9 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Maintaining Your Bike

Maintaining your bike is essential to ensure its longevity, optimal performance, and—most importantly—your safety. But some well-intentioned habits can actually do more harm than good. Here are the most frequent mistakes cyclists make during bike maintenance—and how to avoid them.

1. Using a Pressure Washer (and Too Much Water in General)

Pressure washing might seem effective, but it's risky for your bike’s internal components. Despite what you might think, bikes aren’t fully waterproof: water can easily seep into the frame, bearings, and hubs, leading to rust and premature wear.

Today, many rinse-free cleaning products like spray-on cleaners are both effective and convenient. For lightly soiled or regularly maintained bikes, they’re more than enough. For heavily muddied mountain bikes, a little water might be necessary—but always with a gentle, controlled spray.

2. Using Car Products on a Bike

Car cleaners and waxes are designed for very different materials and conditions. These products can be too aggressive, leave unwanted polish residues, or worse—contaminate your disc brakes. Even car waxes shouldn’t be applied to bike frames, as they aren’t formulated for mechanical wear or cycling-specific conditions.

3. Washing with Dish Soap

Dish soap can be a quick fix, but it’s far from ideal. It's a mild degreaser—not strong enough for a bike drivetrain—and it can dry out seals, pedals, and even the frame over time. Instead, use bike-specific products like rinse-free degreasers (e.g., Mint'N Dry) for fast and efficient cleaning.

4. Not Maintaining the Drivetrain Often Enough

One of the most common mistakes is neglecting the drivetrain (chain, cassette, jockey wheels, crankset). Waiting too long allows lubricant to dry out, harden, and trap dirt, making cleaning more difficult and accelerating wear.

Another common error: applying fresh lube over a dirty chain without degreasing first. This locks in dust, mud, and abrasive particles. Always allow degreasers and lubricants time to dry before moving on to the next step.

5. Not Shaking Maintenance Products Before Use

Many maintenance products—especially ceramic lubes or active degreasers—contain particles that settle at the bottom. Always shake the bottle well before use to ensure even application and maximum effectiveness.

6. Misusing Petroleum-Based Degreasers

Petroleum-based degreasers remain active until rinsed off with water. If used incorrectly, they can:

• Contaminate disc brakes, making them ineffective or noisy

• Damage frame paint

• Leave a residue that prevents proper lube adhesion

Instead, use no-rinse degreasers designed specifically for bicycles.

7. Contaminating Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are extremely sensitive to any type of contamination. Just one contact with oil or greasy substances (lubricants, petroleum degreasers, unsuitable cleaners) can make them noisy, ineffective, or even dangerous.

Always:

• Work away from the rotors

• Cover pads and rotors during maintenance

• Clean rotors only with pure isopropyl alcohol if needed

8. Overlubing (or Applying Lubricant Incorrectly)

It’s not how often you lube your chain that matters—it’s how much. Too much lubricant attracts dirt and dust, which speeds up chain wear.

The right way to apply lube:

• Apply one drop per chain link

• Wait 5 minutes

• Wipe off the excess with a clean cloth

• Let it dry for 10–15 minutes before riding

9. Using the Wrong Type of Lubricant

Many riders assume that all lubes are created equal—or that a thicker or more “durable” lube (like those for e-bikes) provides better protection. That’s not always true.

E-bike Lubes: Not for Everyone

Some cyclists choose e-bike lubes thinking they’re tougher or longer-lasting. But these are formulated for specific needs: high torque, constant rotation, and heavier drivetrains.

On a standard (non-electric) bike, e-bike lubes can be too thick, collect dirt faster, and even interfere with drivetrain performance. Unless you ride an e-bike, you’re better off choosing a lube suited to your riding conditions.

Understanding the Three Main Bike Lubes

Dry Lube

• For dry, dusty conditions

• Very fluid, penetrates easily, dries quickly

• Doesn’t attract grime

• Needs frequent reapplication (150–175 km)

• Not effective in wet conditions

Wet Lube

• For wet or muddy conditions

• Thicker and long-lasting

• Protects against water and rust

• Attracts dust in dry weather

• Must be wiped thoroughly after application

All-Conditions Lube

• Versatile: ideal for changing weather, long rides, gravel

• Balanced formula between durability and cleanliness

• Not specialized, but avoids switching lubes with the weather

• Intermediate lifespan (200–235 km depending on brand)

In Summary

Good bike maintenance isn’t just about water and lube. It’s about understanding the products, following the right steps, and building smart habits. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll extend your bike’s lifespan, boost its performance, and prevent costly breakdowns.