How to wash your bike – without ruining it
How to clean your bike – without ruining it
There are two kinds of riders in Zürich:
Those who love their bikes so much they clean them more often than their kitchen, and those who treat cleaning as a punishment from the cycling gods. Whichever tribe you belong to — one truth holds: a clean bike rides better, lasts longer, and rattles less. And no, you don’t need a pressure washer or divine intervention. Just a few smart tricks — and a little love.
Step 1: Water yes, pressure no
Your bike’s seen things — puddles by the Sihl, salty roads on Langstrasse, dust from the Greifensee trails. Your first instinct might be to blast it with full power. Don’t. High-pressure water is the sworn enemy of bearings and seals. Use a soft spray or even a watering can. Think wellness retreat, not sandblasting session.
Step 2: The foam of life
A splash of mild dish soap, lukewarm water, soft brush — that’s it. Bike cleaner works great, but hand soap honestly does too. Start with the frame, move on to rims, cassette, and chain. Don’t forget the underside — it’s where all the grime likes to hide.
Pro tip: if you catch yourself whispering “ahhh” while your chain starts to shine again, welcome to the club.
Step 3: Handle with care
The chain is your bike’s soul. So go easy. Use degreaser, brush gently, wipe dry. And keep anything oily far from your brake rotors — unless you enjoy the squeal echoing down Bahnhofstrasse like a tram from the 90s.
Step 4: Rinse, dry, curse
Once it sparkles, rinse it off and dry immediately — microfiber cloth, old T-shirt, whatever. Just get it dry.
Yes, it’s annoying. Yes, your fingers will freeze. But trapped moisture in bearings is like a bad flat in Kreis 9 — loud, messy, and always at the worst moment.
Step 5: TLC & finishing touches
Oil the chain lightly, grease moving parts, maybe add a protection spray for the Swiss winter mix of salt and rain. That’s all. If you commute through Kreis 9 or love winter rides up Uetliberg, a little extra care won’t hurt.
Then stand back, admire your work, and enjoy that smug feeling when the sunlight hits your frame.
Step 6: Time for a check-up
Cleaning is also checking. Are your brakes tight? Gears crisp? Any weird noises? If you hear something suspicious — or your drivetrain sounds like it’s chewing gum — it’s time for a check.
At CycleLab Zurich, you can bring your bike in for a check-up anytime – CHF 9.– for regular bikes and CHF 19.– for e-bikes. We give it a thorough inspection and tell you honestly what needs to be done – you decide what we repair and service.
If you prefer, we’ll pick up your bike and return it to you within 72 hours, freshly serviced – smooth, silent, and ready to roll.
In short: cleaning sucks. But nothing beats that first quiet hum of a freshly tuned bike. And yes — it’ll thank you. Maybe not in words, but definitely on your next climb up Uetliberg.
