Tips for maintaining your mountain bike
The best way to enjoy your mountain bike and take increasingly demanding routes is to maintain it well.
There are certain care items that are the same for all bikes, but there are others that we should place more emphasis on depending on the characteristics. Therefore, today we are going to talk about the basic care that you should have with your Mountain bike, to get the most out of it and make going out riding safe.
Keep your bike clean
After each ride it is important to remove dust from the suspension bars and the telescopic post. If the seals are in good condition, they will prevent particles from getting inside. It is simple, fast, and helps extend the life of these elements. If you want to carry out more exhaustive care, there are special products to hydrate retainers after cleaning.
On the other hand, it is important to keep the transmission and chain as clean as possible, as this increases their effectiveness and usability time. If grease, dirt or dust accumulates on them, you must use specific degreasing products.
And, if you want to do a more general cleaning, using a hose with enough pressure you can remove mud, dust and dirt. One place where you can do this washing is at service stations with car wash points, but be especially careful with the areas of the bottom bracket, wheel axles and suspensions. You can also use the shower at home, in this case opt for hot water, as it will dissolve the grease better.
Finally, after cleaning the bike, it is essential to dry it well and lubricate the necessary points: chain, seat post retainer and moving points. To lubricate the chain, rotate the cranks while applying the oil. It is also advisable to grease the headset when you release it to clean it, or the bottom bracket and the hub bearings.
Check screws and tightening
Checking that the screws are properly tightened is important to enjoy the route safely. You should check all the screws: steering, handlebars and stem, swingarm, cranks, discs, calipers, brake levers and those on the wheel axles.
Check the pressure and wear of your tires
We are all aware of the importance of tires being in good condition. Since, wheels with the appropriate pressure and blocks in good condition will offer you the necessary grip in curves or complicated areas, essential for rolling safely.
Regarding tire pressure, you should take into account what route you are going to do to know what pressure is best for you. In this article We explain how to get the right pressure for your bike wheels.
On the other hand, tubeless is a great tool for sealing punctures during the route, but over time the liquid loses properties, so you will have to refill the wheels more or less every 3 months, taking into account the frequency with which you use your Mountain bike. If you are not yet using tubeless, you should also check your used tubes and place patches where you find air leaks.
Make sure cables, covers and radios are in good condition
Cleaning the cables and covers is also important. To do this, you will have to remove the cables from their covers and blow to clean the housing. If you do not have pressurized air, replace the cable. And, finally, applying a few drops of lubricant will help soften the friction.
Bleed the brakes and monitor brake pad wear
The brake oil system also requires maintenance, we tell you everything you need to know in this article.
And finally, it is essential that you monitor the wear of the brake pads. If there is less than 1mm left you will have to buy new ones.
It may seem like a lot of steps, but they are simple and implementing them will not take you long. If you mountain bike is electric, in this article We tell you how to properly maintain and care for its elements, since there are clear differences with the traditional mountain bike.
Without a doubt, safety when riding is the most important thing, and after checking that your bike is in perfect condition, the only thing left to do is enjoy!!
