You may not need to clean your bike as often as you do your car or truck, but regular cleaning and maintenance is an important part of keeping your Belsize bike up and running.

Cleaning your bike doesn’t just make it look good, it can keep it performing better for years to come! 

We recommend cleaning your bike every 25-30 days or so, or once per month. If you are riding in muddy conditions you might need to clean your bike more frequently. 

Items needed:

• Bucket
• Soap
• Sponge or cloth
• Toothbrush 
• Can of dry silicone lube spray (do not use WD40)

Cleaning Steps 

1. Rinse the entire bike with water from a hose. Avoid using a high-pressure washer as this may chip the paint or get into some of the internal components. A regular garden hose with a sprayer head should be fine.
2. Use a bucket of soapy water and a sponge or cloth to wipe off the frame, seat, handlebars, etc. Common dish soap or any other mild detergent is fine. 
3. Inspect the rubber belt for damage such as fraying, tearing, or missing teeth. 
4. Clean the teeth of the belt with a toothbrush and soapy water. Because this will probably be dirtier than the frame, make sure you do this AFTER cleaning the frame so you don’t scratch the paint on your bike. 
5. Use a sponge or cloth to clean the rest of the belt. It may be helpful to wash the belt with one hand and use the other hand to turn the pedal so you can clean all areas of the chain. A few rotations of the belt should be all you need to get it squeaky-clean. 
6. If you are riding in an extremely dry or dusty environment or if you notice some squeaking while riding, you may want to use a dry silicone spray on the belt. Do not use WD40 as over time this will attract more dirt and debris to your belt and make cleaning more difficult. 

Frequently Asked Questions?

• Can I use WD40 to clean my bike or on the belt?

WD40 is actually a degreaser, not a lubricant. If you got a lot of built-up grease on the rim or some other metal component, you could use WD40 to help get it off. Just make sure to clean off the WD40 from the belt after you use it. 

• What can I use for really quick cleaning, like if I don’t have access to a hose?

The most common tool you could use if you don’t have a hose is plain old baby wipes. They are mild enough to wipe away surface-level dirt and dust but don’t expect them to break down caked-on grime.

• Do I need to take the wheels off to clean the bike?

You could, but we don’t think it is necessary. IF you have a bike stand for maintenance, it might make more sense to take the wheels off. But if you are just cleaning your bike on the ground or in the driveway, the wheels can definitely stay on.