7 little helpers for a clean bike

Stefan Loibl

 · 07.10.2020

7 little helpers for a clean bikePhoto: Stefan Loibl
7 little helpers for a clean bike

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If you want to enjoy your bike for a long time, there's no getting round regular washing and care. We show you practical tools and products that make washing easier and fight dirt.

Cleaning a bike is more time-consuming than washing a car. But it could be so simple: roll the bike into the car wash, press the buttons and after less than three minutes the bike rolls out of the machine sparkling clean. But the reality is different. There are only a few automated bike washes like this in some major German cities. That's why you usually have to do it yourself after a wet and cheerful tour through the countryside. Especially in autumn and winter, when the mud puddles persist in the woods and there may also be road salt.

  Bike washing facilities - such as those from <a href="https://clean-your-bike.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Cyb Bikewash</a> - are only available in a few large cities. But the mobile facility can also be hired.Photo: Hersteller Bike washing facilities - such as those from Cyb Bikewash - are only available in a few large cities. But the mobile facility can also be hired.

Add-ons for hose, cleaner and sponge

With the basic equipment consisting of a garden hose, Bicycle cleaner or washing-up liquid and a sponge is all you need for quick basic cleaning. It's a bit like roughly washing your car for two euros in a self-service car wash. However, if you want to clean and maintain your bike a little more intensively, you have to take your time and need additional tools. We show you seven practical little helpers that will make your work easier:

  A string for cleaning? With the <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=11768&awinaffid=471469&clickref=B+care+floss+cleaning+string&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rosebikes.de%2Fhanseline-velo-floss-putzschnur-2673183" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Velo Floss cleaning string from Hanseline</a> * you can also clean the nooks and crannies in between where it would otherwise be difficult to reach. For example, the spaces between the sprockets, the axles or certain areas of the crank. The 5-piece set of the 51-centimetre-long cord made of tear-resistant microfibres costs six euros.Photo: Hersteller A string for cleaning? With the Velo Floss cleaning string from Hanseline * you can also clean the nooks and crannies in between where it would otherwise be difficult to reach. For example, the spaces between the sprockets, the axles or certain areas of the crank. The 5-piece set of the 51-centimetre-long cord made of tear-resistant microfibres costs six euros.  With the <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=9326&awinaffid=471469&clickref=B+KHB+6+K%C3%A4rcher&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.obi.de%2Fhochdruckreiniger%2Fkaercher-akku-mitteldruckreingier-khb-6-battery%2Fp%2F9445354&pref1=bike" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">KHB 6 from Kärcher</a> *, the garden hose becomes a pressure washer in an instant. The handy device requires no power connection thanks to its rechargeable battery and delivers up to 24 bar. One battery charge, which you can always keep an eye on thanks to the permanent display, lasts around twelve minutes. You should be able to clean 2-3 bikes with it. The Kärcher pressure washer is supplied with two nozzles that can be changed quickly. Price: 195 euros.Photo: Stefan Loibl With the KHB 6 from Kärcher *, the garden hose becomes a pressure washer in an instant. The handy device requires no power connection thanks to its rechargeable battery and delivers up to 24 bar. One battery charge, which you can always keep an eye on thanks to the permanent display, lasts around twelve minutes. You should be able to clean 2-3 bikes with it. The Kärcher pressure washer is supplied with two nozzles that can be changed quickly. Price: 195 euros.
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  It is best to use a microfibre cloth for wiping down after washing to avoid scratching the frame paintwork and surfaces. A particularly fluffy and absorbent <a href="https://amzn.to/34vEj2g" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">cloth is available from Dr. Wack</a> *. Price: 8.76 euros.Photo: Hersteller It is best to use a microfibre cloth for wiping down after washing to avoid scratching the frame paintwork and surfaces. A particularly fluffy and absorbent cloth is available from Dr. Wack *. Price: 8.76 euros.  Where to put the bike when spraying it down with a hose or pressure washer? It's best to park your bike in a simple stand like this one. This means you don't have to worry about it falling over and you can clean it from all sides. The robust <a href="https://amzn.to/3lhFVTK" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Superstand from Willworx</a> * costs around 30 euros and holds wide MTB tyres just as securely as the kids' bikes.Photo: Hersteller Where to put the bike when spraying it down with a hose or pressure washer? It's best to park your bike in a simple stand like this one. This means you don't have to worry about it falling over and you can clean it from all sides. The robust Superstand from Willworx * costs around 30 euros and holds wide MTB tyres just as securely as the kids' bikes.  Of course, for stubborn stains you can use the classic foam sponge and a toothbrush. However, professionals use a brush. The <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=11768&awinaffid=471469&clickref=B+Park+Tool+Brushes+Set&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rosebikes.de%2Fpark-tool-bcb-42-bursten-set-2654044&pref1=bike" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">brush set from Park-Tool</a> * contains four different brushes - from the delicate cassette brush to the large, soft version for soaping. The set costs around 25 euros.Photo: Hersteller Of course, for stubborn stains you can use the classic foam sponge and a toothbrush. However, professionals use a brush. The brush set from Park-Tool * contains four different brushes - from the delicate cassette brush to the large, soft version for soaping. The set costs around 25 euros.  The small pulleys on the derailleur cage are particularly susceptible to chain grease and dirt. To clean them, simply use a <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=11768&awinaffid=471469&clickref=B+tire+lever&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rosebikes.de%2Ffahrradzubeh%25C3%25B6r%2Fwerkzeug-und-wartung%2Ffahrradwerkzeuge%2Freifenheber&pref1=bike" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">tire lever</a> * (e.g.e.g. <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=11768&awinaffid=471469&clickref=B+Birzman+Tire+Lever&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rosebikes.de%2Fbirzman-tire-lever-reifenheber-3-er-set-2666353" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Birzman Tire Lever</a>*). This keeps your fingers clean.Photo: Georg Grieshaber The small pulleys on the derailleur cage are particularly susceptible to chain grease and dirt. To clean them, simply use a tire lever * (e.g.e.g. Birzman Tire Lever*). This keeps your fingers clean.  Don't just belong on the changing table, but also in the workshop: <a href="https://amzn.to/3P2L2XZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">wetting cloths</a> *. They help against oil-smeared hands afterwards and reliably clean greasy drive components such as the chainring, rear derailleur or chain.Photo: Hersteller Don't just belong on the changing table, but also in the workshop: wetting cloths *. They help against oil-smeared hands afterwards and reliably clean greasy drive components such as the chainring, rear derailleur or chain.

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