most mud so you will need to spend a bit more time here so you can bring your bike into your house or apartment without getting dirt all over the place. The goal here isn’t to get your frame spotless but to remove any dirt that will dry up and fall off dirtying your place.

2) Clear gunk from the wheels

A lot of dirt clings to tire treads so your wheels will need a bit of attention before you can safely bring your bike into your home. You may need a brush or a wet rag to remove everything that’s clinging to your wheels. If you can end your ride rolling on some damp grass, that could reduce the amount of debris that’s stuck to your wheels.

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3) Rinse your bike with a hose

If you are lucky enough to have access to a hose, you may be able to get away with doing a large portion of your quick clean without a rag. Instead, just spray the mud off. Be cautious around the headtube, bottom bracket and hubs to ensure you aren’t spraying precious grease away from these rotating parts.

4) With a different rag, clean and re-lube your chain

Regardless of how you’ve removed the dirt from your bike, the most important part of the cleaning process is to make sure your drivetrain is well cared for. Storing your bike with mud and gunk on the drivetrain will lead to corrosion and potential rust build-up. Your chain, cassette and chainrings will all wear out faster and need replacing sooner if not properly cared for. With a different rag, wipe down the chain, pulley wheels and chainrings. Once this is done, take your lube of choice and reapply on the chain. Wipe down the excess.

5) Dry off the bike the best you can

Ideally, you store your bike somewhere with good air circulation so it will properly dry off. Leaving moisture on your bike isn’t a great idea so with a dry rag or paper towel, wipe down your bike before storing it. Even if it’s not perfectly clean, doing these steps will leave your bike in much better shape than just leaving it until you have time for a full cleaning.