Thawing Out The Bike

By MTB Staff

 So it’s a little early to be talking about spring for much of the world.  We can’t resist offering a few tips of maintenance to get you rolling after digging your bike out of the shed come thaw.

1)      Check your tires.  Due to the rapid temperature changes it is likely they will be low on air. Besides the obvious, be sure to check each sidewall for abrasions or dry-rot cracking. While checking the tread surface, remove any thorns, nails or soil from last years ride. Recheck tire pressure before each ride. Standard practice is to start with 50 psi and fine-tune up or down in 5 psi increments.

2)       Clean built-up dirt and dust on the shock and fork. Clean and inspect the fork seals and around the stanchions. Bad nicks can be cleaned with a jeweler’s file and 600-grit wet-and-dry. Use fork oil to lubricate the seal top after cleaning and inspecting.

3)      Check the brakes- Pads especially for wear.  Wipe discs with a damp rag- Remove any caked on dirt from caliper.  Important- Do not use a cleaner or solvent that will lube the disc!

4)      Lube- Lift the bike and spin each wheel. Listen for bearing noise as dragging or grinding means time for a drop of oil (if problem still persists it may be time to replace the bearings). Drop a little lubricating oil on steel brake lines near levers (just inside rubber housing) and caliper mounts where exposed. Again avoid getting lubricants on disc or pads. Lube the chain up and while you’re down there- check your cogs for wear or caked dirt.  You may also wish to lube the pedal assembly pivots for smoother, less resisted revolution/ rotation.

   Your mount should be ready to tackle the crisp rides of spring.  Also by following this routine before packing the bike up in the fall, you should have less to maintain when you take it out again.