September 5th, 2006 
admin Mountain Bikes On eBay
 |
 2012 HASA 27 Speed Mountain Bike ALIVIO 18 INCH  US $399.00
|
 2012 Rocky Mountain Slayer 70 19 inch US $4,000.00
|
 Rocky Mountain Element 70 RSL Carbon Frame Float RP23 19 2011 NEW US $1,549.79
|
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
Maintaining Your Mountain Bike - The Basics
Riding a mountain bike is great exercise and a lot of fun…and while it's hard on your legs, it's hard on the machinery itself. Keeping your bike maintained will keep you safe, and keep the bike in better condition for years to come. There are three basic time frames for maintaining your bike:
- Just before you ride,
- just after you ride,
- long-term storage and repairs.
Just before you ride, bike maintenance is fairly straightforward: Check the tire pressure, fill them up to the level you're comfortable with and so on. Make sure that the seat is canted at the right angle, make sure that the quick release levers on the wheels are locked tight, and run the pedals with your hands to make sure that the derailleur is working clearly. Your aim is to make sure that if anything is going to need attention, it gets it now, rather than after you're out on the trail.
After the ride, especially if it's been damp or muddy, you should set the bike upside down (so it's balanced on the seat and handlebars), and run a damp cloth over the derailleur, and the other moving parts that shift the chain around for shifting gears. The aim here is to get any mud, twigs, and brambles out before they provide an avenue for moisture to enter. This is also the time to pop the wheels off and clean them before throwing the bike into the car to drive back home.
After you get the bike home, give everything a thorough cleaning. If you use a dry lubricant on the chain, about once a month, break the chain and re-apply it. (We regularly boil our bicycle chains in paraffin, but that's because we ride in the winter, and it holds up better to snow and salt). It's also probably time to just take things partially apart, to the limits of your skills, and put them back together; this is great for adjusting shock absorber systems (and getting rid of annoying squeaks), and tightening cables for brakes, inspecting brake pads, and the like.
Mountain bikes in routine use get a fair bit of wear and tear. Always check to make sure that things are setting properly when you're off the bike and have it at home; again, the aim is to find anything that could break and fix it before you go on the trail rather than have your fun curtailed by equipment failure.
If you are not an all weather cyclist (and not many people are), its worth carrying out some steps to prepare your bike for storage and to take it out again for the road in the spring. Firstly, when storing your bike, take the wheels off and hang the frame. When the wheels are off, its worth running the inner tubes through a bucket of soapy water to locate any slow leaks and patch them, and its worth tightening and tuning up anything you can reach. A good book for this process is the Complete Bike Repair Handbook, which we use in our shop for getting bikes ready for sale. It's also a good time to true your wheels with a spoke wrench. (Some dedicated mountain bikers true their wheels after every ride…)
When you're putting the bike back into roadworthy condition, the top priority is checking the breaks, followed by running the gear shifts - cable housings can shift when the bike is in storage, which can make things a bit noisier than they should be. (Remember, if it's making noise, then parts that probably shouldn't be rubbing, are rubbing.)
With this advice, you should be well set for mountain biking fun!
About the Author
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For Road Bikes and Mountain Bike specialists, he recommends Merlin Cycles.
Mountain Bikes @ Amazon
 |
Mirrycle MTB Bar End Mountain Bicycle Mirror List Price: $18.00 Sale Price: $9.70 Used From: $10.92  |
|
The Mountain Bicycle Mirror from Mirrycle provides a wide view of the cars behind you, so that you don't have to turn your head as you bike. Designed to fit mountain bike style handlebars, the three-inch round mirror mounts on your handlebar's bar end in minutes with the included wrench... |
 |
Avenir Nylon Bicycle Cover (Mountain Bike) List Price: $24.99 Sale Price: $20.99 |
|
Protect your ride from the elements with this form fitting nylon bike cover! |
 |
Planet Bike Beamer 3 LED Bicycle Light with Quick Cam Bracket Mount List Price: $24.99 Sale Price: $19.99 Used From: $24.99 |
|
Whether you're a 24-hour racer or a super commuter, the Planet Bike Beamer 3 bicycle light will keep your path well lit. The Beamer 3 is equipped with three white Nichia eXtreme v2.0 LEDs, which not only illuminate your way after the sun has gone down, but also make you visible to passing cars or pedestrians... |
 |
Mongoose Status 3.0 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels) List Price: $369.99 Sale Price: $335.74 |
|
The Mongoose Status 3.0 26-inch dual-suspension mountain bike is equipped with everything you need for trail riding. The bike features a full suspension frame that maximizes comfort and performance, along with an SR suspension fork designed to smooth bumps and increase control... |
 |
Mongoose Maxim Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels) List Price: $240.99 |
|
Whether you're looking to bike deep into the backcountry or ride a few local trails, the Mongoose Maxim 26-inch mountain bike is an ideal companion. The Maxim is equipped with a lightweight full-suspension frame and relaxed geometry, making it both comfortable and maneuverable... |
 |
Topeak Bike Cover (Mountain Bikes) List Price: $49.95 Sale Price: $28.21 |
|
Protect your bike from the elements with the Topeak Bike Cover. It quickly folds to a compact size for storage and just as quickly unfolds to offer weather-resistant protection for your mountain bike. Specifications: Material: 190T nylon Dimensions: 70 by 24... |
 |
Topeak DeFender M1 Mountain Bike Fender (Front) List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $13.85 |
|
* Stylish 2pc wide profile front fender offers maximum dirt protection. * Quick release front mount easily attaches to suspension forks in seconds. * Dual compound two tone injected nylon for durability... |
 |
Schwinn 20-Function Bike Computer List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $11.98 Used From: $5.81 |
|
Improve your workout efficiency when cycling with this Schwinn 20-function bike computer. Designed to attach securely to your handlebar, the computer tracks such info as speed, distance, time, and calories burned, helping you develop an effective workout routine with each ride... |
 |
Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster Bike Pump List Price: $21.95 Sale Price: $14.00 |
|
The Pocket Rocket Master Blaster from Topeak is a lightweight mini pump designed for road use, with an efficient design that pumps to 160 psi. Weighing in at just 4.05 ounces, the Pocket Rocket features alloy barrel construction with a soft Kraton head and plastic handle for a secure grip as you pump... |
 |
Schwinn High Timber Women's Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels) List Price: $276.99 |
|
The High Timber Women's Mountain Bike from Schwinn offers trail-ready features and everyday riding appeal with a rugged steel frame and a shock-absorbing Suntour suspension fork. Equipped with a 21-speed Shimano SRAM drivetrain, the High Timber bike is geared to take on any incline or decline reliably... |
How to repair a MTB inner tube
Posted in 
Tags: 
