| Mountain bike maintenance can become an obstacle | | | | tires. It also prevents frequent tube problems. |
| course, if you don't have some basic skills. | | | | Gear cables tend to stretch over time, which makes |
| Owning a mountain bike - whether you are a serious | | | | gear shifting less effective. Gear and brake cables |
| rider or simply enjoy it as a sport - is an investment | | | | should be checked regularly, and replaced more often |
| in time and money. Protect that investment by | | | | than most people realize. New ones should be put in |
| learning a few tricks of the trade as far as mountain | | | | every six to nine months as part of general mountain |
| bike maintenance is concerned. | | | | bike maintenance, and the cable housing should be |
| The first important thing in mountain bike | | | | replaced at the same time. |
| maintenance is very simple: keep your bike clean! | | | | Another item on you mountain bike maintenance list, |
| Wipe off excess dirt once a week, using a dry cloth | | | | is your brake pads. These wear extremely fast. You |
| or a damp soapy sponge. During wet weather, or | | | | need to check the alignment of the brake pads |
| with frequent use, it is a good idea to wash your | | | | against the rims. They should sit squarely on the rim |
| bike after every ride. If you don't do this, you will | | | | when the brakes are applied. |
| find that there are a lot of sticky stuff out there | | | | When relaxed, they should be clear of the sidewall of |
| that may become unwelcome, permanent fixtures. | | | | your tire as it turns. Replace the brake pads when |
| Another regular habit you need to adopt as part of | | | | they get to the wear line. Allowing them to go onto |
| mountain bike maintenance, is degreasing the chain | | | | the metal casing, will damage your rims. |
| and drivetrain. How often you do this depends on | | | | Check all the nuts and bolts in your monthly mountain |
| how often you ride. It should be done once a month | | | | bike maintenance routine. Invest in an Allen key or |
| at least, and up to two or three times per month if | | | | spanner and tighten the loose bolts, such as crank |
| you ride on a regular basis. | | | | bolts, seatpost bolts, and headset locknuts. |
| Lubrication of the chain is essential. There are many | | | | Lastly, one simple way to look after your bike is to |
| excellent lubricants on the market. Choose one that | | | | keep it under cover, preferably indoors. Don't expose |
| suits your needs. Keep in mind that newer lubricants | | | | it to the elements any more than necessary. |
| such as White Lightning are self-cleaning, which | | | | Be careful when using a bike cover outside. These |
| minimizes mountain bike maintenance. | | | | tend to trap moisture between the cover and the |
| It is best to apply lubricant the night before you ride. | | | | ground, and will cause the steel parts on your bike to |
| Doing it ten minutes before, prevents it from getting | | | | corrode more rapidly, giving cause for more mountain |
| into the chain properly. | | | | bike maintenance than you ever had in mind! |
| As part of mountain bike maintenance, it is vital to | | | | Take good care of your bike and it will take good |
| maintain the correct air pressure in the tires. Taking | | | | care of you! |
| care of this small detail will protect your expensive | | | | For more information visit Best-Mountain-Biking. |