I’ve been cleaning mine every 2 rides, even if it doesn’t really look dirty. I mainly do it just to stay on top of it, but I’m starting to wonder if I’m doing it more often than I need to.
How often are you all cleaning yours?
What would you consider too often?
Also as a side question, what lube are you using these days?
A couple of photos of mine after a clean.
by biggieilish
9 Comments
Months.
I hose it after every ride because I keep it in the house (it is family). A proper wash with detergent every 4 or 5 weeks. I use squirt lube – it’s a drip wax.
I recently moved from coastal Oregon, to coastal BC, and while super similar climates, have had to up my cleaning game on a major way. Where once I could get away with not cleaning my chain more than once ever 5 or 6 rides, I’ve had to start cleaning it every one or two rides max.
There is no “too often”. After every ride is smart because it’s quick and easy when it’s not very dirty. You already know that your fastidious habit also increases the life of every part of the bike, and there’s nothing more “pro” than showing up to the ride with a spotless bike.
Rock on with your great habit 🤙
I spray it with the hose when it’s annoyingly dusty or muddy and hit it with a brush and some soap maybe once a year. Drivetrain gets wiped and lubed every ride. I use whatever the local shop tells me to, often what’s pictured, I think I have some muc off lube right now.
Maybe each year.
I washed mine when I shared the trail with a lot of horses and their tail pipe emissions.
Otherwise no. Waxed chains also means minimal grime in the gears.
Whenever it needs it
Have a bmx bike from 2008 and never cleaned it once. Still has roofing tar all over the frames paint. I did spray some chainlube on it once back in 2023.