As a keen cyclist, you will no doubt have invested a good deal of time and money into researching and purchasing the perfect bike for you. Buying a great bike is not the only investment you need to make to ensure years of trouble free cycling are ahead of you.
Regular maintenance and plenty of TLC are vital to ensure that your bike is always safe and road ready. Whether you choose to tinker with your bike at home, or send it out to a professional for a good going over, taking care of your mountain bike is an essential part of enjoying safe and awe-inspiring bike rides.
In this blog, we talk about some of the most important aspects of bike maintenance and how to ensure that you are safe on the road at all times. Regular maintenance can also help to avoid any nasty surprises when it comes to repairs later down the line.
1. Keep Your Bike Clean
A clean bike, is a safe bike! Sure, we all get them messed up as we hurtle headlong down maintain trails; but giving your mountain bike a good spruce up helps to prevent damage caused by rust, water damage or a buildup of mud and brambles.
Using a gentle cleaning solution and a sponge and small brush, you should be able to work out most of the dirt in the comfort of your own garage. Be sure to clean all the moveable parts including the frame, the chain, the chain rings, the cassettes, the bike seat and the derailleur. Wash off any residual using a good amount of clean water. Now is also a great time to add a little bit of extra grease to any parts that might welcome it.
2. Inspect Your Tyres
Mountain bike tyres are specifically designed to grip the ground, allowing the rider to cover a huge variety of rough and diverse surfaces. They also help you to achieve a softer impact on bumps giving you a comfortable but exhilarating ride throughout. The tyres are an important part of any mountain bike ride, so it is essential that they are in great condition every time you ride.
Checking your tyre pressure should be a regular occurrence for all riders. They should be just right every time you set out on a ride. You should also check for ruptures, cuts or holes in the tyre walls, and replace tyres as and when the tread becomes worn.
Not looking after your tyres can lead to a multitude of problems including, a poor ride, slow punctures and even tyres bursting which can be very dangerous if you are travelling at speed.
3. Lubricate All Movable Parts
Your pedals, chain, chaining, derailleur and the cassette for the back wheel all function better when they are well lubricated. Not having enough lubrication on your bike for all of the parts to move well can lead to a tough ride and can even be dangerous as your bike will not function as you expect it to. Regular lubrication can also help to extend the life of these components, saving you time and money in the longer term.
A well lubricated bike is efficient and allows for effortless braking and speed shifting. Always be sure to remove any excess oil or grease to prevent stains or slippy parts where you don’t need them.
4. Look After Your Cables
On mountain bikes, the cables will usually link the several shifters found on handlebars with the brakes, the derailleur and the brake pads. These cables are therefore an important component of your bike, and damage can lead to an unreliable breaking system which is definitely not a good idea for any rider. Your bike needs to be able to shift gear and brake easily every time.
You can visually inspect the cables for rust, wear and tear and damage. Cables will usually need replacing every 12-18 months. Cable replacement can be quite tricky, so it is recommended that you visit an expert bike technician to undertake the work for you.
5. Visit Spokes and Spanners
Finally, to ensure that your bike is really well looked after and safe for every ride, you should drop it into your local bike experts so they can service your precious mountain bike.
Here at Spokes and Spanners, our bike-mad technicians can help look after your mountain bike and make sure it is in perfect working order at all times. From regular health checks, through to full maintenance and repair, our Farnborough based workshop can help.
Call us today on 01252 540 555 to find out how Damon, Dean and the team can help you enjoy trouble free riding for longer.