Noob maintenance thread...

[RavenShield]

Hi guys and girls, i am getting my first mtb soon and wondering what maintenance sould be done on it?

Like after every ride a wash i asume as this is not road cycling where the bike stays mostly clean. What soap to use? I use Prepsol on my motorcycle, is that good for mtb as well?

Any periodic maintenance that needs to be done on front and rear suspention?

Any do's and dont's i should know about?

[Cassie]

Welcome!

 

For starters: enjoy riding your bike....don't worry too much about maintenance at this stage...

 

wash when dirty!

 

Lube the drive train often...

 

Google on this site and you'll find a treasure of information....youtube also have some great tut movie clips.

[Cav']

I use prepsol, works like a charm on a very dirty bike

[rouxtjie]

Start by googling how to change a tyre and repair a tube / fix a tubeless hole...fix a broken or stiff chain and doing general "trail side" repairs and adjustments. These are skills that you will need when riding and doing races. Don't assume you know how to do it, practise it once or twice. First thing you should learn is adding SRAM "quick link" to you chain, this will allow you to add and remove it at will.

 

In terms of washing, stay away from pivots and bearings(wheels...headset etc) when using a high pressure hose. Wash with car shampoo and brush set...not sunlight dish soap and only use clean green for the chain in a seperate container and then rinse off seperately. Fit chain and lube.

 

Tools you should look into when starting out...proper set of tyre levers, chain whip, cassette lockring remover/wrench, allen key set, torx set, rubber mallet and 15mm pedal wrench.

 

Enjoy

[scotty]

Don't do it. MTB'ing is an addictive dirty habit.

[Slowbee]

Start by googling how to change a tyre and repair a tube / fix a tubeless hole...fix a broken or stiff chain and doing general "trail side" repairs and adjustments. These are skills that you will need when riding and doing races. Don't assume you know how to do it, practise it once or twice. First thing you should learn is adding SRAM "quick link" to you chain, this will allow you to add and remove it at will.

 

In terms of washing, stay away from pivots and bearings(wheels...headset etc) when using a high pressure hose. Wash with car shampoo and brush set...not sunlight dish soap and only use clean green for the chain in a seperate container and then rinse off seperately. Fit chain and lube.

 

Tools you should look into when starting out...proper set of tyre levers, chain whip, cassette lockring remover/wrench, allen key set, torx set, rubber mallet and 15mm pedal wrench.

 

Enjoy

 

why google it when you can ask here and get loads of answres varying from impossible to hijacking ?

[rouxtjie]

who google it when you can ask here and get loads of answres varying from impossible to hijacking ?

True what was I thinking

 

To the OP I take it you saddle bag / hydration pack has the following ESSENTIALS

1. Spare tube in sock
   
2. Tyre levers
   
3. Multitool
   
4. Patch kit
   
5. SRAM quick links...1 set min
   
6. Cable ties
   
7. Small bottle lube
   
8. 100 ZAR
   
9. Small amount of duct tape
   

Edited January 12, 2012 by rouxtjie

[RavenShield]

Thanx for all the input so far guys!! Keep the advice coming, one can never have enough!

I won't be racing, more of a fitness training for motorcycling.

[kosmonooit]

#1 get into the habit of a good clean after every event or when required, that includes a good clean down of the chainset using one of several methods, a good clean of the dérailleurs with something like clean green, and then a good lube and rust/moisture prevention, and you will feel much more up for it when the next even comes, having a clean, ready bike with smooth gears.

 

Measure your chain wear, that's important. Several ways of doing that, I use a go-no go gauge but for others here that is sacrilege. Then build up a tool kit to DIY maintenance, lots of opinions and advise here and there is loads on YouTube