How Often Should I Get My Bike Serviced? The best way is to perform regular mountain bike maintenance. This is because the lights draw very little electricity, so should not cause much voltage sag. While a dropper post is able to withstand the force of holding a bike in a high-quality bike stand, it is best to use a clean soft cloth in between the jaws of the clamp and the dropper post shaft to protect the machined surface from dirt in your bike stand clamp. Degrease cassette: Use a gear cleaning brush or old toothbrush dipped in degreaser to clean your cassette sprockets. HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SERVICE YOUR MOUNTAIN BIKE? Is it okay to store my bike in this condition for a week? When it gets noisy I spray down with White Lightening chain cleaner and using a microfiber until its clean, and then reapply. Using your bike as a way of commuting. I just got my first mountain bike and have no idea how to clean it. Can anyone explain how to keep the bike clean or recommend a video or another resource? Remember to clean the dust first before splashing the water as if the dust sticks, might end up scratching the color/paint of the bike. And the best part is, you can do it all at home with the right supplies and some basic knowledge. Hope this helps and keep cycling strong! There are four pivots on the rear derailleur, and two on the front, that can benefit from occasional lubrication. Then I rinse by dripping as little water as possible (to remove any remaining degreaser) from a water bottle, rerun the chain through a clean rag, and let it dry overnight. E-bike maintenance products I use to ride with 30psi in my talcum powdered tubes/tires back in the ’90s, early ’00s and I would still get a flat tire at least once a month. But there is a proviso. … Periodically we’d remove the battery and motor covers and clean out any ingrained mud and then we’d apply a specific electrical grease or lubricant to the connectors. Of all the parts that make up a bicycle, the drive chain is among those that receive the most wear. October 2008. You can pick up pretty much everything you need to clean a mountain bike at your local hardware store or chain stores like Walmart. This spray loosens dirt extremely well, so when you take the next step, you don't scratch your bike with dirt. I recently heard a debate about mountain bike (MTB) maintenance. I live in a condo, so access to a cleaning bay is a bit difficult. Spring is here in Denver, and as the snow recedes and the temps rise it’s natural to start daydreaming about the ensuing mountain bike season. Oils that are specifically marketed as bicycle-chain lubricants are superior to non-bicycle-specific products. Water wash can be done once a week to keep the shine. Clean your bike regularly to protect it from rust and damage. Step 1: Washing the Mountain Bike . We guide you through the basics of bike anatomy, show you how to find your perfect position on the bike to maximise comfort and performance and how to maintain your bike to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. A tip - centralise your chain on the cassette before back-pedalling to run the chain through the rag. My bike was exactly the same, used daily for my commute to work and then over the weekends in all weather conditions. According to Mpora.com , you’ll need a hose or a bucket of water, a clean cloth, a spray bottle of all-purpose cleaner, a hard bristle brush, a sponge or soft bristle brush, and some bicycle lubricant. How Often Should You Wash Your Mountain Bike Keeping your mountain bike clean is the number one thing you can do to keep it running well. I dunno too much about individual chain longetivity, but 1000+ miles on a well-maintained chain in year-round weather (I'm not talking dry Arizona, etc) is not unheard of. Dirt and grime corrode both the frame and the components. Durability is the lesser issue as you can and should lube your chain often. You should also clean your battery (and ebike in general!) The chain is also open and exposed to any elements that can damage it, including water and dirt. Ahmad recommends that riders should always do a quick pre-ride check before pedalling out. Or “how often to clean your bike.” For example, my last ride was last weekend. No matter how it looks, always clean it. No thanks, I already attended that school. I live in an apartment and don’t have access to a hose. Costing around $200 labor (or more), add parts and this service can be tough on the pocket book. Needless to say, you should also do this to your chainrings, cassette cogs, and derailleur wheels, though the chain should be done most often. How to clean and lube your bike chain Keeping your bike chain clean and lubed is the best way to extend the life of your drivetrain, keep your bike shifting smoothly, and save money in the long run. With a little practice, you can clean a bike after rainy/snowy rides in about 15 minutes. How do you keep a mountain bike running reliably? Bonus #2. Failing to grease and clean components can result in a noisy ride at best. This may be on hand at the entrance/exit to your local trail centre, or if not, your local bike shop should let you clean your bike for free. Lubricate the pivots. photo credit 1. Hose entire bike down, and use a moderate pressure on the chain itself to ensure you get all the dirt out. Spray bike with your bike cleaner, and ensure you get into those hidden spots. A good benchmark is to go through a cleaning after every 20-25 rides or so. Your frame needs to be cleaned regularly, and the components require cleaning and servicing as well. Anyway, How often shoud I clean my chain and re-lube. But checks shouldn’t just be after a ride. That said, there are sometimes you should always clean off your bike-- ... Posts. Unfortunately, an overhaul is not cheap. Lubing the chain is absolutely critical to extend the life of your drivetrain and keep your bike as quiet and smooth as possible. Wash bike down by hand, with soapy water and a cloth. It is also vital that you only clamp an extended seat post. This will prevent the build up of road grime and clean off sticky energy drinks. If all’s good, we’d clean it out and oil it up." jayson Posts: 4,606. 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