Those who love to ride on challenging mountain terrains know that they get the most pleasure when their bicycle is properly maintained. Everything from the wheels to the brakes should be in top form at all times. When you keep up with your mountain bike maintenance, you only have to worry about enjoying yourself while you're on the trails.
Cleanliness is more important than some people realize. Trail conditions can range from dusty to downright muddy, and when mud and dust get into your chain and gears, problems will arise. Rinse it off or wipe it down as best as you can right away, and give it a more thorough cleaning later with water, an appropriate soap, and a towel.
Something else everyone should know how to do is change a flat tire. For starters, pumping it with air will help you learn why it went flat in the first place. Once it's full, you'll be able to see if it became flat from disuse, if there is a leak from the valve stem, or if there's an actual puncture.
The valve stem might only need tightening, and that is best performed with the proper tool. If the problem is due to a puncture, the tube will need to be repaired or replaced. In that case, you must loosen the nuts that hold the tire in place, and remove the tire. Use a tire iron meant for bikes and slide it in to release the tire from the rim.
Hold the tube down in water and you will see the remaining air bubbling through the puncture hole. If the hole is small, it can be repaired. Follow the instructions on the repair kit, and the tire is fixed. When you put it back into place, make sure you've aligned the brake pads correctly.
Repairing a flat and cleaning are two maintenance needs, but there are many more. It could be that the chain must be replaced at some point, or the wheels may be out of true. More needs include replacement of spokes that are broken, adjusting the brakes, and more.
Fortunately, it's easy to find information about mountain bike maintenance. There are plenty of books and manuals that will be specific to your model, and the Internet is filled with tips and instructions. Make sure your equipment is in good condition, and you'll be able to have an enjoyable ride every time you head to the mountains.
Cleanliness is more important than some people realize. Trail conditions can range from dusty to downright muddy, and when mud and dust get into your chain and gears, problems will arise. Rinse it off or wipe it down as best as you can right away, and give it a more thorough cleaning later with water, an appropriate soap, and a towel.
Something else everyone should know how to do is change a flat tire. For starters, pumping it with air will help you learn why it went flat in the first place. Once it's full, you'll be able to see if it became flat from disuse, if there is a leak from the valve stem, or if there's an actual puncture.
The valve stem might only need tightening, and that is best performed with the proper tool. If the problem is due to a puncture, the tube will need to be repaired or replaced. In that case, you must loosen the nuts that hold the tire in place, and remove the tire. Use a tire iron meant for bikes and slide it in to release the tire from the rim.
Hold the tube down in water and you will see the remaining air bubbling through the puncture hole. If the hole is small, it can be repaired. Follow the instructions on the repair kit, and the tire is fixed. When you put it back into place, make sure you've aligned the brake pads correctly.
Repairing a flat and cleaning are two maintenance needs, but there are many more. It could be that the chain must be replaced at some point, or the wheels may be out of true. More needs include replacement of spokes that are broken, adjusting the brakes, and more.
Fortunately, it's easy to find information about mountain bike maintenance. There are plenty of books and manuals that will be specific to your model, and the Internet is filled with tips and instructions. Make sure your equipment is in good condition, and you'll be able to have an enjoyable ride every time you head to the mountains.
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