DIY Bike Wash
There are different types of bike cleaning: dry cleaning, wet cleaning and deep cleaning:
- Dry-cleaning mainly consists of removing light build-up of dirt from your bike and maintaining the chain. To do so, wipe your chain with a clean cloth to remove the old oil and then oil it. CyCLO recommends monthly maintenance.
- The water wash can either be carried out at home or at... bike-wash. However, CyCLO recommends using the bike-wash only if your bike is very muddy, given the water consumption of this service. If you decide to clean your bike at home, all you need is a brush and a bucket of water. Luben demonstrates in this video.
- In-depth maintenance: in addition to cleaning, a bike sometimes needs more in-depth care, which includes dismantling certain parts, degreasing and re-greasing the inside of the hubs, etc.
What is a bike wash?
Like the car wash, the bike wash is a high-pressure cleaning service for bicycles. It is only available at the Point Vélo Bourse, and costs €1 for 2 minutes. To ensure that the cleaning goes smoothly, please bring your own equipment: a brush and a cloth. If you forget, you can buy a kit on site for €12. It goes without saying that your bike doesn't often need a visit to the bike wash.
Our tips for a successful bike wash
- Don't use more soap than you need. It's very effective, and would be a waste. Detergent is potentially harmful to health and the environment.
- Keep the spray at a distance of 40cm from the bike and be careful around moving parts (so as not to remove the grease needed to keep the bike's bearings running smoothly).
- Please tidy up when you have finished.
- Before oiling your bike, wait until it is completely dry!
