If you're a mountain bike owner its a big help to be able to perform your own mountain bike maintenance, as it will increase your enjoyment of riding and save you money.
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 things to do if plan to maintain your own bike is to get the right basic tools. As you learn about your bike and its parts you'll probably need to get more specific tools for it.
When you go out on rides you should always take a tool kit with you, either a compact tool kit that you can get that is lightweight and small to carry, or a multitool. Check all tools at home before you rely on them out on trail.
Before rushing out to buy any tools, one of the most important elements of basic mountain bike maintenance is keeping your bike clean.
After every ride make sure you wash or wipe your bike down, using hot water and soap, and then rinse it with clean water or wipe it down with a wet cloth to help prevent dirt and grit getting into parts.
Another basic requirement of mountain bike maintenance is lubricating the chain from time to time. This is important to make sure it works properly and efficiently. When you apply the lubricant do it a few hours before you ride, not ten minutes before, as it needs time to work into the chain properly.
You will also need to check the air pressure in your tyres as part of your maintenance routine, as this will make your ride more comfortable and protect the tyres for longer. Then you will need to change the tyres occasionally, depending on how often you ride, and make sure you can repair a puncture.
The next elements to remember to check as part of your regular maintenance routine are brake and gear cables. These can stretch over time and won't work as well, so they also need to be replaced every 6 months or so, depending on often they are used.
Another very important maintenance issue to think about is to check your brake pads regularly as they wear out fast and obviously they are imperative for your safety. Check the alignment of the brake pad against the wheel rims, as they should sit squarely on the rim when the brakes are applied. When not applied they should be free of the sidewall of the tyre.
Lastly on your basic maintenance list check all the nuts and bolts on your bike and tighten any loose ones with an Allen key or a spanner.
Breakdowns will happen regardless of the maintenance you perform, but some can be prevented, and it is better to be able deal with them and stop them when possible with regular bike maintenance routines.
Look after your bike with regular maintenance and it will look after you. If you are proactive in your approach you can prevent some breakdowns, although not all as they are an inevitable part of mountain biking.
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 things to do if plan to maintain your own bike is to get the right basic tools. As you learn about your bike and its parts you'll probably need to get more specific tools for it.
When you go out on rides you should always take a tool kit with you, either a compact tool kit that you can get that is lightweight and small to carry, or a multitool. Check all tools at home before you rely on them out on trail.
Before rushing out to buy any tools, one of the most important elements of basic mountain bike maintenance is keeping your bike clean.
After every ride make sure you wash or wipe your bike down, using hot water and soap, and then rinse it with clean water or wipe it down with a wet cloth to help prevent dirt and grit getting into parts.
Another basic requirement of mountain bike maintenance is lubricating the chain from time to time. This is important to make sure it works properly and efficiently. When you apply the lubricant do it a few hours before you ride, not ten minutes before, as it needs time to work into the chain properly.
You will also need to check the air pressure in your tyres as part of your maintenance routine, as this will make your ride more comfortable and protect the tyres for longer. Then you will need to change the tyres occasionally, depending on how often you ride, and make sure you can repair a puncture.
The next elements to remember to check as part of your regular maintenance routine are brake and gear cables. These can stretch over time and won't work as well, so they also need to be replaced every 6 months or so, depending on often they are used.
Another very important maintenance issue to think about is to check your brake pads regularly as they wear out fast and obviously they are imperative for your safety. Check the alignment of the brake pad against the wheel rims, as they should sit squarely on the rim when the brakes are applied. When not applied they should be free of the sidewall of the tyre.
Lastly on your basic maintenance list check all the nuts and bolts on your bike and tighten any loose ones with an Allen key or a spanner.
Breakdowns will happen regardless of the maintenance you perform, but some can be prevented, and it is better to be able deal with them and stop them when possible with regular bike maintenance routines.
Look after your bike with regular maintenance and it will look after you. If you are proactive in your approach you can prevent some breakdowns, although not all as they are an inevitable part of mountain biking.
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Get further advice on basic mountain bike maintenance or read about advanced mountain bike maintenance, bike parts and tools.
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