Going on a mountain bike is one of the coolest experiences out there. But having a well maintained mountain bike is essential for your safety.
It is very important to make sure that everything about your mountain bike is top notch. That is why it is very important to know the basics of mountain bike maintenance and check top ten mountain bikes under 500.
The regular maintenance of your mountain bike involves doing some basic cleaning and repair on your own as well as sending it to the repair shop every now and then. I
t is very important to learn how to maintain a mountain bike on your own because this will help you avoid unpleasant surprises on the track. It will also be easier if you could do a few things regularly in case you don’t want to send your bike to the shop after every ride.
This article serves as a mountain bike maintenance guide that offers 10 steps that can be used whenever you want to get on the track in your bike ready to explore different terrains.
It is preferable that you follow these 10 steps after every ride to have your mountain bike in top condition all the time.
You will have to start by setting the place. definitely need a well-ventilated and lit place in order to clean and have your mountain bike maintained.
You must also be aware that buying the right tools and wrenches is very important to have your mountain bike properly maintained.
1. Learn the basics of mountain bike maintenance by keeping it clean:
This is the first step of mountain bike maintenance. Start by using a water hose. Even if your bike is very dirty, a strong water hose will remove most dirt and dust easily without using any soap.
Next you can use a brush and some soapy water to clean all the moving and non-moving parts of your bike including the handles, the pedals and the chain.
Soap will clean all the oil build up and will get your bike ready for maintenance.
2. Make sure that your tyres are properly inflated:
You need professional equipment to have your tyres properly inflated. The proper pressure is a key factor in your mountain bike maintenance.
Too much pressure will make your tyres unstable on the track and poorly inflated tyres are subject to punctures and will not be safe to ride.
You need to check how much air needs to be put in the tyres by checking the numbers written on the side of the tyre. This is not something that you can do using a flimsy hand pump.
3. Make sure that your brake pads are in good shape:
Maintaining your brakes is a crucial part of your mountain bike maintenance. If you can’t see the grooves on your brakes pads then they need to be changed.
Remember that having bad brakes pads means that your brakes will not function properly. This will jeopardize your trip and might make it unsafe to ride your mountain bike.
4. Clean squeaky brakes:
Squeaky brakes are dirty brakes. You need to wash the brakes and this will probably solve the problem. You might need to wash the wheel rims as well.
Most of the time, this should solve the problem. If you still suffer from squeaky brakes then you probably need to have them fixed.
5. Make sure that your brakes are not saggy:
Saggy brakes need to be adjusted right away. You need to tighten them up by twiddling the barrel adjust that is by the brake lever.
If this doesn’t solve the problem you might need to free the brake cable and have it pulled taut then put it back in the brake nut. This is super easy to do on your own.
6. Make sure that you are storing your bike properly:
Storing your bike is another important factor of your mountain bike maintenance routine. If your bike is kept outside, then you need to make sure that it is stored in a good way.
You might need to keep it in a shed in order to keep it dry and away from the sun. Using bike covers is usually great to protect your bike against the elements.
Leaving the bike without use for a long period of time will often lead to the erosion of its different parts.
You need to take your bike for a ride every now and then as this will shake off the moisture and will keep the parts perfectly functioning and working.
7. It is very important to use lubrication:
Using the proper amount and kind of lubrication is one of the most important steps in your mountain bike repair routine. With lubrication, usually less is more.
Use a Teflon based lubrication to protect your mountain bike against humidity and moisture. Always make sure that your bike is properly cleaned before you try to lubricate it.
8. Truing your wheels is extremely important:
You always need to hold your bike upside down and spin the wheels, this is extremely important for your mountain bike maintenance.
If they wobble from side to side then your wheels probably need truing. This can be a little tricky but it is crucial for your safety on the road.
You will have to remove the tyre and the tube, and then you will have to check for dents. You will have to check for any broken spokes or those that need tweaking.
9. Make sure that your saddle is properly positioned:
The proper positioning of your saddle will ensure that you have a safe comfortable ride. You might need to raise or lower your saddle in order to get the perfect position that will suit your riding style and that will offer maximum comfort.
10. Check the lights of your bike:
It is important to remove any accessories or lights before you start cleaning and repairing your mountain bike.
After you are done with these basic repairing and maintenance tips, you need to re attach the front and rear lights to make sure that they are properly working.
It is very important to know the basic steps in mountain bike maintenance.
This will keep it in shape and ready for your next exploration adventure. Buying the right tools and equipment will get you all setup and will be enough for regular maintenance.