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  • You only make me a little nervous.

  • I didn't put deodorant on today, you don't want to be too close.

  • Today we're going to talk about some best practices to wash a bike.

  • To clean your bike well, you'll need two buckets of warm water (one for your bike, and one for your drivetrain).

  • You'll also need a hard bristled brush, a soft bristled brush, a cone brush,

  • degreaser, bike wash, a clean, dry towel, and some chain lube.

  • A chain cleaning tool and a chain keeper can also be helpful, but aren't necessary.

  • For best results, place your bike in a bike stand, remove both wheels, and install a chain keeper.

  • If you do not have a stand, you can lean the bike against a wall with the wheels still on.

  • Next, we'll soak drivetrain, frame, and wheels with a pre-wash of cleaning solution.

  • Thoroughly spray the drivetrain with degreaser, carefully avoiding spraying directly into any bearings.

  • We use the Trek factory recommended Bontrager Degreaser, but any bike specific degreaser will work.

  • Whatever you use, be sure to use degreaser designed for bikes.

  • General degreasers have ingredients that can weaken or damage your chain.

  • Then, spray the frame, wheels and tires with a bike wash like Trek's factory recommended Bontrager Bike Wash.

  • Or, you can use a solution of water and dish detergent.

  • Again, avoid direct spraying into any bearings.

  • While the bike is soaking, fill two buckets with a few ounces of Bontrager degreaser

  • and enough warm water to submerge your brushes.

  • We'll start with the messiest part of the bike, the drivetrain.

  • Use the drivetrain bucket and a hard-bristled brush to clean the entire drivetrain.

  • A chain cleaning device filled with Bontrager Degreaser will make this job a little easier and a lot less messy.

  • Check out our YouTube channel for more detailed steps for cleaning and lubing your bike chain.

  • Next, we'll wash the frame and fork from the top of the bike down.

  • Use a soft-bristled brush with the clean bucket of degreaser solution.

  • Clean the tires with a hard-bristled brush and the wheels with a soft-bristled brush.

  • Use a cone brush for the hubs.

  • When cleaning wheels, avoid contacting the brake system to avoid any chance of contamination.

  • Once the entire bike is clean, rinse the entire bike with a light shower spray.

  • Lastly, wipe down the frame with a clean soft towel until dry, and add lube to the chain.

  • Your bike is now clean, and after a pre-ride check, you're ready to roll!

  • If you want to go the extra mile, polishing your bike will keep it cleaner longer and give it a bit of extra shine.

  • We recommend using Bontrager Bike Polish.

  • The easiest way to apply the Bike Polish is to spray it directly onto a microfiber towel and wipe it on the frame.

  • As with any polish, make sure it never contacts your wheels, tires, or any part of the braking system.

  • For more information about bike maintenance and to find the tools you need to wash your bike,

  • check out trekbikes.com or visit your local Trek retailer.

You only make me a little nervous.

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