You’ve spent time, effort and money on finding the perfect mountain bike and probably want it to last as long as possible. You can greatly increase your bike’s lifespan by performing regular maintenance checks and servicing it when needed. While it is always best to come into the shop if something needs serious attention or repair, there are a few basic mountain bike maintenance steps you can take yourself to prevent damage and keep your bike operating at its best.
Take Care of Your Chain
The chain is an important part of your drivetrain. If it’s not operating well, you’re not going to get very far. To prevent wear and tear, take a moment after every ride to properly clean your chain and lubricate it. This will minimize the amount of dirt and debris that build-up and can cause unnecessary damage and degradation of parts. Pay special attention to your drivetrain as this will ensure your bike continues to shift and ride like new.
Watch Your Wheels
It is quick and easy to check and diagnose your wheels for problems and damage by elevating your bike and giving them a quick spin. If they wobble or rub against the brakes, they should be brought into the shop to be diagnosed and repaired properly. Riding on impaired wheels can lead to tire or rim damage and result in costly repairs or replacements.
Test Your Tires
Tires are an important part of any bike, but an especially important aspect of mountain bikes. Due to the various terrains you can encounter on a single ride, mountain bike tires must be kept in good condition and checked regularly.
You should make it a part of your routine to check your tire pressure before every ride and familiarize yourself with the type of terrain you will be riding to adjust your PSI accordingly. Riding with improper tire pressure can cause long-term damage to both your tires and rims which again, can lead to costly repairs or replacements.
Inspect your Suspension
Take a look at the o-rings on your suspension. They should be maxing out toward the end of your travel but not totally at the end. If the o-ring has blown off the back of your rear shock or is crammed up at the top of your fork, it needs more air. Continuing to ride at this level may be damaging your suspension components and will result in mountain bike suspension repairs. Also, check for excessive oil residue. Excessive oil may indicate worn seals which requires mountain bike suspension service.
Regular mountain bike maintenance can not only prevent wear and tear but is essential for your safety and allows you to get the most out of your rides. At Base Camp Cyclery, we offer mountain bike repairs and tune-up packages that are designed to keep your bike running smoothly and prevent damage. Schedule a service online, via phone call, or stop by the shop!