What you need to know about yr MTB

[MichH]

Hi all,

 

Needing to learn about what to check on your bike and when. I just had to pay R5000 for a service on my car because the brakes were worn down to the point of irrevocably damaging the discs, so I not only had to service my car, but also replace the discs.

 

Now with the car, I knew what the problem was, firstly I was overdue on the service, and I had heard the brakes (ouch!)

 

BUT, when do you know to fix stuff on the bike? And when does a bike need to be completely disassembled in a service?

 

[MichH]

This is what I know:

Lube chain after every ride, ready for next ride

Check tyre pressure before every ride

 

Use a chain measure and if chain has stretched by more than 10% (?), replace

 

As often as possible, clean your bike, focusing on chain, gears, front and rear shock and derailleurs

 

My bike has now done about 678km, when is it time for a major service?

[Dibles]

Lubing a dirty chain is not good enough. Clean the chain with a chain cleaner first and then lube it. Takes less than 5 minutes.

[dirtrider]

Ok the chain thing I have never done . I ride the DT untill the complete thing needs to be replaced .

 

When u wash bike pull finger over spokes , u will pick up problem fast , check brake pads after the magalies monster or any other extreme DH race , Always make sure your shocks are clean ! sh*t on the shock will damage the seals and shock itself .

 

 

 

Ok somebody else now

[Mudsimus]

I service my bike (mtb) after every race.

[Thug]

Periodically check the wear on your brake pads.

[Tumbleweed]

Lube chain after every ride' date=' ready for next ride

[/quote']

 

wipe off dust from chain if it's dusty. you only need to degrease and wash if it's been a muddy ride. too much degreasing and re-lubing can be bad for the chain. lube every 160-200km

holy roller2007-08-01 07:20:27

[dirtrider]

The chain cleaning debate is still going on all over the web and still there is not unity . I clean my chain after every race longer than 70km or after a muddy race .

 

Pull front brake and check headset , adjust accordingly .

 

Feel BB , make sure it's tight yet rotates freely

 

Check wheel hubs , pull wheel from side to side , there should not be any sideways play

 

About every 6 months clean cables , i.e move inners and clean .................

[MichH]

Thanks guys, this is useful. Any more?

[pastapouch]

oi, mich, what car you have? I did the same, but didn't believe that the disks were worn that bad, but ya, R900 for 2 disks. Must actually check it out.

[AndreZA]

If you never had any problem with tubes, don't change to tubeless.

 

 

[RodTi]

Mampara <"if you never had any problem with tubes, don't change to tubeless">  

 

 

Uhm....

 

Isn't that like saying if you ever had a fight with a girl, don't get married??

 

Oh wait.

That  actually makes sense.

 

Oh wait.

No - it doesn't.

 

RodTi2007-08-01 08:31:22

[MichH]

cervelo, Subaru Outback. Not cheap...

[MichH]

Mampara, just wait. Actually just come to Botswana with me next year for the Kalahari Challenge

[AndreZA]

Mampara' date=' just wait. Actually just come to Botswana with me next year for the Kalahari Challenge [/quote']

 

Why, just to show me that if I traveled 500km into the veld I will have problems with my tubes.

 

I still say, if you don't need it, you don't need to convert.

 

 

[MichH]

Ah, but it's all to do with the challenge of the race... plus you need tubeless to stand the thorns and preferably some kind of arm and leg protection as well!