Mountain Bike Maintenance

Maintaining your mountain bike is easy and anyone can do it . Knowing how your bike works can save you money and a long walk out of the woods.

Invest in your own set of basic tools, if you are interested in maintaining your bike on a regular basis. Here is a list of tools that every home mechanic should have. Check at a bike shop for pre-assembled tool kits or for some of these specialized bicycle tools.

1. Metric wrenches
a. Open end type-sizes 17, 16,15,14,10, 9, 8 mm
b. Allen wrenches-sizes 6, 5, 4 mm
2. Chain rivet tool
3. Small slothead screwdriver
4. Tire levers
5. Pair of standard pliers
6. Tube patch kitWith a set like this you can do all necessary basic repairs.

Keep It Clean

The first rule of bicycle maintenance is keep it clean. A dirty bike is an unhealthy bike. Mountain bikes get especially dirty and demand special attention. After a dirty ride, wipe your bike down with a damp cloth. If the dirt or mud is thick DO NOT take your bike to the local car wash for the high pressure hose. A dousing like this could remove the grease from your bearings and freeze up the internal parts. If you have to use a hose, avoid spraying directly at the areas where bearings are located and use a very low pressure stream of water. Chains should be periodically removed and cleaned in a solvent. (see"Chain Repair" to remove and replace chain.) Relubricate your chain with a Teflon or silicone-based lubricant. Be sure to wipe off excess lubricant.