|Bike maintenance guide|
|Around the Academy:
The big clean-up
Mountain bikes need a good scrub down after a muddy ride but any bike looks better after a wash and polish.
Do it after a mucky cross-country ride or every two or three months in dry weather.
It should take you an hour to do the job properly including cleaning and lubricating the chain. Ten minutes if you're in a real hurry.
Cleaning kit: Washing-up liquid, Water Dispersing Lube, Spray Degreaser, Brush-on Degreaser. Bottle brush, washing-up brush, old toothbrush, sponge, old sponge for the chain, chamois leather.
Use a toothbrush or a paint brush for all the nooks and crannies.
Work it with the brush to ensure the dirt and oil mixes with the degreaser.
Then squirt spray lube over the chain, gears, hubs and headset to drive out any water that has got in. Then lubricate the chain.
Dos: Do not wash your bike in the sun. The water will dry off too quickly leaving you with dull paint and a lot of streaks.
Keep the bike upright, whether it's standing on its own wheels or in a bike stand.
Don'ts: Never use a pressure washer. Bike bearings are not designed to keep out water under pressure. For the same reason, keep the pressure down if you use a hose.