Bike Service
We feel when the trails are covered in water and the ferns drip like rain. The kid in us emerges and mountain biking is much more fun. We come back from a day of mountain biking with dirt-flecked smiles and bikes that are matchy brown.
However the mountain bikes of our time don’t look so great after a hard day of pushing their way through the muddy trails. Maintaining and cleaning your mountain bikes is important, not only is it exposed to bad weather, but we also take them through some rough trails.
It’s quite amazing how this bike can still be functional after such a brutal assault and still perform with their peak performance time and.
The reality is that who would pay a hefty price every time they require their bike repaired?
If you’re committed to cycling in the mountains, then its high time you were familiar with the fundamental bike maintenance and repair tasks so that you can save money for the next time you upgrade your bike.
It’s true that there are many bike repair issues that are simple. Not all repairs can be accomplished at home, however when you give your mountain bike a bit of attention and affection it will be less likely to need trips to the mechanic and prolong the life for your ride.
Here are some tips you’ll be able to do to ensure your bike stays in good shape as well as your wallet full.
I’d like to send my gratitude for the two companies GMBN along with Park Tool for putting together an incredible amount of informative videos that anyone can learn from and profit from! It’s these videos I’ve utilized below to help explain the specific repairs that you can do yourself.
Cleaning Your Bike
Okay, the first one is simple and you might think it’s isn’t necessary to talk about. However, if you know how to clean your bike properly and correctly, you won’t have to be able to fix your bike due to.
If you don’t take care of your bike, eventually dirt will build up in every wrong spot making components wear out and break much faster than normal.
Through the simple act of cleaning, you’ll be amazed at the number of mechanical issues you can identify and fix before they turn into more serious problems with your bike.
How do you clean your mountain bicycle?
I’m going to begin by discussing what to avoid doing…
Don’t grab an ultra-high pressure washer and attempt to blast off the dirt. When you do this you run the risk that you’ll be blasting more than dirt. The use of high-pressure washers could force grease out of bearings, leading to them failing before they’re ready. In extreme situations they can cause irreparable destruction to sealings.
All you need for your bike is a gentle spray using a garden hose, to wash off any mud caked on. If your trails are dry, you may skip the hose completely and begin with the next stage…
Remove Wheels – By using the bike stand, you can suspend your bike from the ground at an appropriate height, then remove both rear and front wheels. This will allow you to gain access to those difficult to access areas of the frame while being able to easily clean the wheels.
If you don’t own a bike stand, don’t fret turn your bike upside down until it’s resting upon the handlebars and seat.
Brush off loose dirt
Use a brush to wipe away as much dirt as you can. Make use of as many different shapes and sizes as you like to reach all corners and crannies. You can even take the toothbrush out when you find yourself in the need.
I have found that in the majority of instances, dirt and dust be able to fall away easily – with the exception of mud. The hose is going to be useful If you decide to spray your bike but you don’t have to do this process.
Use Bike Wash to apply
Use an spray bottle that is old to apply the bike wash directly on your frame. In general, a mixture between warm and mountain bike-specific wash is ideal.
Clean the bike With a soft cloth or rag, clean your bike from top to the bottom. Be sure to clean all the crevices around your links, bearings and suspension. Concentrate in great detail on the chainring and derailleur since you’re trying to remove all of the gunk out of your valuable drivetrain components.
Polish The Frame This is the place where you should be careful. Polish is fantastic and it creates the WOW factor and helps the mountain bikes shine however, if you don’t apply it to your brakes before it’s game over for the brake pads. The most efficient method to apply polishing is spray it onto an unclean rag and then wipe it all over your bike. This helps to reduce unwanted spray.
Clean Your Wheels
Follow exactly the same steps like the previous one, but without the polishing step, use a brush and scrub your wheels. Be sure to provide your cassette with a good soak, then scrub it with a bristle brush that is hard before wiping it clean using an abrasive.
I usually stay away from the brake rotors. However, when you do get a little of bike wash it won’t harm the pads in the same way as polish. If you do need to clean them Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is the best option.
Clean and Lube the chain
The last step is to clean all dirt and grime off your chain as you can and it’s as simple as it’s ever. Install both wheels again and then shift into a middle gear. Utilizing a rag, push the chain backwards, and then gently rub the chain. Be sure to touch each part of the chain, and scrub it as thoroughly as you can.
The chain will get dry quite quickly, and it’s time to apply lube to it. The chain should be pushed back again and then apply the chain lube. Once you’ve given it an adequate amount then wipe off the excess using a rag, and you’re ready to go.
Certain chain cleaning products are on the market, but truthfully the rag and rubbing alcohol can do the same task at cleaning as any. Therefore, save your hard-earned money.
Inspect And Maintain Your Bike
The process of inspecting your bike should be an everyday routine every time you clean it , and prior to riding. Many of us assume that these machines are in good condition and expect them to work to their maximum potential every time.
What happens if it doesn’t work? What happens if something goes wrong as you fly through a rough descent?
The thought of it alone can be enough to make me rethink my decision to inspect my mountain bike every now and then. It should be the same for you as well.
You’ll be amazed by the things you can spot visually when you are attentive. It is likely that you will find damaged or loose components during the process of cleaning However, if there was something you didn’t notice, this is the time to take a closer look.
The best part is that these tests will take five seconds of your time.
There are numerous issues that could happen on mountain bikes however, with basic bike repair techniques will allow you to identify and pinpoint the issue.
Check Tightness Of Bolts
In time, in the harsh conditions we place our mountain bikes through it’s not uncommon for bolts and screws to become loose. It’s just the nature of physics.
There is a straightforward action we can take to minimize the chance loss of a bolt while on the trails and help to avoid a huge repair of a bike.
Make sure that screws are tight and bolts.
There is no need to inspect every screw each and every day, but a touch of common sense should be considered. But checking the major bolts, those that are most prone to being damaged will soon be a habit and are:
- Axles
- Main Pivots
- Cranks
- Rear shock mounts
- Handlebars and the headset
- Derailleur mount
- Shifter increases
While looking over the bolts of your mountain bike be careful not to over-tighten them too much. By doing this you can damage the screw’s head and cause a huge headache.
It is not necessary to use a lot of force to test the strength of the bolt. one quick pinch will suffice. If the bolt isn’t moving the way it should, then it’s not sufficient tight. If it does move in a limited quantity of pressure, you’ll have to make sure you tighten it to the right degree. The majority of screws have a recommended torque setting, which can use as a reference to tighten it.
If you spot a bolt that is loose take note of it and then ensure that you check the bolt.
This is a simple procedure that is attainable by anyone.
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