Your bike needs a good cleaning if it’s been on the trainer all winter. Sweat is surprisingly corrosive to bike components and can lead to failures in cables, handlebars, or even crank arms — and you definitely don’t want something giving out on your first big ride of the season.
Use a mild soap when cleaning your bike. Plain blue dish soap works great both at home and in the shop. A spray bottle and a gentle rinse from the hose is all you need — just avoid blasting a strong stream near your gears and hubs, since that can push dirt in and wash grease out. A soft scrub mitt or cloth does the rest.
If you’re riding a drop bar bike, pull the bar tape off so you can clean underneath and get rid of all that winter grime. It’s a great excuse for fresh tape anyway — there are some really nice options out there this spring. Give the shifters a good spray inside with soapy water and rinse them thoroughly.
Dry everything down with an old towel and let the bike sit in the sunshine to finish drying completely. If you have an air compressor, even better — blow it out for that fresh-from-the-shop look.
Once everything is clean and dry, re-lube your chain with your favorite chain lube. Stick to a drip lube made specifically for bike chains and avoid anything marketed as a spray degreaser or cleaner. If you’re not sure what to use, swing by the shop and we’ll point you in the right direction.
A clean bike is a happy bike.