Taking care of your bike may seem tedious at times, but it's much better than replacing expensive parts more often than you should.
Lubricate
Lubrication is key to ensuring your bike runs smoothly. The chain is in constant contact with the rear derailleur so keeping your bike lubricated is essential. Small bits of dirt and debris can get into the pulleys, causing premature wear and eventual damage. Proper lubrication helps ensure your chain and derailleurs perform at the optimum level. It’s recommended to lubricate your chain before every ride or every other ride. I recommend using Muc-off dry Lube. It works great for the dry Utah trails. It works great for road bikes as well. You can buy bike lube at any local bike shop, online, or from Trail Peak Mobile Bike Shop when you schedule an appointment with us.
Clean Your Bike
Like I mentioned above, your chain is a crucial part of your bike. Cleaning your chain is crucial, but cleaning your entire bike to keep your bike in working order is best practice. When cleaning your bike, be sure to focus your cleaning on the moving parts such as the fork, dropper post (if applicable), chain, pulleys, chainrings, cables etc. However, if you are using a pressure washer, ensure that it is on a low setting. It’s best to use pressure washers under 1500 psi. Avoid aiming the pressure washer directly at seals and bearings.
Check Your Tires
Tires are an underestimated component of a bike. They are the only things touching the ground when riding (hopefully). The last thing you want to do is wreck because your tread has worn out or your PSI is too low/high. Basically, whether you are running a road bike or mountain bike, check your tread and PSI regularly! Too low of PSI could allow the tire to fall off the rim during jumps or sharp turns. Extremely, high PSI is just an invitation for sharp objects or worse a blown tire. If you need a new set of tires, contact your local bike shop or Trail Peak Mobile Bike Shop can bring new tires directly to your front door. Have a question about PSI? Send us a message!
Shift gears properly
It's obvious that shifting gears properly is key to smooth riding. However, it is also in your best interest to shift smoothly so you don’t damage your chain or cassette. I’ve too often seen bent teeth on a cog because of aggressive shifting. To ensure this doesn’t happen, only shift when you aren’t applying torque onto the pedals. If you absolutely must shift while riding up hill, pedal hard to get some momentum, let off the torque for a half second while you shift, and then continue pedaling.
Only ride trails recommended for your bike
Make sure that the trail that you are riding is the recommended trail for your type of bike. If you are riding a road bike, this may not be an issue for you. Mountain bikes, however, are sometimes rated for certain trails. Obviously, you don’t want to take your beginner mountain bike through gnarly rock beds or poorly maintained jumps. Trust me…I’ve tried both.
Keep it up with Regular Maintenance
Keeping up with your bike doesn’t take long but will save you a lot of hassle in the future. Just do the little things mentioned above on a consistent basis and your bike will last for years to come. Unsure of how to do some of the things mentioned above, don’t have the right tools, or you just don’t want to do it? Just click “Book Online” and pick a time that’s good for you. Trail Peak Mobile Bike Shop will travel to your home, workplace, or trailhead to clean, tune, and repair your bike.
