Mountain Bike Servicing Farnham

Mountain biking in and around Farnham, Surrey is popular both as a sport and as a pastime. With an abundance of routes that involve both road cycling and off road cycling the avid mountain biker is unlikely to get bored. With a few routes mapped out by private cyclists as well as the Alice Holt Forest in Farnham, which attracts cyclists from outside the county. Well known routes in Farnham such as the North Downs route, continue to be popular and are appropriate for newcomers and experienced mountain bikers alike.

Mountain Bikes anywhere

While a mountain bike is a versatile piece of kit, it can be and should be used for some road cycling. Most mountain bikers must use roads in addition to any terrain rides they decide to explore.

There are a few road routes around Farnham that are both good to ride and keep bikers in good practice for the road experience. There is an excellent route that rides just short of 9 miles from Wrecklesham to Bordon and appears in a number of online searches.

Although Farnham is a town that is steeped in History it has become a popular residential town for people that work in London. Serviced by a trainline that terminates at waterloo, residents in Farnham can enjoy town life surrounded by the downs, while still being able to access London. Because of the scenic countryside that surrounds Farnham mountain biking has become a popular pastime.

Mountain Bike Services

To the naked eye a Mountain bike may look like a simple machine, until things go wrong! Maintaining your mountain bike is likely to prevent damage in certain circumstances although damage through accidents is obviously unpredictable. The team at Spokes and Spanners can help keep your bike maintained so you can focus on enjoying your favourite cycle routes.

Mountain Bike warranties require servicing

In the same that a well-maintained car will stay on the roads for many years after its warranty has expired, the same applies to a mountain bike. The mountain bike is a vehicle and has enough moving parts to build up a plethora of problems if it is not looked after.

There are several things that you can do to maintain your bike yourself, although for the busy enthusiast, it may pay to simply hand your bike over to the professionals at Spokes and Spanners to get it done quicker and with some assurance that it has been properly maintained. Remember – your warranty may become invalid if you have neglected your bike or not maintained it according to its manufacturer guidelines. This is another really good reason to have it serviced by professionals who know what they are doing.

Servicing your Mountain Bike

There are three approaches that should be taken when servicing your mountain bike. Your bike should be inspected closely after you have taken it out, particularly if it has been an extended ride. Aside from the frequent checks after every ride, the bike should have a minor service every month and an annual service for a thorough inspection.

There are multiple things that you can do to ensure that your bike remains well maintained. We recommend you start with regular cleaning. Ideally your bike should be cleaned after every use but in reality, most people don’t have time for that, so a deep clean each month would be recommended.

Cleaning your bike will expose potential problems before they surface at an inconvenient time. Additionally, look after the wheels and tires will keep you on the road. Ensure that that they are spinning straight, are well aligned and that no spokes are twisted or broken. You should also be sure that the tyres are not cut or abraded as this could lead to the start of a slow puncture, the nest time you go out.

Brakes

You do not want to discover that your brakes have worn thin at that critical moment that you need them most. Brake pads, the cable clamps and the levers should be checked to ensure that they are tight where they need to be and lubricated and moving well where those parts dictate it too. It doesn’t take long to squeeze the brakes firmly to ensure the pads are connecting as they should.

Structural integrity

One of the most dangerous issues to arise for you while you are cycling is failure due to structural damage. Every month, set some time aside to do a thorough visual check of the overall structure of the frame, especially where the bike has been welded. Look in places that are not automatically visible such as underneath the frame tubes and areas that are hidden by the seat or rubber coverings such as on the handlebars.

Chainrings, Cogs and the chain

Without the chain, you will be able to go nowhere. Keeping the chain well serviced will extend the life of the cogs and chainrings which are the more expensive components of the whole chain driven system. Measure the chain to ensure that the links meet the manufacturers requirements in length. If not, replacing the chain will be a lot cheaper than replacing the other far more expensive parts that the chain services.

Lubrication
In the same way that you ensure that your car is well lubricated to extend its longevity, you should do the same for your bike. By checking the moving parts and ensuring the are clean and well oiled, you are less likely to find yourself stranded suddenly in the middle of nowhere, or even worse, in the middle of heavy traffic.

Tightening
Everything that should be tight, should be tightened. Nuts, bolts, screws and all fastenings have a propensity to come loose, particularly on mountain bikes. For your safety and the extended life of your bike, don’t leave this one out.

The Saddle
Your body spends a lot of time connected to your bike through the saddle. If this suddenly becomes uncomfortable or loose not only will your journey home become unpleasant, but it could become dangerous too. If your saddle is made from leather, be sure to treat it regularly to keep it weather resistant and safe from unnecessary wear.

The Suspension
Your owner’s manual will have specific instruction relating to the servicing of suspension forks on your bike. Check these instructions carefully to ensure that they are adhered to.  In any event you should check all pivot and linkage bolts to ensure that they adequately tight and will not suddenly come apart if you are riding through rough terrain.

Yearly Considerations

We provide annual servicing for busy riders and those that don’t have the time service their own bikes. As the summer comes to an end and you still want to get about on your bike in the winter, now is the time to pay your bike that extra bit of attention.

Mountain Bike servicing in Farnham, Surrey

Servicing is an essential part of your personal safety. Unavoidable accidents take place every day because minor servicing has been neglected. Spokes and Spanners provide quick solutions to the smaller problems and comprehensive solutions to the bigger ones without you having to take your bike far afield to be maintained.

Some people are simply too busy to enjoy their ride and service it too. Spokes and Spanners are there to look after your bike so that you can enjoy riding it. You won’t lose any precious time with servicing work as we can help with these jobs while you go about your normal routine. We can store your bike in our workshop until you are ready to collect it.