Mountain Bike Maintenance

The Basics…

If you’re a mountain bike owner it’s a big help to be able to perform your ownmountain bike maintenance, as it will increase your enjoyment of riding andsave you money.If you know you can repair any breakdowns you will feel more confident goingon 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 becauseyou won’t have to pay a mechanic to maintain it for you and parts will lastlonger and need replacing less frequently.The first important thing to do if you’re going to perform your ownmaintenance is to get yourself the right basic tools. Over time you’ll probablyget more specialist tools as you’ll learn more about your bike and it’s parts.You should also carry a tool kit with you when you ride and you can getcomplete basic tool kits to carry with you that are more compact than theregular tools you might use at home. Remember to test all tools at homebefore you take them out with you.Before you think about getting tools the most basic maintenance you shouldcarry out on your mountain bike doesn’t require any tools, it just requires thatyou regularly keep it clean.Get into the habit of cleaning your bike after every ride, either by wiping itdown or washing it with a bucket of hot water and soap. Make sure you rinseit or wipe it down afterwards and this will prevent any dirt getting into places itshouldn’t get into and help to keep all the moving parts moving!The next step in basic mountain bike maintenance includes occasionallylubricating the chain. This is essential to keep it functioning properly and thereare lots of good lubricants available, including some self-cleaning ones. Getinto the habit of applying any lubricant the night before you ride so that itworks into the chain properly.Another important basic thing to check is the air pressure in your tyres as thiswill protect them and give you a better ride. You should also change the tyresoccasionally as part of your maintenance routine, and make sure you know