| If you have purchased a mountain bike, it is | | | | you are looking to get into shape are the wheels and |
| important that you know and understand what you | | | | the brakes, there are some other things that you |
| should do in order to be able to tune up your | | | | might need to do. In order to check the wheels and |
| mountain bike parts. | | | | brakes, simply apply the front brakes as you roll the |
| Some of the parts that you specifically will want to | | | | bike forwards and backwards. There should not be |
| know how to tune up likely will include: | | | | much play when this occurs, if there is, you may |
| • The chain and chain ring - A large portion of | | | | want to tighten the headset after loosening the bolts. |
| tuning up these parts is simply done by keeping an | | | | Checking the hubs should be fairly simple. All you |
| eye on them. The bike chain, for example, needs to | | | | need to do is push the front wheel hard enough to |
| have grease on it to function properly. If you feel a | | | | make it spin around two or three times. As long as |
| little more friction than usual when you are riding your | | | | the wheel spins freely, you are in good shape. Pay |
| bike, perhaps it would be a good idea to just check | | | | careful attention to make sure that there is no lateral |
| on it. | | | | movement of the wheel as it spins. |
| If the chain simply needs to be adjusted, and not | | | | • General parts - If you are speaking in general |
| replaced, this can be easily done. This is done by | | | | terms about how to keep your mountain bike tuned |
| tightly pulling on the chain and then counting 20 links. | | | | up, you should start at the front of the bike and |
| Then, take a ruler and measure the distance from pin | | | | tighten any of the bolts that have come loose. A lot |
| to pin. If the measurement ends up being longer than | | | | of riding can make these bolts come loose through |
| 10 inches, then it is probably a good idea to replace | | | | time. Also check places like the bottle cage and the |
| the chain. If shorter, everything is fine. | | | | chain ring bolts. |
| If the chain is the right length, all you need to do is | | | | Lubrication is important. One of the things that you |
| simply clean it to help restore it. Cleaning the chain | | | | should probably do is place a very light coat of |
| can be done by simply using some sort of a citrus | | | | grease on the bike's saddle rails. Also, you will |
| solvent and an old toothbrush. Scrub and lubricate as | | | | probably be better off if you lubricate the front |
| much as you feel you need to. | | | | suspension fork sliders. As you do this, take a |
| To tune up the chain rings, look for any bent teeth. | | | | moment to clean out any of the grit that might be |
| If some teeth are bent, usually an adjustable wrench | | | | lodged next to the seal. |
| can do the job to straighten and realign these teeth. | | | | Doing these things will help keep your mountain bike |
| • Wheels and brakes - If the mountain bike parts | | | | parts operational and in good shape. |