Bike maintenance/cleaning for a newbie

[sheffgirl]

I have had bikes for a couple of years, and I realised that I have no idea what basic cleaning and maintenance I need to do. I just got a new bike and I want to look after it, especially since the bike is my primary mode of transport so it needs to be reliable.
Can anyone help please?
I get a free 6 month service with my new bike, but I don't know what I should be doing in the meantime.

 

[berty bassett]

anything dirty - clean it anything moving - clean it and lube it

 

[smokeysmoo]

^ pretty much wot he said

Baby wipes are great for pretty much everything too, and a good wash down never does any harm either, (but be sure to dry it all off afterwards), but don't use pressure washers, there's simply no need and you can inadvertently damage your bearings through water ingress.

Check your tyres for any debris that might be stuck in them, if you find anything get it out, this prevents the debris causing a puncture as it works it way farther into the tyre.

Then when it comes to your chain MICKLING is every chains best friend

 

[BrianEvesham]

Baby wipes are excellent for a quick wipe down.

 

[billy1561]

Baby wipes are excellent for a quick wipe down.

Great on the bike too

 

[fossala]

I do the "mickle method" after each day. Once every 2 weeks I use carwash to wash it. I do take my chain off though, don't want silly cleaners touching that Thank god for kmc chain links.

 

[BenBlundell]

I just bought "Total Bike Repair & Maintenance" from Sainburys for £9.99. It's pretty much a huge magazine telling you everything you need to know, and has even got a DVD but I haven't got round to looking at that yet. It's in with the magazines.

 

[squeeze321]

^
Then when it comes to your chain MICKLING is every chains best friend

This is a great site you posted here smokeysmoo, thanks for posting!