Whether we are talking about your own mountain bike or a mountain bike for kids, one thing is certain – these bikes can get seriously dirty! When cycling up and down mountain trails, bikes can quickly get covered in dirt, grime, water, sand, and mud and as such, regular cleaning is a must.
How to Get the Most from Your Mountain Bike
A mountain bike can provide you with hours of fun and thrills but if you want to get the most from this fantastic piece of kit, you really do need to look after it. Howeverboring it might seem, cleaning your bike after every use will prolong its life and ensure it is running efficiently every time you use it.
The experts at Woom say that getting into the habit of cleaning your bike will keep the parts working efficiently and will mean you don’t have to replace it prematurely. This is something that you should teach children from a young age, too.
How to Clean Your Mountain Bike Properly
After using your bike, you need to get rid of the dirt and mud by washing it. However tempting it might be, avoid getting the power hose out and blasting the dirt off your bike.This could cause damage by moving certain parts out of alignment or removing vital lubricant.
Instead, use some clean cloths or rags and a bucket of warm soapy water to lather the bike. But before you use the water, it may be easier to remove any lumps of dirt with a soft brush. You can buy special brushes designed to get into the hard-to-reach spaces of your bike.
Use a cloth to wash the bike frame and wheels down and then use a dry rag to buff it up. While you are doing this, you can inspect your bike for any damage that may have occurred during your last ride.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance Checks
As well as cleaning your bike after every ride, you should also complete some regular checks to maintain the bike and ensure it is performing at optimum levels every time.
Before you take the bike out, check the tire pressure. You should always be cycling with the tires fully inflated to be sure of a comfortable ride. Plus, it is far better to change a tire before you head out than to have to change it mid cycle.
Checking the brakes is also a good idea, especially if you are going to be cycling downhill. The best way to do this is to ride around your neighborhood and check them by pumping the brakes gently as you ride. Check the brake pads to ensure they are not worn, especially if the brakes feel soft. You might notice that the brakes feel slightly loose. If so, it could be that there is a small air bubble in the reservoir. Pumping the brakes may help to work it free, otherwise you may need to bleed them.
You should also give your pedals a quick once over to make sure they are not stiff or have any chips in them. If there is any built up dirt in the pedals it could cause them to be stiff, which could cause your feet to get stuck.
The drive system should be lubricated regularly too. When doing this, make sure to place old cloths or rags under the bike to prevent any oil drips from staining the ground below. The pedal should be rotated anticlockwise as you spray the lubricant over the chain.
Finally, check the lights to ensure they are in working order.
