Raptor Ready: Cleaning your bike
This guide is part of Raptor Ready: practical advice from our workshop to keep your Raptor riding like new.
Why it matters
Winter roads are covered in grit, water and salt. Left on overnight, that mix grinds away at your chain and cassette, wears through brake pads and works its way into the bearings. Your carbon frame won’t rust, but almost everything bolted to it can.
A proper clean takes about 15 minutes, and doing it straight after a wet ride makes all the difference.
What you'll need
- Bike wash. A bike-specific cleaner that's safe on carbon and paint.
- Degreaser. To strip old lube and grime from the chain.
- Brushes. A soft brush for the frame and a stiffer one just for the chain.
- Chain lube or wax. A wet lube for winter, or a drip wax if your chain is waxed.
- Disc brake cleaner. For anything that gets onto the rotors.
- The basics. A bucket of warm water, a sponge, a low-pressure hose or watering can, and 2-3 clean microfibre cloths.
The guide
Rinse off the worst
Start at the top and work down with a low-pressure hose or a sponge and bucket, so the dirt runs off the bike rather than into it. Never use a pressure washer: it forces water past the seals in the headset, bottom bracket and hubs.
Degrease the chain
Apply degreaser to the chain, cassette and chainrings and leave it for a couple of minutes. Scrub with the chain brush while you turn the pedals backwards, then rinse. Keep degreaser well away from the brake rotors and pads.
Wash the frame and wheels
Fill the bucket with warm water and bike wash and work from the bars down with the sponge. Use the soft brush on the tyres, spokes and around the brake callipers. Only ever use clean water around the brakes.
Rinse again
Gently rinse off all the soap and salt, top to bottom.
Dry it properly
Bounce the bike gently to shake out trapped water, then dry the frame, wheels and Di2 derailleurs with a microfibre cloth. For the chain, hold a dry cloth around it and turn the pedals backwards for a few rotations.
Lube or wax the chain
Once the chain is completely dry, apply 1 drop to each roller on the inside of the chain while turning the pedals backwards slowly. Leave it for 5 minutes, then wipe off the excess with a clean cloth. Using a drip wax? Let it dry fully, ideally overnight, before you ride.
Let it finish drying indoors
Not in a cold shed or car boot, where damp sits on the bike.
Brake rotor tip
If degreaser or lube gets onto a rotor, spray it with disc brake cleaner and wipe it clean before you ride. If it reaches the pads, get it into a workshop, as contaminated pads can't be reliably cleaned at home. Raptor owners, just get in touch with our sales team.
FAQs
How often should I clean my bike in winter?
After every wet or gritty ride. Short on time? A rinse, a dry and a chain lube is far better than nothing.
Can I use washing-up liquid?
It's best not to. It isn't made for bikes and can strip grease from places that need it. A bike wash does the job properly.
From the workshop
Merton wipes a little water-repellent spray on the heads of the stem and bottle cage bolts to stop water sitting in them. Keep it well away from your brakes.
Raptor owners running a waxed chain can have it deep cleaned and hot waxed at The Workshop for £30, so it lasts longer and runs cleaner through winter. Get in touch with our sales team to arrange it.
The Workshop, Barnes
Raptor owners get expert servicing at The Workshop, including 3 free services in their first year. Questions about your bike? Our sales team is here to help.
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