Road bike service 1: Care and lubrication after the winter break - Winter inspection: The best way to clean your road bike

Level of difficultyfor interested beginners

Tool
- Rohloff or Wippermann gauge
- Cotton cloth
- Plastic scraper
- Caliper gauge
- Fine screwdriver
- Flower sprayer, bucket, sponge, toothbrush
- Rim eraser
- Paintbrush

Auxiliary materials
- Hot glue/tough grease
- Washing-up liquid
- Bearing grease/creep oil
- Assembly grease/carbon assembly paste

BASIC TIPS

- Disruptive factor: Do not wash your road bike with a steam or high-pressure jet, as the sharp jet of water also penetrates the bearing seals. The water cannot drain from there, the grease loses its properties and the balls and raceways are gradually destroyed.

- Fat killer: Chains should not be treated with special cleaning machines and degreasers. The grease inside the joints is dissolved by the cleaning fluid, but the dirt is not completely rinsed out. New oil or grease cannot flow in sufficiently even when the chain is dry.

- Braking performance: If you feel that the braking performance on your bike is too weak or the brake pads are constantly clogged with aluminium particles, you should try other brake pads in consultation with your specialist dealer. The manufacturers of brakes and brake pads have different compounds in their programme, which the bicycle manufacturer does not always combine to suit the rim.

- Inspection service: Before you set off with the serviced road bike, check that all components - especially quick-release levers - are secure and that the brake release levers are closed. Take a test ride away from road traffic.

- Bargain hunting: Bike dealers often offer more favourable workshop prices for inspections in winter. Ask for an appointment so that the dealer can thoroughly inspect your bike - which you should clean beforehand. Wheel dealers have special tools and expertise; they can dismantle or open bearings to regrease them.

The detailed instructions in 21 steps can be found below as a PDF download.

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