Why Proper Lubrication Is Crucial In Mountain Bike Maintenance
More and more people are getting into mountain biking. Very few people, though, properly maintain their bikes. One of the most important aspects of mountain bike maintenance is lubrication. Keeping your bike's moving parts well-lubricated will help keep your bike in top shape for a long time. Failing to keep your bike properly lubed will lead to a shortened lifespan for your bike and its parts.
The most basic advice to heed when it comes to keeping your bike lubed, is that if there's a moving part, it needs to be lubricated. There are some parts which are best left to the experts. It's unlikely that you'll want to pull the bearings out of your headset or from inside the front crankshaft or hubs, but there are plenty of parts which are easy to access and which appreciate a regular and thorough lubing.
When purchasing lube for your bike, it's advised to buy a product specifically designed for bikes. They're perfectly formulated for the specific needs of bicycles. These lubricants typically come in drip or spray dispensers.
Now take a look at your mountain bike's derailleurs. If you're having trouble with shifting gears, then there's a good chance your derailleurs need some lubrication. In case you don't know, the derailleur is the part that moves the chain from gear to gear. Wherever there's a movable point on the derailleur, apply lubricant. This includes the little adjustment barrel. Some lube there will keep it from rusting and making it impossible to adjust.
Turn your bike upside down, move the pedals and shift gears. Wherever you see the derailleur moving and exposing sections, add some lubricant. Don't overdo it, though. Wipe up any excess drips.
Another important place to apply lube is the chain. A well-lubricated chain will last a long time and it will shift from gear to gear easier. Either turn the bike upside down or mount it on a rack if you have one, and slowly crank the pedals. As the chain cycles around, apply lubricant by either spraying it or dripping it on. Wipe off any lubricant which accidentally lands on the frame or anywhere else.
The pedals can also use a regular application of lubricant. Of course you don't want to put any on the pedal grips unless you have cartoon capers in mind, but you do want to apply some to where they attach to the cranks.
It may surprise you to hear that the brakes require lubrication. You don't want to get any grease on the brake shoes, though! Keep the lube away from the rims, too. Where you do want to apply lubricant is on the pivot points where the brakes move. Wherever there's a moving joint or metal on metal, you want to apply lubricant. The brake levers themselves can use some lube, too. Again, you'll want to apply it on the pivot points on the levers and not the lever itself.
A well-lubricated mountain bike will last longer than one that's neglected. It'll ride nicer, too. Remember to regularly lubricate the parts you can easily access and talk to your local bike shop about further mountain bike maintenance.
Mountain Bike Cable Maintenance
Making sure that you check your brake and gear cables on your mountain bike on a regular basis is very important. Worn out or dirty cables can seriously affect braking and also shifting. If they are only dirty you can clean them, but if they are worn or starting to fray then they should be replaced!Inspecting Mountain Bike CablesThe first thing to do is take a look at the housing. Look for any kind of kinks or damage. Next take a look at the cable you can see and check for signs of fraying or damage. If you can see that either the cable or housing is damaged it really needs to be replaced.Cleaning CablesIf grinding can be felt or heard when applying the brakes, or you are experiencing trouble shifting, it's probably time to clean the cables on your bike. First remove the housing and cable from the bike. Undo the cable clamp with an allen key and remove the cable end cap with pliers. Be careful! If the end of the cable gets frayed or misshapen it will be hard to put the cable back in. You may need a new one in that case.Keep track of all the bits so you remember how to put it back together. Using an old rag give the cable a good wipe down. If there is a lot of dirt and grime you can use a bit of de-greaser. Once that's done, check the cable stops because they can really hold in the dirt. Squirt some light lubricant in the housing to clean out the grime.Lubricating CablesAfter you have completely cleaned the cable you should re-lubricate it. Make sure to avoid using heavy-duty chain lubricants as these can clog things up quickly. Use a dry, wax based lubricant and an old rag to rub it into the cable until it's smooth.After putting everything back together be sure to apply the brakes and shift up and down through the gears to make sure everything is working well.For more information on Mountain Bikes and all the Mountain Biking Accessories you need, visit http://www.singletrackbikes.co.uk.
The Basics of Mountain Bike Maintenance
If you own a mountain bike it's a huge help to perform your own mountain bike maintenance as it will cost you less and improve your enjoyment of riding.
If you know you can repair any breakdowns you will feel more confident going on longer, more remote trails but you’ll be less likely to have breakdowns if you’ve maintained your bike properly.
Doing your own mountain bike maintenance will save you money because you won’t have to pay a mechanic to maintain it for you and parts will last longer and need replacing less frequently.
One of the first important things to think about if you're planning on performing your own maintenance is getting the right tools. As you learn more about your bike and its parts you'll probably pick up more specialist tools.
It's important to carry a tool kit with you when you ride, the compact kits you can get are the best as they are lightweight and small. Remember to test all tools at home before you take them out with you.
Before even thinking about tools though, the most basic maintenance to carry out on your mountain bike doesn’t require any tools, it just requires that you regularly keep it clean.
Get into the habit of cleaning your bike after every ride, either by wiping it down or washing it with a bucket of hot water and soap. Be sure to rinse it off afterwards or wipe it down with a wet cloth as this will prevent dirt getting into places it shouldn't get into, and help to maintain all the parts!
Another basic item in your mountain bike maintenance agenda is lubricating the chain occasionally. This is essential to keep it functioning properly and there are lots of good lubricants available, including some self-cleaning ones. Get into the habit of applying any lubricant the night before you ride so that it works into the chain properly.
Another vital but basic factor to check is the air pressure in the tyres, which protects them and offers you a more comfortable ride. As part of your maintenance routine you should also change the tyres occasionally and be sure you know how to repair a puncture.
Some of the next items to add onto your list of maintenance checks are the brake and gear cables, which stretch over time and become less effective. They should be replaced every 6 - 9 months, depending on how often you ride.
Another vital maintenance issue to remember, for your safety as well, is to check your brake pads regularly as they get worn quickly. Inspect the allignment of the brake pad against the wheel rims, remember when the brakes are apllied they should sit squarely on the rim. When not applied they should be free of the sidewall of the tyre.
As a final part of your maintenance routine inspect all the nuts and bolts on your bike and if you find any loose ones make sure to tighten them with an Allen key or a spanner.
Don't forget breakdowns often happen, even to the most experienced riders and the best bikes, that's part of the sport and it's better to be prepared to deal with breakdowns or prevent them when possible through good maintenance.
Be pro-active in your approach to mountain bike maintenance and look after your bike. Just think maintenance is better than repair and with a little maintenance knowledge you can ride further and harder for longer.