Bike care: How to keep your mountain bike rollin’

Your mountain bike is your baby and you would like to take it out for a ride as long as possible? Then you are exactly right here! We show you what to look out for when taking care of your bike. If you follow these tips, your bike will not only shine each time you explore new trails and mountains but will also be more fun to ride, as important elements such as chain, gear system, and suspension work more smoothly. 

 

Clean and lubricate the chain

You should pay special attention to your chain, as it otherwise rusts quickly and worsens the gear shifting of your bike. If you were riding on muddy trails, you should first clean your chain with a cloth and then use chain oil or dry lubricant (for example wax) to lubricate it again. Dirt between the chain links can be easily removed with a small toothbrush. Even if your chain is clean after the bike tour, you should make sure that your lubricating film is preserved. Regular caretaking is therefore important. Do not forget to wipe off the excess oil afterward. 

 

 

Clean your bike properly

Not only for the chain, but also for the rest of your mountain bike it is important to keep dirt and mud away. Wipe off rough dirt with a dry cloth and use some water or an oil-free cleaner for the more stubborn one. For chainring and cassette, you can carefully use large brushes. 

Warning: Keep your hands off the high-pressure cleaner! Due to the high pressure, water can get into the bottom bracket and seals and cause great damage. Also, the lubrication is washed away from the chain, switch, and hubs.

 

Maintain suspension

The suspension elements – fork and damper – must also be kept clean. If dirt gets in, they no longer function properly and become stiff. Even if the parts are protected appropriately, mud should not stick to it for days! Again, remove rough dirt with a dry cloth and add some water if needed. Then clean the legs and dust rings with a soft cloth. In order for the suspension to work properly, you regularly spray a little bit of oil on the tubes.

 

Clean gearing system and cables

Not to forget are gearing system and cables. As with the suspension elements, they work smoother when kept clean. You should especially make sure that the pulleys on the cage are clean. Just turn the crank back slowly and remove the dirt. Afterward, use some oil to get the bearing running smoothly again.

 

 

If your mountain bike has exposed cables, you also need to make sure that no dirt gets in the casings. Otherwise, switching becomes heavier. For cleaning it is best to hook up the cables first. To do so, you need to release the tension by first switching to a high gear and then back to a lower one. The cables are then best rubbed off with an oily cloth.

 

Check brakes regularly

For your own safety, you should check your brakes and brake pads regularly. The brakes should work smoothly and the braking distance should, of course, be as short as possible. You can also easily check the wear of your brake pads: Just remove the wheels and take a look at the brake pad. It should protrude at least 1mm from the plate. It is important to always replace both brake pads together – even if one pad is worn out more than the other.

 

Check tire pressure

Before going on a ride you should always check if your tires have the desired pressure. Simply use a bike pump with a pressure gauge or if you already have a good feeling for it simply use your hand to check. If there is too little air in your tire, riding is more strenuous, and you get a flat tire more easily because the puncture protection decreases. Also, the grip of your tires is dependent on the right pressure.

 

 

Grease seat post

To prevent water from getting into the seat post and to prevent ugly scratches, you should occasionally grease the seat post of your mountain bike. To do so, pull out the seat post and clean it – on the outside as well as on the inside – and then put some grease on it. 

Important: This only applies to bikes with aluminum posts, you should never grease carbon posts!

 

Check screws

To ensure your own safety, regularly check important screws on the stem and on the breaks of your bike. It is best to use a torque wrench. Adjust it to the specified torque and then tighten the screws until the wrench clicks.

 

Optional: All-round expert service

If you want to treat your bike once again to an all-round service before the start of the season or if you are unsure about important things such as the brakes, you can also bring your bike to us. Generally, it is advisable to do such a service once a year. Our experts will get your bike shipshape in no time! You can use our bike service at any time in our stores in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Penzberg, and Wielenbach. For more information visit our Bike Service page. 

 

 

You can’t get enough of biking? Find more interesting blogposts here:

→ Training for cyclists with BLACKROLL®

→ Biking helmets and glasses: What is there to know?

→ GAP Pub Bike Ride: Garmisch-Partenkirchen’s Mountain Bike Community