Riding can happen year-round here in Arkansas, but there are definitely seasons that make for wet and muddy riding conditions. The typical freeze-thaw we often see during winter or even the rare dump of snow like we've had this past week are prime examples. None of us want to stop riding from a fear of getting a bit muddy.** If you do go, you need to plan for the wear and tear of the ride. When you come back from your mud-covered ride? What can you do to take care of your bike and keep it in good working condition? Here are some simple post ride steps you can do:
Rinse the bike off using low pressure
Dry it off with a towel, especially the chain and in areas where there are bearings
Lube the chain after cleaning it.
Be sure to wipe extra lube off the chain.
Do these 4 simple steps BEFORE putting your bike away. Remember that you've invested time and money into this sport and need to take care of the equipment. This will help you to continue enjoying cycling on a well-functioning cycle. Bikes get dirty on any ride, not solely mountain biking. No matter what style of riding you prefer, keeping a clean bike can go a long way. Mechanics will also have a hard time working on your bike and performing safety checks if it's covered in mud. Ensuring that you've taken care of your bike will not only extend its lifespan, but it will help you avoid a dirty bike charge during maintenance.
**Always make sure -- FIRST -- that you won't cause unnecessary damage to the trails before riding, let's take care of our trails so that we can continue to enjoy them.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT:
CLEANING & LUBE SUPPLIES
To keep your bike clean, it will help to have some basic supplies such as cleaner, brushes, and lube for your chain after cleaning. Here are some of our favorites:
Maxima BioWash is our mechanics go-to bike cleaner. It is an all-purpose, biodegradable cleaner that is tough of dirt but gentle enough for nearly any surface, including carbon.
Park Tool BCB-4.2 Bike Cleaning Bush Set is a great for getting in all the nooks and crannies of your bike to keep it clean. It comes with 4 brushes; a Gear Cleaning Brush, Tapered Detail Brush, Frame Cleaning Sponge/Bristle Brush, and a Soft Bristle Soaping Brush.
Rock N' Roll is a tried and true chain lube option. The Gold option is a perfect one solution lube for any kind of riding. For the hardcore, all-weather mountain bikers though, one like the Extreme is highly effective in the elements.
From Feb. 19-25 all cleaning and lubes are 10% off. Buy all three items above and receive 15%. Keep those bikes clean and ride on.