Cleaning
Booda Bike bicycle cleaning
Section titled “Booda Bike bicycle cleaning”On Booda Bike bicycles do not use a pressure washer, aggressive degreaser, chain oil on the belt, or abrasive tools on painted surfaces. Do not spray cleaner directly into brake calipers, hubs, bottom bracket, headset, lights, or electrical connectors.
Be careful with the following areas when washing:
- Eccentric bottom bracket
- Headset
- Seatpost and seatpost clamp
- Front hub
- Rear hub and internally geared hub
Belt maintenance:
One of the biggest advantages of Gates Carbon Drive belts is that they require almost no upkeep compared to traditional chains. There is no need for lubricating oil, they do not collect dirt, and they will not stain your pants either. Minimal maintenance consists of just three simple steps:
1. Cleaning (If muddy or dusty)
Section titled “1. Cleaning (If muddy or dusty)”If the belt or the sprockets become clogged with mud, sand, or fine dust, it can cause a creaking sound and accelerate wear.
How to do it: Simply wash it off with clean water (a standard garden hose is perfect, but avoid using a pressure washer due to the bearings).
In case of stubborn dirt: Scrub the teeth of the belt and the gaps between the sprockets with a soft brush or sponge and mild soapy water/dish soap, then rinse.
2. Conditioning (If squeaking or dry)
Section titled “2. Conditioning (If squeaking or dry)”On dry, dusty, or winter-salted roads, the belt may begin to make a faint, squeaking or groaning sound. This is not a defect; it is simply caused by the dryness of the rubber and polyurethane.
The solution: Spray the toothed (inner) side of the belt with silicone spray (or a specific belt care product like Gates Belt Care). Silicone repels water and dirt, and eliminates the noise instantly. Never use chain oil, grease, or WD-40, as they will ruin the belt and attract dirt!
In such cases, use a silicone spray specifically designed for Gates belts to ensure quiet operation.
3. Checking tension and alignment
Section titled “3. Checking tension and alignment”Proper tension is the soul of the belt. If it is too loose, it can skip over the teeth (which damages the carbon fibers); if it is too tight, it wears down the bearings of the hub or the bottom bracket.
Checking:
Attention: We do not recommend using the Gates app for measurement because it can be inaccurate. It measures the frequency of the plucked belt through the microphone. We only recommend the official Gates UT Spring Tension Tester for precise belt tension measurement.
Alignment: After changing or adjusting the wheel, make sure that the wheel is completely straight and the belt does not run misaligned. If it constantly rubs against the flange of the sprocket, its edge will wear out prematurely.
