All a mountain bike needs is a bucket with some sponges and dishwashing detergent and a nearby hose. When you return from a ride, prop the bike up and spray off the majority of the mud and muck with the hose. Do not blast the water sideways at the bike because doing this may force the water into the pedals, hubs and bottom bracket, which may compromise the grease and bearings inside these components and it, can get very crucial.
Instead, spray water only from above and don’t ever direct it toward greased parts. Once you’ve washed mot of the dirt off, fill the bucket with warm water and enough detergent to raise some suds and go to work on the bike with the sponge.
If there are lots of nooks and crannies on your rig, consider getting various brushes, which will speed up the cleaning process. When you’ve scrubbed the bike fully, rinse off the soap by dribbling water from above. Don’t forget though to relube things after the bath because if you leave the parts wet with water, they’ll rust.
Store your bikes to keep them running and looking like new. The only item needed is a bike hook. These are shaped like question marks and coated with vinyl so as not to scratch the wheel when you hang the bike on the hook.
Install the hook in a stud in a wall or a rafter or beam; anywhere where the bike can hang vertically is fine.
Anyplace you can find dead space is fine. It’s also possible to use two hooks and hang the bike horizontally; one wheel on either hook. It’s not the hanging that saves the bike. It’s keeping the bike out of the environment.
You might think it is okay to leave your bike on a porch or deck as long as there’s a roof covering preventing the rain from getting it. But that is a mistake most mountain bikers face when it is already too late as moisture in the air will attack the metal parts on the bike. Especially caustic are areas close to the ocean where the salt in the air will quickly corrode components.
You can avoid these hazards by simply storing the bike indoors. If you don’t like the idea of bike hooks in your walls or rafters, consider a bike storage display stand, which your local bicycle shop might stock or can order for you.
These provide convenient storage while displaying the bike like a work of art.
