| Taking care of your full suspension or hardtail | | | | 8. |
| mountain bike can be very simple and it will also help | | | | After you put each wheel back on the bike spin |
| increase its mechanical life. Below is a maintenance | | | | them to make sure the wheels are true and also that |
| guide that should be considered after every ride in | | | | they do not rub on the brake components. If the |
| order to help you keep your mountain bike | | | | wheels are not true and or rubbing on the brake |
| mechanically sound. Once you perform this | | | | components make the necessary adjustments. |
| maintenance plan and become familiar with the | | | | 9. |
| process it should take you no more then 20 minutes | | | | After your chain is back in place turn the pedals to |
| to complete. Let’s get started: | | | | check the drive train. Make sure the bike pedals |
| Steps: | | | | smooth. If you hear any strange noises coming from |
| | | | your wheel bearings investigate further. |
| 1. | | | | 10. |
| Remove all of the accessories (lights, bells, etc) on | | | | Turn your bike over so it is right side up and wash |
| the top of the handlebars. | | | | the top. Do not forget to dry the bike thoroughly. |
| 2. | | | | 11. |
| Turn the bike upside down so you can remove the | | | | Test your front and rear brakes and make any |
| wheels and inspect the drive train. | | | | necessary adjustments. |
| 3. | | | | 12. |
| Carefully remove the front and rear wheels to give | | | | If applicable inspect your front and rear shocks. Make |
| you more room to work on the bike. | | | | sure they are in good working order. |
| 4. | | | | 13. |
| Clean the drive train (derailleurs, chain, and crank) | | | | Thoroughly lubricate you drive train (chain, cassettes, |
| with a brush and soapy water. Also use a wet soapy | | | | crank and derailleur) with the recommended oil. Apply |
| rag on the chain and rear derailleur. Try to do your | | | | oil while moving the pedals in both directions to make |
| best to clean all moving parts. | | | | sure the components are appropriately lubed. |
| 5. | | | | 14. |
| After you clean your bike parts make sure you dry | | | | Finally reattach any of the accessories that you |
| them thoroughly with a towel so they do not rust. | | | | removed in step one. |
| 6. | | | | The steps listed above will help you keep your bike in |
| Wash the underside, frame and front fork, of the | | | | good working order and also help you prepare for |
| bike and make sure all moving parts are free of | | | | your next ride. If any mechanical malfunction is |
| debris. | | | | noticed during the process make sure it is addressed. |
| 7. | | | | Your local bike shop, which sells mountain bikes for |
| Wash your front and rear wheels by cleaning the rim, | | | | sale and bike parts, will be able to help replace a |
| spokes and cassette. Then put the wheels back on | | | | component if additional help is needed. |
| the bike. | | | | |