For the rear derailleur, simply get out the toothbrush, dip it in your container of degreaser and begin scrubbing away at the rear derailleur.
The main area of build up will probably be the pulleys (two small toothed rings in the derailleur). Get your rag and dry the derailleur and pulleys. Try to get in all the nooks and crannies. And make sure you wipe down the pulleys.
For the front derailleur follow the steps as you would with the rear. You will not have pulleys to clean, but you will have to get into some tight corners. Once you have finished cleaning both derailleurs, shoot some Teflon spray on the springs and tight areas to help lubricate the system.
Cleaning and maintaining smooth working brakes is crucial for smooth stops and overall bicycle safety. It is best to remove both wheels to perform these steps.
Dip your toothbrush in your degreaser and scrub away. With the wheels removed, pinch the break pads together to get to expose the difficult-to-reach areas. Also scrub the pads. There will be dirt between the treads of the pads.
The crank system is a major dirt “magnet” and keeping it clean is necessary for maintaining a smooth pedaling bicycle and is a key step in your weekly/monthly maintenance.
However, it is important to note, you do not have to remove the entire crank set from the bottom bracket each time you clean. By removing the chain rings, you can access those “hard to get” areas much easier. And you do not have to remove the chain rings each time you clean.
How many miles you cover on your bike will determine how specific and how many times you will lean your bike. It is important to clean your crank system once a week to twice a month.
Take the 5mm Hex wrench and remove the chain ring bolts. Grab a hold of the pedal for leverage. There are two parts the chain ring bolts. After unscrewing the front, you need to remove the other located at the back of the small chain ring.
After removing the chain ring bolts, let them soak in a small container of your degreaser while you continue.
When removing these bolts, be careful of your knuckles when unscrewing these bolts. The sudden loosening of a bolt could find your knuckles/hand becoming one with the teeth of the chain ring and it will cut you.
After removing the screws, line up the right side of the crank system with the right crank arm pointing straight down. You will notice two numbers located on the chain rings. These numbers represent the number of teeth on the each chain ring.
These are important to remember upon putting the chain ring back together. They must be facing you. Some larger rings will also have a pin on one end that lines up directly behind the right crank arm at the 6 o’clock point.
Once removed, scrub away on the chain rings. Remove the chain ring. First remove the big ring from the front the remove the smaller ring from behind the crank system.
You will now have access to your chain. Simply take the chain and lift it around the crank arm so you can now access the bottom bracket tube. Dip the toothbrush into the solution and begin scrubbing. And don’t forget the underside as well. This area is often neglected and is a dirt magnet.
Before putting the chain rings back on the crank arm, lift the chain back over the crank so it is inside the crank arm and resting on the bottom bracket tube.
When putting the chain rings back on, begin with the small ring first. While facing the chain ring, fit the small ring from behind. Make sure the number on the ring (39 or 42) is facing you.
Then replace the large ring from the front with the number facing you (53, 56, etc) both should fit snug in their respective positions. Also make sure the pin or dimple on the larger ring is lined up with the crank arm. And then attach the screws, making sure the holes line up.
