Check your bike

your bike

One of the things that can ruin your road bike is a mechanical failure during the route. We must consider important before departure revision of some parts of our bicycle, a quick and regular checking of a number of points will prevent us more damage during route. On a bike with which we practice all sorts of paths or trails, not all failures can be avoided with routine preventive maintenance, but almost most. Let's talk about things that are important and we will consider to do with the multifunction tool that we have in our backpack.

When we conduct preventive maintenance inspection routine to our bike, before departure should always start at the same point, so this review will be systematic and preventive allow us not leave any point without checking every time we make.

Maintenance checkpoint – 1

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Check the screws holding the handle. If they are 4 alternately tighten entrecruzándolos, check that the width of the opening of the clamp to the power is uniform. If the handle is carbon, attention pressure.

Maintenance checkpoint – 2

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Check pressure screw Vertical clamp to steerer power. We must also see that the direction is straight though it is tight, with a simple visual inspection is sufficient.

Maintenance checkpoint – 3

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Check the brake levers and their sheaths and levers of change. Checks that are securely attached to the bars and do not rotate. Check the travel of the brake lever. Check that the levers of the changes will not accumulate dirt and correct operation, this will avoid unexpected surprises.

Maintenance checkpoint – 4

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Check out the fork and make sure arms are clean and leaks. Apply pressure to the handlebars several times to make sure it works properly and no strange noises. Occasionally check the configuration (air pressure, etc) in the fork it is correct for your weight and riding style.

Maintenance checkpoint – 5

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The most important part in a mountain bike mtb: the breaks. If the brakes do not work well mtb bicycle will not go well. Make sure the clamp is tightened. At the same time checks the two screws holding the whole system to the table, a loose pizza pie is a danger.

Maintenance checkpoint – 6

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If your bike is mtb full suspension it is the time to check the axes and bolts of the rear suspension. These screws are alloy or other lightweight materials that can permanently damage when too much force is applied to tighten, it is not necessary to burst.

Maintenance checkpoint – 7

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Check the rear shock, correct offset and leaks. You can also check that the screws holding the damper are tight. To check the displacement will use the O-ring by placing it next to the exit by hopping on the bike and careful not produce rebounds. The route of the O-ring will indicate the displacement. If we have no cushion Manual, a general rule would be 20 – 30% the CASE (displacement) for mtb mountain and a 10 a 20% XC. We will use the high-pressure pump to add air to reach the correct value. Remember that the configuration of the damper is something very personal.

Maintenance checkpoint – 8

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Check that the front derailleur is well adjusted. Changes to the central plate and check that the distance between the cage and the large chainring is not greater than 4 mm or less than 2 mm. It also checks that the derailleur cage we call is parallel to the plates and chain, at the same time check that no wear or friction. Check that no crap like leaves or small branches that could interfere with the movement of front derailleur. Finally noted that the teeth of chainrings, basically the medium that is the most used are not excessively worn, this will cause the chain breaks us at inopportune moments.

Maintenance checkpoint – 9

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The second most important part on the bike mtb mountain: the rear derailleur. Check that the rear derailleur and chain are clean and greased pivot points, and stops the change is correct. Try changing Pinion to ensure that each change abruptly. Make sure the main pivot bolt is tightened change. Take a look at the chain line from behind and ensure that describes a straight line.

Maintenance checkpoint – 10

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Check the pair of screws on the rear brake caliper as you did with the front wheel. Check that the brake mounting bracket is tightened to the frame by these two screws and the clamp is firm. Check the brake pad wear also. If you find that you have less than 1 mm, It is time to replace or do without delay the return of this output, less than 1 mm is considered unsafe brake system.

Maintenance checkpoint – 11

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Check the cassette (pinions) to check the wear of the teeth and there are none folded. If you see the teeth begin to be sharp like the teeth of sharks it is time to change cassette and new chain and depending on how the dishes are.

Maintenance checkpoint – 12

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Finally, checks the 6 screws holding the brake discs of the two wheels. If the disks are shimano would have to remove the wheel for this operation.

I hope these checkpoints are help you to enjoy your mountain bike mtb.