Clean: A Quick Wash Guide With Tom Couzens
Ten minutes is all it takes.
It's officially that time of year when you finish every ride with your bike looking like it's been through a mud bath. Ribble Ambassador Tom Couzens shows you how to get it spotless in just 10 minutes.
Winter riding means dirty bikes. Every single ride. The difference between those who keep riding through January and those who don't often comes down to one thing: how quickly you can clean your bike and get it ready for the next outing.
Tom's 10-minute routine isn't about perfectionism. It's about removing the friction that stops you riding again tomorrow.
The seven-step system
Tom's approach is built on efficiency. Let the chemicals do the work while you tackle the next step.
1. The initial rinse
Give the bike a quick hose down to knock off loose grit and mud accumulated during the ride. This removes the surface layer and makes the cleaning products more effective.2. Apply cleaner
Spray the entire bike with a dedicated bike cleaner. Tom uses Monkey Juice Gel Bike Cleaner, which "helps to penetrate microscopic holes within the dirt, helping to lift them away from the surface" rather than just pushing it around.3. Wait
Let the cleaner sit for a few minutes to break down the grime. This passive step saves active scrubbing time later. Don't rush it.4. Degrease
While the bike cleaner works, spray the drivetrain with a degreaser. Target the chain, cassette, and derailleur. "A good degreaser will do most of the legwork here," Tom explains. Let it sit alongside the bike cleaner.5. Agitate
Now the hands-on work begins. Use a clean sponge and bucket of water to scrub the frame and stubborn grime. Switch to a separate stiff brush for the drivetrain components. The separate tools matter: soft sponge for the frame to avoid scratches, stiff brush for greasy mechanical parts.6. Final rinse
Rinse the entire bike with fresh, clean water to remove soap and loosened dirt. Make sure you've cleared all the cleaner from bearings and moving parts.7. Finish
Quickly dry the bike and re-lube the chain. Your bike is now ready for tomorrow's ride.What you'll need
Tom's setup is deliberately simple. No pressure washer, no expensive workshop stand, just the basics:
- A garden hose for rinsing
- Bike cleaner (Tom uses Monkey Juice Gel Bike Cleaner)
- Spray degreaser for mechanical parts
- A bucket of water
- A large soft sponge for the frame
- A stiff-bristled brush for the drivetrain
- Chain lube for the final step
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Why 10 minutes matters
"It's officially that time of year when you finish every ride with your bike looking a little like this," Tom says, gesturing to his mud-caked machine. Because it happens so frequently through winter, the cleaning process needs to be fast to be sustainable.
A dirty bike isn't just aesthetically unpleasant. It wears components faster, shifts poorly, and creates psychological resistance to your next ride.
Ten minutes immediately post-ride prevents long-term damage and ensures your equipment is always ready for the next adventure.
This routine removes the friction of having a dirty bike, keeping motivation high even during the season.
FAQ's
How often should I clean my bike in winter?
After any wet or salty ride, give it a quick rinse and wipe so grime and road salt do not start eating into parts. If you are riding most days, plan a deeper wash weekly, then re-lube so the drivetrain stays smooth right through winter.
Can I use a pressure washer on my bike?
No. High pressure water can drive grit into bearings and strip grease, which leads to premature wear, so use a low-pressure hose or buckets instead. Keep cleaners off disc pads and rotors and use a disc-brake-specific cleaner if they need attention.
What chain lube should I use after a winter wash?
Pick a winter or wet lube that lasts in grim conditions, apply to a dry chain and wipe away any excess so it runs quiet without attracting dirt. Degrease before reapplying and keep lubricant away from brake parts for silent, reliable stopping.
