Easy 5 Minute Bike Wash INDOORS // NO TOOLS OR BUCKET NEEDED!

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[@Sorgalimluar]

Use old undershirts for bike maintenance. Always have a couple waiting for me when I get home or at work (I'm lucky to have bike hook in my office). For wet days, as you say the key is to clean/dry it right away. I quickly wipe everything down without any cleaner. I have been waxing for two years now and I will never go back to wet lube. Even if you do, you should still wipe the outside grime/paste that builds up frequently; I'm sure it would make degreasing easier as well. With wax, I switch between two chains every couple of months, and even through Chicago winters they look great with no wear. My routine is down to several minutes and my bike is ready for next ride. -Wipe the bike frame down with one shirt while drying with another like Daniel in Karate Kid! -Go through the nooks/crannies of the derailleurs -Back pedal chain to wipe off grime and dry, also switching to the two rear pulleys -Lastly wipe off any big bits from the tires Once you find that groove it does become satisfying and doesn't seem to be a chore, at least for me 😀

[@hannahahle]

This is a good video! I never clean my bike regularly because I thought the hose was the only option but this makes me want to do it. You can get special mats with little walled edges for repotting plants in your house maybe there’s one that’s bike sized or you can use two

[@jimpeyton1459]

Thanks as always Katie. With wetter fall weather, this is timely. In addition to the towel I put the bike on the mat I use for my indoor trainer. For the rear wheel/cassette clean I have an old cat litter box tray to catch degreaser drops.

[@ajbarnes777]

Awesome tips Katie! Thanks. I ride an MTB on primarily gravel trails (crushed limestone) and muddy paved trails, so my bike can get pretty dirty. Living in an apartment is quite the hassle with keeping it clean. Your tips plus what someone mentioned in the comments (using a shower curtain on the floor) are going to help tremendously! 😎

[@StevieJD74]

Great video and some top tips. You are absolutely right, cleaning your bike as soon as you arrive home after a ride is so much better. You don’t always feel like doing it but it does make cleaning so much easier. Never really thought to spray the bike cleaner onto a cloth but will give it a try. I tend to use floor wipes but it is a slightly lazy approach and doesn’t always do a great job. Also, very impressed by your sparkly chain.

[@grahambell9831]

I totally agree with Katie's outlook, is to clean the bike as soon as your home 🙂👍

[@ShawnIsBatman]

Great tips. For this type of a cleaning I will also just flip the bike upside down to make spinning the chain both directions easier (as opposed to using the bike stand). Also, I always will be sure to give the derailleur pulleys a quick wipe as they tend to accumulate junk. In addition, I have found using the Gear Wipes from Silca (but many other brands available) to be extremely convenient for a quick wipe down post-ride. While this does incur some cost, a container of gear wipes will last a month or two and work extremely well.

[@andyblades8946]

Great tips as always lass. I’d add a couple more. 1) Squirt lube is great, and easier to remove than, say, MucOff WetLube. However, make sure to wash it off and reapply. I’ve snapped a couple of chains with my amazing quads (honest 😂) as it gets tacky after a while and adds more friction. 2) Use a frame protective spray (I use MucOff silicone) after washing, as it makes it so much easier to clean after a wet ride. 3) That tackiness at 1 may actually be a combination of Peak District and Yorkshire Wolds mud/slurry 😳

[@benitorazo6573]

Good tips, katie I didn't know you could bike wash without as bucket. Have a great week, Katie

[@stevenbird1431]

Great little video Katie👍

[@josephlyne8290]

Great video, real bike life in a flat. I sometimes use a rag and degreaser to floss the casette

[@Tara_Masika]

Love this! Talk about a perk for the roadies! I'm a grubby old mountain biker... I have to scrape my bike (and myself) out of the mud like an archaeological dig before even thinking about cleaning ❤🤣 I do regularly coat my bike in Turtlewax Hardshell... works like a dream x

[@wsbygt]

Wax and one link at a time: automatic LIKE !

[@josephaLangSeb]

Great help, Nice and easy.🚴🏿‍♀️

[@tail_lamp7538]

Great video Katie 👍 Chris

[@kvloover]

I do pretty much the same, living in an appartment. 2 things to note though: - if you use squirt (or another drip on wax) you don't need the degreaser, just a dry cloth will do to get the dirt off. Or you could use warm water to melt/desolve the wax. - if your bike is considerably dirty, you might want to still put it in the bath/shower and rinse it first (maybe a towl or some mat in there to catch the oil mentioned). This to avoid rubbing the dirt out and potentially making small scratches

[@soapy_stevens6366]

I always run a wet cloth back and forth between brake block and wheel rim front and rear to remove any dirt/grit and also run a cloth around the rims. Otherwise you end up scoring/damaging the rims next time on the bike...

[@ianmacdonald487]

Great advice for a lot of people. I've always been aghast at the use of a hose, getting water into all the bearings.

[@peterharrington8709]

I spray with Muc off & do a quick hose down. Not having a problem with it. Maybe different if using a pressure washer or being OCD about it of course.

[@ianmacdonald487]

@peterharrington8709 How often do you overhaul hubs, bottom bracket, and headset? If I get caught in one good rain for any length of time, the bike gets a complete overhaul. You don't know how much water has gotten into your bearings, or how much grease you've lost,.until you take things apart. I'm a fanatic about maintenance, and I refer to my collection as the museum. I own dozens of bikes, many antiques. They will never be subjected to a hose. Be careful with the water. Good luck with your bikes, and safe riding!

[@AD-kb5ki]

Brilliant video. I use the squirt lube but thought you didn't need to degrease the chain with that?

[@ianrichardson4558]

hi katie know what you mean I live in a flat also but however I have a garage outside where I store my bikes but have no access to water, I use a plant sprayer you know the pressurised sprayers that you pump with a handle up and down not the ones with the wand but it works well and gets a lot of the grub off and then like what you've done use a microfibre cloth to clean and dry down my gravel bike can get really dirty from the trails but even my road bike picks up loads of muck also, just thought I'd share as another solution 👍

[@kevinlyon9501]

When I commuted just had a sheet of plastic in the front room made it easy to keep it clean and if it was raining allowed it to drip dry before applying lube,

[@LakeDistrictcyclist]

Highly recommend Gtechniq caramic coating unreal

[@darrellcarter1163]

Nice I'm really bad at do that great vlog skinny k

[@johnmcnulty1129]

Good tips Katie. Next time you're in Thailand, if the 'horse' is caked in mud, the bathing baby elephant will give it a blast with the trunk, only cost an apple ! :) ☀️ 🐘

[@j.r.newton2427]

Great advice and using less water is great for the planet! Also go to a garden centre to get a tray (rather than a sledge : )

[@MrCyclist]

I use a bike stand that you see in the bike shops to hold my bike off the walls. I also use wash and wax for cars.

[@Jono01]

How often do you do this Katie? I do similar clean every 3-4 weeks (or after a wet ride) and I do it while the bike is on the Kickr trainer so the bike is secure. I use the same chain lubricant and it is the best! 😊

[@darrenchubb6926]

Hi Katie good video l put my bike on a bike stand you can walk around l always take front and rear wheels out thanks Takecare care

[@wozzaguy]

Hi Katy, have you tried a Tru tension grime guard. Best buy for cyclists. 😃

[@Francesco_M.]

Bit off topic, but eventually you are going to be missed, sorely. Felt like saying that far in advance! And yes, I ask so much of my bike racking up all of that mud, suffering all of these scratches that I really feel guilty sometimes and wanting to devote more time to it to clean it up, scrub at it with a toothbrush and wax the chain. Please, be well Katie! It is getting chillier outside and so I thought you might need some added comfort to say goodbye to long sunny days out 😊

[@ukasz3883]

great demonstration on how to wipe clean bike 😇

[@KatieKookaburra]

I did think this actually after… 🤦🏼‍♀️ but it’s what I do and it is cleaning it 🤭🤭🤣😂

[@zukzworld]

Still I am using those alcohol wipes from the COVID years, it works great. 🤓❤️✌🏾

[@teleotto]

Its so nice seeing others too kneel infront of their bike applying Squirt lube🤭 First impressions of the stuff: it seems brilliant

[@beno873]

I do the same but put my bike on the bike stand.

[@hansoloization]

Nice one, thank you 🙂👍👏

[@KatieKookaburra]

No problem 👍

[@redauwg911]

Thank you for the video... I do exactly the same, But i put the chain in the big ring, And i use car wax after cause im'e nuts lol

[@AndyPhotos]

I wax my bike frame every 6 months with car wax polish and then dirt won't stick to it. It makes it even easier to clean.

[@KatieKookaburra]

Does that work?!!! How long does it take you?

[@AndyPhotos]

I take wheels & bottle cages off and it takes about an hour. Put the wax on, let it dry and then polish it off. Dirt & rain just doesn't stick.@@KatieKookaburra

[@oximoronin]

​@@KatieKookaburrayes, it does and if you get it ceramic coated instead, it will last for a year

[@jimbo4203]

Me too

[@savannahvs]

Love this! It will make it less a hassle, living in an apartment, haha. What do you do with the greasy cloths? Just wash them (is that good for the machine?)? And my chain is always giving a black mark on my cloths, does it need to be as clean so it doesn't give off black anymore? 😅

[@KatieKookaburra]

Using Squirt makes the chain loads cleaner and less black marks everywhere!!!

[@D_isco_D_ancer]

One MAYOR improvement in my bike maintenance that I did recently was waxing my chains. All my 3 bikes chains are no waxed and It has taken away so much work from my bike cleaning and maintenance.

[@andygoldensixties4201]

if you don't have a specific detergent left, don't use aggressive thinners that can damage the paint (or the carbon itself), what you use for your own SKIN won't damage. Using a bike stand will take one more minute, and newspaper sheets can replace the towel.

[@stephenwest673]

Dont forget ur Schokz headphones 😩

[@NeoPayneHK]

the rear derailleur cable hosing is too long did the mechanic use OT-RS900?

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

Great info … ta very much! I pretty much always wipe down the bike after every ride. The drivetrain tells me when it’s time for a clean and lube. PS: Maybe the “gubbins” deserve their own cleaning video … I don’t think those GCN influencers have covered this topic yet. 🚴😀

[@patford9943]

Wearing a white hoodie while cleaning anything is a skill I haven’t mastered. I put Pledge furniture polish on my bikes every so often. Road grime and mud comes off much easier.

[@KatieKookaburra]

Hahaha well it's a light grey and an old one - friend gave it me 🙃

[@carolboreham5385]

I thought degreaser had to be rinsed off the chain before it’s re-lubed?

[@joearnold3594]

I have a bike that lives in my indoor trainer. While it doesn't get road grime it does get sweaty. Use this method to keep it clean while still in the trainer. The trainer mat replaces the need for a towel on the floor as it makes cleanup easy.

[@238949]

You made that look really easy 😆😆tip please, how did you keep the bike upright and turn the pedals and lube the chain by yourself? 🤩🤩

[@KatieKookaburra]

Lean it against a wall but slant it far enough out so the other pedal doesn't hit the wall :)

[@238949]

Many thanks xx@@KatieKookaburra

[@malcolmhendra20]

I wonder if you're waxing the chain if you need de-greaser. Will a detergent work just as well.

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Detergent is much harder to clean out of the chain

[@bobtavener4824]

Interesting to see that you use degreaser on your chain with Squirt wax. I was always under the impression that you shouldn't use degreaser with Squirt. Have you had any problems with this? Also if cleaning on a carpeted area would a yoga mat under the towel add a little extra protection? Thanks for the insight though. 🥰

[@KatieKookaburra]

You use degreaser for first application but I just use it in between anyways

[@jeffhorner6917]

Hairline scratches everywhere!

[@KatieKookaburra]

Nooooo silly it's the carbon!!

[@PaulTheTurkish-ny1wc]

I just take mine into the shower which is all tiles and granite flooring. Wouldn’t risk it if I’d have glass door though.

[@stephencharles6932]

Not sure if you know about these but 'Unpass Thunderbolt Bike Cleaning Wipes' are all you need. Pull one at a time and use on frame then finish on tyres, then dispose. Cleans and shines & protects at the same time. Provides anti corrosion too. Then polish up beautifully with the cloth provided to a super shine that repels dirt etc next ride.

[@theanswer00]

They're single use though, bit of a waste isn't it

[@stephencharles6932]

That's right & not the cheapest things. Although I also still use Kleenex paper tissues and paper kitchen towel also!@@theanswer00

[@user-cz2ul1fy6e]

Can you please provide a link to the lube you used on the chain? Thanks

[@malcolmhendra20]

Its called 'squirt' widely available.

[@zedddddful]

Just try the little bottle first I've found it's making my drivetrain a bit noisy.

[@KatieKookaburra]

It’s Squirt Lube :)

[@user-cz2ul1fy6e]

​@@KatieKookaburrathanks Katie!

[@MrLuigi-oi7gm]

@@KatieKookaburraSolid tips! 👏👏👏 If you warm up your chain with your hair dryer BEFORE applying Squirt Lube, it will allow the Squirt Lube to better penetrate into the rollers and pins of the chain. This defo helps to get lubrication onto those two high stress parts of the chain. (I use a heat gun because I don't have a hair dryer or hair. 👨‍🦲->😂😂😂)

[@ScottBaker1]

Canadian and unsure what gubbins is lol

[@KatieKookaburra]

Same!!! Hahaha

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

It's all the stuff you can remove from your bike. bags, bottles, and lights.

[@rodmilankov8966]

I will just say that the wax lube you are in love with has not worked for me indoors. My chain looked clean but there was an endless occurrence of black gunk - sticky and messy. The wax dries and collects dust. This winter back to good old oil lubricant.

[@HamRadio200]

The wax if done right will not be sticky at all. Been waxing for thousands of miles now. Never been sticky.

[@rodmilankov8966]

@@HamRadio200 please define right.

[@andrewpalmer2195]

What happened to the mtb pedals? 🤔

[@KatieKookaburra]

Switching it up for the summer :) They will be back on soon

[@andrewpalmer2195]

@@KatieKookaburra could switch it up even more and try some Time ones, they help if you struggle with knee problems…

[@9RT90]

How clean is your chain? My chain won't get clean with one wipe like that! Double wipe.....at least😂

[@malcolmhendra20]

It's because it's waxed and not oiled.

[@KatieKookaburra]

I use Squirt which keeps the chain really clean all year! :)

[@9RT90]

@@KatieKookaburra I've tried Squirt before but it didn't work for me. Now using that Fenwicks stuff. So far So good 👍

[@fisharefriends598]

That won’t work on my bikes. They are filthy after rides. Urs are always sparkling

[@ebikescrapper3925]

Put your bike on a mat with a plastic backing.

[@wordpress4373]

Obviously bike is already clean, otherwise you would remove gunk from pulleys and chainrings at least.

[@KatieKookaburra]

You can defo do that with a toothbrush if you want

[@jimpeyton1459]

​@@KatieKookaburra just use a new one for teeth later

[@robp3431]

I thought you had a walk-in shower ?

[@KatieKookaburra]

Ehhh?!!

[@stephenn9680]

Use an old shower curtain instead of a towel.

[@ajbarnes777]

Genius!

[@vromaka]

This method will definitely ruin the glossy look of your frame/fork. Use a painting brush instead. Bike cleaner and degreaser in your apartment is a bad idea, especially with those snow-white walls. Why to do this at home???😯

[@adamkevern8764]

Is there wax on your legs. As they are shining!!!

[@dsm1891]

I just take mine in the bath with me?

[@KatieKookaburra]

Did that. Messed up me bath

[@darrencable1934]

Just put one of them rubber bath mat down and roll it up when finished. Only a few quid from home bargains. That way you can rinse any thick dirt with the shower spray and not risk scratching the paintwork.

[@ebikescrapper3925]

Wear gloves, degreaser is not good for the skin.

[@izmael_kneafcy]

Just rub all the sand and grit around the paintwork of your bike.

[@grahamelliott6041]

You must have money to burn if you can cut about in shorts inside your house, let us know your energy supplier so we can all switch

[@chrisstrider]

It’s tropical in Manchester 😊

[@malcolmhendra20]

That would depend when the video was recorded. Here in the UK it's been a very mild autumn so far. Started getting cold last weekend. (15thOct)

[@KatieKookaburra]

‘Cut about’ hahaha I LOVE that phrase. It’s actually warm in Manchester at the min! Tropical :)

[@grahamelliott6041]

@@KatieKookaburra not up here it isn’t, it’s bloody Baltic

[@grahamelliott6041]

@@malcolmhendra20 do you mean england ?

[@MiataBRG]

Don't put bikes in the bath. The bikes are too big and it's a world of hassle and pain.

[@craigdunse3]

Next time wear your bikinis 👌👌👌👌