How to Maintain a Mountain Bike
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can EditHere is some advice to help you keep your mountain bike in peak condition - it is a good idea to try to follow these steps after every ride. The article covers the whole bike from saddle to brakes, to help you methodically follow through the checks. The whole process should take about 35 - 40 minutes, once you are familiar with it.
Steps
- Remove accessories on the
top of the handlebar. This includes the lights, bell, etc. If your
bike has V brakes, release the brake [cables]. [Starting with the front
brake], push the two brake calipers into the rim of the wheel to release
the tension from the cable. Then lift the brake cable up out of the
retaining clip and repeat with the rear brake cable.
- Turn the bike upside-down.
To protect your grips and saddle, lay out an old towel or something
similar on the ground (or fork out the hundred bucks or so for a repair
stand). Standing beside your bike, lean over it and grip the frame with
your hands - one hand on the down tube at the front and the other hand on
the seat post at the rear of the frame. Then lift up the bike and turn it
over.
- Alternate method:
Hang the bike from the saddle. To protect the underside of your
saddle, pad the tree branch, rafter, etc. Hanging the bike right-side-up
is a better method as the chain sits in a specific location due to
gravity pulling it down.
- Another Alternate
Method: String it up. Hang the bike from a balcony by stringing rope
around the handle bars, up to the balcony, and down around the seat stay.
- Remove the wheels.
Open the quick release lever on the front wheel axle and lift the wheel
out. Remove the rear wheel - open the quick release and, as you lift up
the wheel, ease the rear cassette housing out of the dérailleur mechanism
(the part with the two cogs).
- Clean the drive system.
Using the brush and some soapy water, start by cleaning the rear
derailleur, working the brush into all the moving parts.
- Turn the pedals to
move the chain round and, holding a wet soapy rag around the chain on the
rear derailleur, give it a good wash down.
- Use the brush with
plenty of water to clean the chain ring (the front cog where the pedals
attach). Then give it a wipe down with a dry cloth.
- Taking a wet rag, wash
the pedals and then wash the cranks (the bars that hold the pedals on).
- Finally, clean the
front gear mechanism, working the rag into all the moving parts to clean
them thoroughly.
- Wash the underside. Start
by washing the front forks with a rag and soapy water, wiping them dry
with a cloth as you go. In the same way, clean the centre and rear of the
frame.
- Wash the handlebars
with a soapy rag, paying particular attention to the brake lever and gear
assembly.
- Using a damp rag, wash
the top tube or crossbar, making sure to clean under the brake and gear
cables that run down its length.
- Finally, clean the
underside of the saddle.
- Wash and remount the
wheels. Take a wet rag and start by cleaning the rims of the front
wheel. Give the spokes a wash-down and clean the axle. If you have a disk
brake system, use a degreaser, such as muck off or white lightning to
clean the discs.
- Drop the front wheel
back into the forks and tighten the quick release - not too tight, not
too loose. When you have tightened the lever to the correct pressure, the
quick release will leave a mark on your palm for a few seconds. If you
need to adjust the tension of the quick release, turn the nut on the far
side of the axle clockwise to tighten it, or anticlockwise for less
tension.
- Take the rear wheel
and clean the rims, spokes, axle and rear disk rotor if you have one, as
you did with the front wheel.
- Clean the gear
cassette on the rear wheel carefully. Use the lever end of the bike brush
to remove any stones between the teeth, then work the brush into the
cogs, using plenty of soapy water. This will remove any build-up of
lubricant or dirt.
- Drop the rear wheel
back into the frame, easing the gear cassette back into the derailleur
assembly. Tighten the quick release.
- Check the wheels. Spin
each wheel, making sure it turns freely and that you can see that its
straight (true). As the wheel rotates, hold your fingers against the rims,
to feel if there are any dents or knocks on either side.
- If you have disc
brakes, also check both sides of the rotors on each wheel for true. Make
sure it looks smooth and straight. Do not touch the rotor.
- If you have V brakes,
watch the wheel while its spinning, to make sure that the brake blocks do
not make contact with the rims.
- Check the spokes by
turning the front wheel slowly and letting your hand fall over each spoke
as the wheel rotates. Every spoke should feel taut but if one feels
sloppy, it will need tightening.
- While the bike is
still upside down, check the tire pressure and that both tires are in
good condition. If you find any major damage, replace the tire before
your next ride.
- Check the drive system.
Check both pedals by spinning them, making sure that they turn freely and
that there is no noise or grinding from worn bearings. If there is, youll
need to replace the bottom bracket.
- Turn a pedal to rotate
the crank and listen out for any noise or signs of wear from the bottom
bracket (the assembly that holds the cranks and chain ring in place). If
you find any, it will need further maintenance.
- Check the front gear
mechanism. Turn the pedal and move the chain up and down the gears using
the gear lever. Youre looking and listening for signs of snagging, which
happen when the mechanism is misaligned and needs adjusting. Do a similar
check with the rear derailleur and gear cogs.
- Wash the topside of bike.
Stand by your bike and grab the frame with both hands as you did before to
turn your bike back up the right way. Then lean the bike against a wall.
- Using a clean rag and
soapy water, wash the handlebars and the headset (the part where the
handlebars meet the frame). Take care to clean well around the brake and
gear levers. Wash the tops of the forks on the front wheel and, if you
have front shocks, give the seals a good wipe down.
- Moving to the centre
of the bike, clean the down tube and the top tube or crossbar.
- Open the quick release
to remove the saddle. Wash the saddle tube and the seat post on the
frame, then remount the saddle, tighten the quick release and give the
saddle a wipe over.
- Finally, clean the
seat stays (the two tubes that join the seat post to the rear axle) and
wash around the bottom bracket.
- Check the brakes. Test
your brakes by standing in front of your bike, holding the handlebars.
Apply the front brake and pull the bike towards you. The front wheel
should not move at all and if you continue to pull, the rear wheel should
lift up off the ground; otherwise, the brake will need adjusting.
- Do the same test with
the back brake. When the brake is applied, the rear wheel shouldnt turn
round and if you keep pulling, it should skid. If not, the rear brake
will need adjusting.
- Also, look at the
brake levers - the brakes should start to grip at about 1/3 pull. The
levers should not touch the handlebars. If they do, your brakes need
adjusting.
- If you have disc
brakes, check that they are in good condition by standing in front of the
bike and looking down inside the disk brake caliper (the bit that fits
around the brake rotor). Apply the front brake and you should see both
brake pads move across equally to clamp the rotor. If they dont, this
indicates a problem. Repeat the above test with the rear disk brake,
standing where you can see down into the rear caliper.
- If you have V brakes,
check the brake blocks for signs of wear. They should be free of graphite
build-up, and the grooves in the pad should be deep; otherwise, theyll
need replacing.
- With V brakes, also
check both brake cables for signs of wear or fraying. Start at the brake
levers on the handlebars. Follow the cables along the top tube, then
check the other end of both cables where they meet the brake calipers. If
you find any signs of wear or fraying in your brake cables, they will
need replacing.
- Check the headset.
Stand beside your bike, and holding the headset with your left hand, apply
the front brake with your right hand and rock the bike back and forth.
Make sure you cannot feel any slack or hear any knocking in the headset.
If you can, your headset will need adjusting.
- Lubricate the drive
system. Place some rags over the rear wheel rims underneath the
derailleur, to catch any oil drips.
- Rotate the pedal
anticlockwise to move the chain around. Holding the spray lubricant
vertically, spray the chain for a few seconds as it passes over the rear
gear cogs.
- Moving the chain with
the pedal, spray the teeth on the inside of the chain ring near the
cranks. Rotate the pedal again and finally, lube the outside of the chain
ring in the same way.
- Check the lights. Now
reattach the lights and any other accessories you took off. Turn the front
light on, making sure the light is bright, then do the same check with the
back light.
Tips
- Attach a bike tool kit on
your bike for every time you ride - it could save you a whole lot of time
and frustration. Items should include: A bike specific multi-tool, an
extra tube (store in an old sock to use the sock to work on your bike to
keep your hands clean), tire levers, and a CO2 inflater if you dont have a
pump.
- To fix any problems with your
wheels, you need specialist equipment, so visit your local bike shop for
professional maintenance.
- Try using a leaf blower on
low setting (if available) in conjunction with a dry cloth to remove
excess water after cleaning your bike, making sure your bike is secure
before attempting this method.
Warnings
- If you ride your bike with a
misaligned gear mechanism or derailleur, the chain can easily jump off the
cogs.
- Never let your brake pads
wear down to the point where they scrape the rims.
- Dont ride with dim lights -
replace the batteries if necessary.
- Using water on many of the
parts listed above is likely to cause rust.
Things You Will Need
- 1 bike-mounted tool bag
- 1 tyre (tire) lever set
- 2 replacement inner tubes
- 1 puncture kit
- 1 chain splitter
- few spare chain links
- 1 folding Allen wrench and
screwdriver set
- 1 spoke adjuster
- 1 shock pump
- 1 spray bike lubricant
- 1 bucket of warm soapy water
- 1 combination bike brush
- 1 wet rag
- 1 dry cloth
Related wikiHows
- How to Fix a Broken Bicycle Chain
- How to Remove Bicycle Handlebar
Grips
- How to Fix a Loose Bicycle Chain
- How to Unwobble a Bicycle Rim
- How to Lube a Bicycle Chain
- How to Build a Bicycle Cargo Trailer
Sources and Citations
- VideoJug
A video detailing mountain bike maintenance. Source of some information on
this page. Shared with permission.
- Alternate method:
Hang the bike from the saddle. To protect the underside of your
saddle, pad the tree branch, rafter, etc. Hanging the bike right-side-up
is a better method as the chain sits in a specific location due to
gravity pulling it down.
- Another Alternate
Method: String it up. Hang the bike from a balcony by stringing rope
around the handle bars, up to the balcony, and down around the seat stay.
- Turn the pedals to
move the chain round and, holding a wet soapy rag around the chain on the
rear derailleur, give it a good wash down.
- Use the brush with
plenty of water to clean the chain ring (the front cog where the pedals
attach). Then give it a wipe down with a dry cloth.
- Taking a wet rag, wash
the pedals and then wash the cranks (the bars that hold the pedals on).
- Finally, clean the
front gear mechanism, working the rag into all the moving parts to clean
them thoroughly.
- Wash the handlebars
with a soapy rag, paying particular attention to the brake lever and gear
assembly.
- Using a damp rag, wash
the top tube or crossbar, making sure to clean under the brake and gear
cables that run down its length.
- Finally, clean the
underside of the saddle.
- Drop the front wheel
back into the forks and tighten the quick release - not too tight, not
too loose. When you have tightened the lever to the correct pressure, the
quick release will leave a mark on your palm for a few seconds. If you
need to adjust the tension of the quick release, turn the nut on the far
side of the axle clockwise to tighten it, or anticlockwise for less
tension.
- Take the rear wheel
and clean the rims, spokes, axle and rear disk rotor if you have one, as
you did with the front wheel.
- Clean the gear
cassette on the rear wheel carefully. Use the lever end of the bike brush
to remove any stones between the teeth, then work the brush into the
cogs, using plenty of soapy water. This will remove any build-up of
lubricant or dirt.
- Drop the rear wheel
back into the frame, easing the gear cassette back into the derailleur
assembly. Tighten the quick release.
- If you have disc
brakes, also check both sides of the rotors on each wheel for true. Make
sure it looks smooth and straight. Do not touch the rotor.
- If you have V brakes,
watch the wheel while its spinning, to make sure that the brake blocks do
not make contact with the rims.
- Check the spokes by
turning the front wheel slowly and letting your hand fall over each spoke
as the wheel rotates. Every spoke should feel taut but if one feels
sloppy, it will need tightening.
- While the bike is
still upside down, check the tire pressure and that both tires are in
good condition. If you find any major damage, replace the tire before
your next ride.
- Turn a pedal to rotate
the crank and listen out for any noise or signs of wear from the bottom
bracket (the assembly that holds the cranks and chain ring in place). If
you find any, it will need further maintenance.
- Check the front gear
mechanism. Turn the pedal and move the chain up and down the gears using
the gear lever. Youre looking and listening for signs of snagging, which
happen when the mechanism is misaligned and needs adjusting. Do a similar
check with the rear derailleur and gear cogs.
- Using a clean rag and
soapy water, wash the handlebars and the headset (the part where the
handlebars meet the frame). Take care to clean well around the brake and
gear levers. Wash the tops of the forks on the front wheel and, if you
have front shocks, give the seals a good wipe down.
- Moving to the centre
of the bike, clean the down tube and the top tube or crossbar.
- Open the quick release
to remove the saddle. Wash the saddle tube and the seat post on the
frame, then remount the saddle, tighten the quick release and give the
saddle a wipe over.
- Finally, clean the
seat stays (the two tubes that join the seat post to the rear axle) and
wash around the bottom bracket.
- Do the same test with
the back brake. When the brake is applied, the rear wheel shouldnt turn
round and if you keep pulling, it should skid. If not, the rear brake
will need adjusting.
- Also, look at the
brake levers - the brakes should start to grip at about 1/3 pull. The
levers should not touch the handlebars. If they do, your brakes need
adjusting.
- If you have disc
brakes, check that they are in good condition by standing in front of the
bike and looking down inside the disk brake caliper (the bit that fits
around the brake rotor). Apply the front brake and you should see both
brake pads move across equally to clamp the rotor. If they dont, this
indicates a problem. Repeat the above test with the rear disk brake,
standing where you can see down into the rear caliper.
- If you have V brakes,
check the brake blocks for signs of wear. They should be free of graphite
build-up, and the grooves in the pad should be deep; otherwise, theyll
need replacing.
- With V brakes, also
check both brake cables for signs of wear or fraying. Start at the brake
levers on the handlebars. Follow the cables along the top tube, then
check the other end of both cables where they meet the brake calipers. If
you find any signs of wear or fraying in your brake cables, they will
need replacing.
- Rotate the pedal
anticlockwise to move the chain around. Holding the spray lubricant
vertically, spray the chain for a few seconds as it passes over the rear
gear cogs.
- Moving the chain with
the pedal, spray the teeth on the inside of the chain ring near the
cranks. Rotate the pedal again and finally, lube the outside of the chain
ring in the same way.
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original wikiHow article on How to Maintain a
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