Fortunately for you, taking care of a bike is like owning a cat…it’s pretty low maintenance but Cat Kom and Bethany are here to fill you in on the few, but essential, things you should do in order to keep your bike from being damaged and increase it’s lifespan.

First and foremost, before or after every workout, check to see if adjustable features (like seat height) are fully locked down to ensure yourself a safe and blemish free workout. Otherwise you’ll feel off kilter and it can impact your form. It can also wear down the parts if they are not secure.

Secondly, after every session on your bike, make sure your bike is scintillating clean. Although sweat is a wonderful indicator of your progress, it can rust and damage the bike, so wiping and drying it down will keep it in tip top shape. Many only think to wipe down the handlebars and seat but the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts so don’t forget to wipe clean all other fragments. This includes the base of the bike, flywheel (though water only here so you don’t remove a lube it may need), chain cover, underneath the bike seat and post. When wiping down the posts, bring them all the way up to let the bike breathe and to let it receive maximum dryness, especially if it’s chrome.

For wipes, you can use clorox (or similar), water and a washcloth or even baby wipes! Anything that’s anti germ and not too abrasive is acceptable! However, one item to absolutely stay away from is the WD-40. With so many other appropriate products on the market, you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect fix to wipe and dry your bike with!

Additionally, once you’ve finished your workout, removing the load all the way to zero (back the resistance off) to maintain suspension is a necessity.

Last but not least, call an experienced and detail oriented technician who views your bike as their own to perform an annual maintenance checkup on your bike to protect your bike from wear and tear. The most important thing they’ll do is check the chain or belt, as well as check your brake system. They’re also the right person to ask what kind of lube is best for your bike. Often the answer is a teflon based lube, which you can often pick up at your local auto parts store or on Amazon.

By establishing these practices, your bike will last a lifetime and you won’t have to worry about infectious diseases comprised of dirt, sweat, and a variety of human produced organisms latching on!

For more information on this subject, check out Studio SWEAT’S very own and beloved technician’s article by clicking HERE, and if you’re looking to purchase a bike, go onto our page for sturdy, reliable and check out our SSoD Starter Packs for affordable indoor cycling equipment!