- Joined
- Nov 14, 2005
- Messages
- 11,135
Its winter. Bleek, wet, cold winter. I miss my mountain bike. The weather here this season has offered little freeze, but plenty of cold, slushy mud. So, that makes mountain biking not an option. The damage bikes do to wet trails is very time consuming to fix. Id rather spend the season riding, and not fixing what was messed up by trying to ride in these conditions. Any responsible mountain biker volunteers his time to at least some trail maintnance. Many of us also support the IMBA to keep these trails good, and create more trail systems to enjoy.
So that said, it leaves plenty of off season time to fix broken componants or upgrade ones, and to perform maintnance to hit the trails rolling as soon as the trails allow. Which, here, should only be a month or so away... Id thought id go through how I get everything squared away for the season.
Bike Maintnance
Bike maintnance doesnt need to be a headache. However, if you are "all thumbs" go get it done by a pro, or at least your average joe who is well versed in this skill.
The first thing you should do is wash your bike. I like to use a bucket with some mild degreaser and warm water. Clean everything. Wipe it all down, and degrease every componant. As you do it, check for any broken parts, or parts that look worn. Brake pads, chain, cracks in the frame etc...
Then spin the wheels, lokking to see that they spin true, with no up or down/side to side movement. Next, I remove the wheelset. Inspect the tires for wear, holes, etc. Then deflate the tubes(if you didnt do this when you hung up your steed for the winter) Remove the tires/tube. Check the inside of the tire for any problems. Clean it. Pitch the old tubes, or throw em on a nail in the garage for use to make "ranger bands"(recycle!)...Next move on to the wheel. Wash it. Check for bent/loose spokes, cassete, or freewheel(for us badass singlespeeders
) for missing teeth, or bad bearings. Check the hubs, make sure they spin well, with no "crunch" to the bearings. Look at the hoops. Check for cracks or dents. Next look at the Quick Release, or Axle. Make sure the axle threas are clean and in good shape. Make sure the axle nuts are not rounded off, and the threads are in good shape. If you have quick releases, check the cam, and make sure its in good working order. Repeat process for other wheel. If they have loose or broken spokes, fix em. If you have any damaged components, replace them. After the wheelset is true, and cleaned, and mechanically sound, I put in brand new tubes. First coat the tube with Talcum powder, or baby powder. This reduces friction, and helps with getting a pinch flat. Re install the tires, or new tires if needed, and air up the tire to your prefered psi. They are now good to go.
Check your crankset and chain. I replace chains every 2 years, or whenever they brake. Thoroughly degrease, and clean the chain and inspect the links. Look at the chain rings on the crankset. Check for bent or broken teeth. Fix as needed. I then remove the crankset. Check the crank bolts for wear, and clean them. Look at the cranks. Check the mounting holes for any wear, and clean em. Check the torque and condition of the bottom bracket cups. I then apply teflon tape to the crankset bolts. This in my experiance helps them to remain seated, and eliminates any squeaks. Reinstall the cranks. Tight. Look at the pedals for damage, adjust the clips(if ya got em)if needed, and tighten up as needed.
I then remount the wheelset and install the chain. I use Rock and Roll brand lube on the chain. Then if you have gears, check the operation, lubrication of the derailuers Front and rear. Make sure you can cycle through the gears efficiantly. After they are all lined out......
Check the brake cables and housings. I like to replace the cables and housings every other season, or if needed. Check for cracks in the housings from dry rot, and for bent frayed cables. Remove and replace if needed. Ckeck to make sure the brake levers are in good working order/not bent, and that their position hasnt slipped. Replace and adjust as needed. Check the brake pads for wear, and replace if needed. Adjust and set up your new cables, or just adjust the old ones. Check and make sure that the pads are in the proper position, and contact the rim well. Check brake system operation, and make sure they stop well. I dont have disc brakes yet, so I have no idea how to adjust them, or check fluids in hydrolics. Maybe someone here with experiance can chime in.
Check the headset, stem and handlebars for damage, or loosening. Replace as needed, and adjust as needed. Check your seat. If your like me you go through alot of seats, on the quest for the perfect fit, just like knives.
So its probably new, or in good working order. Replace if ya want. Adjust the fit of the saddle to your prefered location if its loosened or shifted a bit. Check the seatpost tube clamp or quick release for damage and tightness. Replace as needed. Lube the cam if you have a QR. Retighten.
Suspension. Ive never owned a full suspension bike. But Have had many with a front suspension fork. Check it for damage, and degrease the forks. Adjust and relubricate as needed.
Now your bike is(should be) ready to rock.:thumbup:
Hows your kit???
continued below.....
So that said, it leaves plenty of off season time to fix broken componants or upgrade ones, and to perform maintnance to hit the trails rolling as soon as the trails allow. Which, here, should only be a month or so away... Id thought id go through how I get everything squared away for the season.
Bike Maintnance
Bike maintnance doesnt need to be a headache. However, if you are "all thumbs" go get it done by a pro, or at least your average joe who is well versed in this skill.
The first thing you should do is wash your bike. I like to use a bucket with some mild degreaser and warm water. Clean everything. Wipe it all down, and degrease every componant. As you do it, check for any broken parts, or parts that look worn. Brake pads, chain, cracks in the frame etc...
Then spin the wheels, lokking to see that they spin true, with no up or down/side to side movement. Next, I remove the wheelset. Inspect the tires for wear, holes, etc. Then deflate the tubes(if you didnt do this when you hung up your steed for the winter) Remove the tires/tube. Check the inside of the tire for any problems. Clean it. Pitch the old tubes, or throw em on a nail in the garage for use to make "ranger bands"(recycle!)...Next move on to the wheel. Wash it. Check for bent/loose spokes, cassete, or freewheel(for us badass singlespeeders
) for missing teeth, or bad bearings. Check the hubs, make sure they spin well, with no "crunch" to the bearings. Look at the hoops. Check for cracks or dents. Next look at the Quick Release, or Axle. Make sure the axle threas are clean and in good shape. Make sure the axle nuts are not rounded off, and the threads are in good shape. If you have quick releases, check the cam, and make sure its in good working order. Repeat process for other wheel. If they have loose or broken spokes, fix em. If you have any damaged components, replace them. After the wheelset is true, and cleaned, and mechanically sound, I put in brand new tubes. First coat the tube with Talcum powder, or baby powder. This reduces friction, and helps with getting a pinch flat. Re install the tires, or new tires if needed, and air up the tire to your prefered psi. They are now good to go. Check your crankset and chain. I replace chains every 2 years, or whenever they brake. Thoroughly degrease, and clean the chain and inspect the links. Look at the chain rings on the crankset. Check for bent or broken teeth. Fix as needed. I then remove the crankset. Check the crank bolts for wear, and clean them. Look at the cranks. Check the mounting holes for any wear, and clean em. Check the torque and condition of the bottom bracket cups. I then apply teflon tape to the crankset bolts. This in my experiance helps them to remain seated, and eliminates any squeaks. Reinstall the cranks. Tight. Look at the pedals for damage, adjust the clips(if ya got em)if needed, and tighten up as needed.
I then remount the wheelset and install the chain. I use Rock and Roll brand lube on the chain. Then if you have gears, check the operation, lubrication of the derailuers Front and rear. Make sure you can cycle through the gears efficiantly. After they are all lined out......
Check the brake cables and housings. I like to replace the cables and housings every other season, or if needed. Check for cracks in the housings from dry rot, and for bent frayed cables. Remove and replace if needed. Ckeck to make sure the brake levers are in good working order/not bent, and that their position hasnt slipped. Replace and adjust as needed. Check the brake pads for wear, and replace if needed. Adjust and set up your new cables, or just adjust the old ones. Check and make sure that the pads are in the proper position, and contact the rim well. Check brake system operation, and make sure they stop well. I dont have disc brakes yet, so I have no idea how to adjust them, or check fluids in hydrolics. Maybe someone here with experiance can chime in.
Check the headset, stem and handlebars for damage, or loosening. Replace as needed, and adjust as needed. Check your seat. If your like me you go through alot of seats, on the quest for the perfect fit, just like knives.
So its probably new, or in good working order. Replace if ya want. Adjust the fit of the saddle to your prefered location if its loosened or shifted a bit. Check the seatpost tube clamp or quick release for damage and tightness. Replace as needed. Lube the cam if you have a QR. Retighten.Suspension. Ive never owned a full suspension bike. But Have had many with a front suspension fork. Check it for damage, and degrease the forks. Adjust and relubricate as needed.
Now your bike is(should be) ready to rock.:thumbup:
Hows your kit???
continued below.....
Last edited:
nice and tacky...