If you’re a mountain bike enthusiast it’s a benefit to be able to do your own mountain bike maintenance as it will save you money and improve your riding experience.
If you are confident in the knowledge that you can repair any breakdowns you can go further for longer, and you’ll be less likely to have breakdowns if you’ve maintained your bike well.
Performing your own mountain bike maintenance rather than paying someone else to do it for you will save you money and your parts will last longer as they need replacing less frequently.
If you’re going to perform your own maintenance one of the most important things to think about first is getting the right basic tools. As time goes on and you learn more about your bike and maintenance you’ll probably need more specialist tools.
It’s important to carry a tool kit with you when you ride, the compact kits you can get are the best as they are lightweight and small. Don’t forget to test all your tools before you take them out on a ride with you.
Prior to thinking about tools even, the most basic maintenance to perform on your mountain bike is to clean it regularly and this doesn’t require any tools.
Get into the habit of cleaning your bike after every ride, either by wiping it down or washing it with a bucket of hot water and soap. Don’t forget to rinse it down or wipe it afterwards as this will stop dirt getting into parts it shouldn’t and help to maintain them!
The next step in basic mountain bike maintenance includes occasionally lubricating the chain. This is essential to keep it functioning properly and there are lots of good lubricants available, including some self-cleaning ones. If you need to apply lubricant to the chain, do it the night before you ride and not just beforehand so that it has chance to work into the chain properly.
Another important basic thing to check is the air pressure in your tyres as this will protect them and give you a better ride. An important part of a maintenance routine is to change the tyres now and then, and also make sure you can change a puncture.
Some of the next items to add onto your list of maintenance checks are the brake and gear cables, which stretch over time and become less effective. They should be replaced every 6 - 9 months, depending on how often you ride.
Another vital maintenance issue to remember, for your safety as well, is to check your brake pads regularly as they get worn quickly. Check the position of the brake pads against the wheel rims, which should rest squarely on the rim when the brakes are on. When they’re not applied they be clear of the sidewall of the tyre.
Lastly look at all the nuts and bolts on your mountain bike as part of your maintenance routine and use an Allen key or a spanner to tighten any loose ones.
Remember breakdowns will always happen, even to the best riders and the most expensive bikes, it’s just the nature of the activity, but it’s better to be prepared and be able to deal with incidents or prevent them where possible with good maintenance.
Be pro-active in your approach to mountain bike maintenance and look after your bike. Remember maintenance is usually better and cheaper than repair, and armed with a little knowledge you can ride harder for longer.
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