Peloton Maintenance: Everything You Need to Know Plus Essential Cleaning and Hardware Tips

As with any other fitness machine, regular maintenance will increase its lifespan and help it run more smoothly to give you the best performance. 

Trying to figure out where to start? Don’t worry; this article will provide all your Peloton bike maintenance tips. After reading this article, you will know how to check the hardware and have an easy-to-follow cleaning routine. 

Keep on reading to become a Peloton bike maintenance expert! 

Peloton Maintenance: An Overview

While you’re probably aware that you should take good care of your Peloton and use it correctly, you may wonder if your Peloton bike even needs maintenance. 

Unlike a regular bike, this stationary bike stays inside, away from the elements, so why would it need maintenance?

While your Peloton won’t experience anywhere near as much, or the same type of, wear and tear as an outdoor bike due to being inside, continuous usage will affect all the moving parts. It still needs regular maintenance, like cleaning and hardware inspections, to function best.

Having a regular maintenance schedule for your stationary bike will ultimately prevent costly repairs and increase its lifespan. Keep reading to find out how exactly to maintain a Peloton bike. 

How Often Should I Perform Maintenance?

Before you learn how to maintain a Peloton bike, it’s important to know how often you will need to do so.

Ideally, you should be doing some sort of maintenance after every workout as well as weekly, monthly and yearly maintenance. While this may sound like a lot, I will break it down for you. Taking care of your Peloton won’t be as hard as you think. 

Post-Workout Maintenance

There are a few things you should be doing after every workout or every second workout. (Don’t worry, it’s not a lot.) The only two things you need to do is wipe down the bike frame as well as the touchscreen. 

Sweat residue can easily build up on these components; wiping them down will keep them in tip-top shape. While I will share more details about this step later, the most important thing to know is to use two separate pieces of cloth for each job. 

Weekly Maintenance

Weekly maintenance is easy; all you’ll have to do is check on some of the hardware. First, make sure your pedals and cleats are tight. 

You should also test the resistance knob to ensure it works normally; simply press down on the knob and test how well it brakes. 

Pay special attention to how fast and how efficiently the brake works; this component can wear down, so you’ll need to know when to replace it. 

Monthly Maintenance

• Nuts and bolts: You’ll need to check all the bolts and nuts on your Peloton bike to ensure they are tight. Failing to do so may lead to safety hazards. If you find that some parts are loose, simply use an Allen key and any other recommended nuts you need to tighten them up. 
• Bike seat and handlebar: You should also make sure the handlebar and bike seat is not loose. While you’re at it, test the pedal tension to make sure all is well. 
• Check for odd sounds: While you don’t have to do this every month, you should still test the pedals, flywheel and crank arm for any odd sounds, around once every three months. 

Yearly Maintenance

It is a good idea to change your Peloton bike pedals every year. Your pedals can experience wear and tear that can eventually lead to failure. Changing your pedals will improve their performance and decrease safety hazards. 

Cleaning Your Peloton Properly

An essential part of Peloton bike maintenance is cleaning. While I have provided a brief overview of when you should clean your Peloton, this section will provide a more in-depth guide. 

If you want a quick overview of the ideal cleaning routine, check out this video by Peloton. 

Cleaning Supplies

Before cleaning your Peloton, it is a good idea to make sure you have the right supplies. The list below will describe everything you need. 

• Microfiber cloth: You should try to avoid using rags or paper towels on your Peloton bike. Using a special cloth like this will prevent scratching and other minor damages. 
• Screen cleaning cloth: You won’t be able to use just anything to clean the screen. I recommend using a microfiber cloth for the screen to prevent damaging it. You can also buy some computer screen cleaning wipes for the job. 
• All-purpose cleaner: One of the main products you’ll need is an all-purpose cleaner. To prolong the life of your Peloton bike, avoid harsh chemicals and use a gentle cleanser. Ideally, using a natural all-purpose cleaner will have the best results.
• Clorox wipes: Finally, you’ll need to have some disinfectant wipes on hand, such as Clorox wipes. This will help kill bacteria in high-touch locations (make sure they’re bleach-free, as bleach can damage the bike frame material.) 

Cleaning the Frame

As mentioned above, sweat can build up on your Peloton bike. The salt in your sweat can cause corrosive effects on the metal frame. This is why it is so important to wipe your frame every time you use the bike.

The first step to cleaning your frame is to spray some all-purpose cleaner on it. Then use a microfiber cloth and wipe the whole surface (not including the touch screen). 

Disinfecting Your Peloton Bike

A well-maintained bike is a bacteria-free bike. It is important to use disinfectant wipes on all the areas you touch often. This step is especially important if multiple people use the bike (this doesn’t mean you can skip this step if you’re the only rider!). 

The top areas you need to wipe are the handlebars, the seat, the adjustment levers and the resistance knob. Try to do this step once every few days (or weeks if you don’t use the bike often).

Cleaning the Touch Screen 

You’ll have to be a bit more careful cleaning the touch screen compared to the frame. The last thing you want to do is damage it by using the wrong product. 

There are a few ways to go about this. You can either use a screen cleaning spray or use water with your microfiber cloth. As mentioned above, you can also buy some wipes meant for electronic screens.

Before you start cleaning, turn off the screen so you can see the smudges more easily. If there are a lot of smudges, simply spray screen-cleaning spray on the surface and wipe it with a microfiber cloth. 

If you don’t want to use spray, you can wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth. For a particularly dirty screen, dampen the cloth and wipe. 

Tidying Around the Bike

This step is something many people fail to put on their Peloton maintenance schedule. You should clean the area around your Peloton bike once every few weeks. 

If you have a rubber mat under your bike, simply wipe it with a cloth. You can also vacuum the area as well, as this will help pick up dust and pet hair (to prevent it from potentially soiling or damaging your bike over time)

Checking the Peloton Hardware

While cleaning your indoor bike is essential, providing routine maintenance on the hardware will ensure smooth functioning. 

This section will review all the hardware you should check regularly. The most common components you will be checking are the pedals, resistance knob and flywheel. 

Check the Pedals

If you bike regularly, conducting regular pedal maintenance is key. Once a month, make sure to check that the pedals are running smoothly. During this inspection, take a close look to ensure they are clean and not damaged in any way.

Something else to keep in mind is that you may need to oil the pedal threads once every four months or so. (Any Teflon spray-on lubricant will work for this.)

Lubricate the Wheels and Belt

You will need to lubricate the wheel and belt every three months or so. Lubricating these parts will keep them running smoothly, reduce corrosion, increase performance and decrease the chances of damage. 

Ideally, you should inspect the wheels and belt monthly to ensure they don’t need more lubricant. 

Lubricate the Resistance Knob

The resistance knob is something you use every workout; for this reason, it is important to take care of it. Like other Peloton parts, you may need to lubricate the knob every few months to keep it smooth.

It is also important to clean the knob and inspect it regularly to ensure it doesn’t get blocked by grime or dirt. Once this happens, your bike won’t be very useful! 

Clean the Flywheel and Crank Arm

If you notice any odd sounds coming from the bike’s flywheel, it may be your sign to clean it. You can simply wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any grime or dust stuck on the surface. 

While the crank arm shouldn’t give you much trouble, keep a lookout for any possible damage. If you need to replace or tighten it, you’ll need a crank puller (a special bike tool) and an Allen wrench (8mm). 

Peloton Maintenance Tips

Now you know all the basics of maintaining your Peloton bike; however, there are a few more Peloton bike maintenance tips that you should know. 

Use a Bike Mat

If you ask any Peloton user for advice, most will tell you to get a bike mat for your Peloton bike. Bike mats will help protect your floor and prevent damage. 

The peloton bike vibrates as you ride, which can cause scratches and dents in your floor, especially if you have hardwood. The bike mat will act as a protective barrier. 

Place the Bike in a Safe Location

An easy way to maintain your Peloton bike is to place it in a safe location. Ideally, your Peloton bike should be far from areas with high foot traffic or clutter. Things like toys or even pets can damage certain parts of the bike. 

Follow Rules for Who Can Use the Bike

Anyone who uses Peloton bikes should be at least 14 years old. Many users prefer that only adults use their machines, as there are a lot of moving parts that are susceptible to damage. 

Peloton suggests supervising anyone who is not familiar with the machine and making sure it won’t be near any children. 

Utilize the Peloton Manual

When it comes to Peloton bike maintenance, the manual will be your best friend. First, the diagrams will help you understand the hardware better. Second, you’ll find a handy section called maintenance and care. 

Much like this article, the maintenance section in the manual has a handy maintenance routine to remind you what you need to check and when to check them. 

Peloton Maintenance FAQ

What Does the Red Light Mean on Peloton?

Many Peloton users get worried and search for maintenance tips when they see the red blinking light near the flywheel. 

Fortunately, you don’t need to worry if this happens. The red light (which could also look orange) simply means your Peloton is working properly; it’s the flywheel resistance sensor. 

Should You Turn Off the Peloton Bike After Every Workout?

Even though it’s not the end of the world if you forget to do this now and then, you should always turn off your Peloton bike after every workout. Doing so will help save power, maintain quality and increase longevity. 

You’ll see a red button on your bike; to power it down, simply press and hold the button for a few seconds. 

Is There Somewhere I Can Get My Peloton Serviced?

While this article has provided just about everything you need to know about Peloton maintenance, there are some issues that you just can’t fix on your own. Luckily, if you need to get your Peloton serviced, you can make an appointment with a service technician. 

To do this, all you have to do is call the member support team. They will set you up with an appointment and have someone out there to fix your bike in no time. 

Final Thoughts

When it comes to Peloton bike maintenance, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you should maintain a regular cleaning schedule. You should also inspect the hardware regularly, making sure there are no odd sounds, that all the screws are tight and that there is no damage to the equipment. 

Ultimately, your best source will be the Peloton manual, as this has all the information you need, along with diagrams and a maintenance schedule. 

Make sure to leave a comment if you enjoyed this article, and pass it along to any fellow Peloton users!