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.