Why Proper Lubrication Is Crucial In Mountain Bike Maintenance
Keywords: cycling, cycling shoes, cycling gear, mountain bike, mountain biking
More and more people are getting into mountain biking. Very few people, though, properly maintain their bikes. One of the most important aspects of mountain bike maintenance is lubrication. Keeping your bike’s moving parts well-lubricated will help keep your bike in top shape for a long time. Failing to keep your bike properly lubed will lead to a shortened lifespan for your bike and its parts.
The most basic advice to heed when it comes to keeping your bike lubed, is that if there’s a moving part, it needs to be lubricated. There are some parts which are best left to the experts. It’s unlikely that you’ll want to pull the bearings out of your headset or from inside the front crankshaft or hubs, but there are plenty of parts which are easy to access and which appreciate a regular and thorough lubing.
When purchasing lube for your bike, it’s advised to buy a product specifically designed for bikes. They’re perfectly formulated for the specific needs of bicycles. These lubricants typically come in drip or spray dispensers.
Now take a look at your mountain bike’s derailleurs. If you’re having trouble with shifting gears, then there’s a good chance your derailleurs need some lubrication. In case you don’t know, the derailleur is the part that moves the chain from gear to gear. Wherever there’s a movable point on the derailleur, apply lubricant. This includes the little adjustment barrel. Some lube there will keep it from rusting and making it impossible to adjust.
Turn your bike upside down, move the pedals and shift gears. Wherever you see the derailleur moving and exposing sections, add some lubricant. Don’t overdo it, though. Wipe up any excess drips.
Another important place to apply lube is the chain. A well-lubricated chain will last a long time and it will shift from gear to gear easier. Either turn the bike upside down or mount it on a rack if you have one, and slowly crank the pedals. As the chain cycles around, apply lubricant by either spraying it or dripping it on. Wipe off any lubricant which accidentally lands on the frame or anywhere else.
The pedals can also use a regular application of lubricant. Of course you don’t want to put any on the pedal grips unless you have cartoon capers in mind, but you do want to apply some to where they attach to the cranks.
It may surprise you to hear that the brakes require lubrication. You don’t want to get any grease on the brake shoes, though! Keep the lube away from the rims, too. Where you do want to apply lubricant is on the pivot points where the brakes move. Wherever there’s a moving joint or metal on metal, you want to apply lubricant. The brake levers themselves can use some lube, too. Again, you’ll want to apply it on the pivot points on the levers and not the lever itself.
A well-lubricated mountain bike will last longer than one that’s neglected. It’ll ride nicer, too. Remember to regularly lubricate the parts you can easily access and talk to your local bike shop about further mountain bike maintenance.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as cycling gear at www.cyclinggearplus.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Are Women's Designer Shoes Worth The Cost? (1)
Now, going back to my opening statement, I said that shoes were originally intended to protect our feet. Women's designer shoes are not made for that either and in some cases they can actually injure the foot.
Visit Piccadilly Circus For A Taste Of London (2)
There are many interesting things in Piccadilly Circus including plenty of pubs. However, be careful when selecting a London pub, because some are for the tourists and others are for the locals, where they might be a little tourist unfriendly.
How To Find The Highest Quality Binoculars For Birdwatching (3)
Although not a typical word it explains it well. If they fall too many times will they still work? So the "Bashability" factor is also important to look at when purchasing binoculars.
Why Are Kids So Crazy About Skateboarding? (4)
From wood skate wheels, to the motorized skateboard, skateboarders can use various designs to reach a variety of heights, speeds, and techniques. Skateboarders enjoy the challenge of learning new tricks to beat the champions while at the same time enjoy watching the champions perform tricks they have not yet learned themselves.
Is It Soccer Or Football And Where Did It Begin? (5)
Finally from Britain we get the story of soccer beginning with the beheading of a Danish Prince. It is said that his head was used as a ball and that as he was hated so much that villagers passed around drawings depicting the event with a ball instead of his head and that is how it became a sport kicking the ball into a specified goal or net.
Some Of The Reasons For The Continued Popularity Of The Case Pocket Knife (6)
If you are among those avid and crazy knife collectors who are searching for the Case pocket knife or any other similar item, then you need not look far. The details are just a click away.
Why You Should Have Your Diamonds Properly Insured (7)
It is important to make sure however that you have a certificate from the jeweler about your diamond certifying the value and possible serial code if applicable. There are a few different types of insurance coverage that you can purchase for your diamond.
A Look At Some Of The Many Different Uses For Key Chains (8)
Having the flash light would prevent you from having to stand there and fumble with your keys in the dark, which I'm sure many of us have done. You can also get key chains that will help you defend yourself if you get in trouble.
A Closer Look At Kinetic Watches (9)
The mode of operation of a kinetic watch is this: A rotating pendulum inside the watch casing is connected to a large gear meshed with a small pinion. As the wearer of the watch moves, the pendulum turns and spins the pinion at very high speeds powering the mini generator which charges the tiny capacitors which can store enough power to run the watch for up to six months.
A View On Background Checks From A University Educator (10)
Unfortunately, not all schools do background checks on school employees and because of this, many children are needlessly exposed to criminals. I find this disturbing, since background checks are easy to obtain and the expense is certainly worth avoiding the very real possibility of employing people who can pose a threat to our children.
Audio Books: A Wonderful Way Of Learning (11)
Different formats of audio books There are three major format types of audio books. There are CDs, cassette tapes and Internet downloads. All formats have specific uses and advantages and all cater to different audience.
Do You Know The Benefits Of Drinking Black Tea? (12)
This is because the lower the leaf the more mature it is and the more phytochemicals and substances that naturally occur in the plant. Black tea has a higher caffeine level than other teas.
The Summer Season, Your Wine And So Much More! (13)
Pinot Noir pairs marvelously with a tender piece of salmon right off the grill. Merlot works great with light Asian fare like California rolls or a sesame chicken salad.
A Look At A Variety Of Pocket Knives (14)
Nevertheless, they retain a significant following, associated with those who enjoy camping, hunting, fishing, and so on. Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about pocket knives and hunting knives at www.only-knives.com
How To Plan A Healthy Diet In Our Fast Food Society (15)
Despite being a tasty additive, they raise the cholesterol and should be limited. Get into the habit of reading the labels on packaged foods. This way you can monitor the amount of sodium and saturated fats in the foods that you buy.
Check Out The Different Types Of Fire (16)
For a fire that will dry wet clothing, you need a strong glowing mass of coals. Around it build a pyramid of sturdy, green, branchy tree limbs and hang your wet clothes on this.
How To Find Your Favorite Sports Collectibles In Collectible Magazines (17)
People who follow professional sports like baseball, basketball, hockey and football, prefer to collect memorabilia from their favorite teams. Here are some different ways to begin your sports collection.
Why The Basic Canvas Shoe Is Experiencing A Revitalization In Popularity (18)
If you don't want to throw them in the wash, you can clean them by hand in the sink with a rag or a gentle brush and some detergent. If you do throw them in the wash, it's best to not put them in the dryer and just let them air dry as they may shrink in the high heat.
Bidding Web Directory FAQ (19)
A BFP directory ranks sites according to the dollar contributions that each site receives. (Some sites accept other currencies too). For example, a site contributing five dollars would be placed higher than a site contributing two dollars.
Have You Thought About Publishing A Book On EBooks (20)
Even since the time of books things have gotten a little easier. When books were first being published they had to be written by hand, but now we have the printing press which can publish books faster than writing the books out by hand.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
A Look At The Dining Habits Of Ancient Romans (1)
This popular pastime was actually begun in Rome. The only difference is, is that they called it dinner. Dinner for the ancient Romans was simple as compared to the late morning meal.
How To Eat Good Quality Food While Traveling (2)
When we stayed in the Bahamas last summer for a month we hit up the grocery store three days a week at least. With three teenage boys to feed, I had no choice!
Get Away From It All With Golf Holidays (3)
For instance, you can choose to golf in a course located near or in a major city, taking in museums or theatres when not golfing. Or you might choose to visit a golf course in an area of rugged natural beauty such as the mountains.
How To Find A Secure Key Chain Flash Drive (4)
Another technological advance that has made it easy to share information with each other is the flash drive. The key chain and pen flash drives have become very popular recently.
Should You Buy Dress Boots Or Work Boots (5)
We see this footwear on people and automatically make presumptions about them. It is a natural thing to do and no doubt why people are wearing these boots in the first place.
Why The Mountain Biking Phenomenon Is Growing In Popularity (6)
If cross-country races are too short for you, there's always endurance (or enduro) racing. These races cover in excess of 70 miles and climb to elevations of 8000 feet and more.
Audiobooks To Download Are The Wave Of The Future (7)
Which device is the best to use when listening to a downloaded audio book? There is no definite answer here. This will really depend where and when it will be used.
Fantasy Baseball - Taking A Full Swing (8)
Yep, injuries happen, and yes, it hurts. But hey, if there were no surprises, what fun would that be. Everyone has to deal with injuries at some point.
If You Are Into Camping You Should Consider The New Clip Flashlight Tent (9)
If you've ever had a leaky tent then you know how miserable it can be, with the clip flashlight you will never have to worry about cold breezes or rain because the clips vestibule will keep you dry and warm during those rainy days.
How To Buy The Best Vacuum Cleaner For You (10)
Vacuums with replaceable bags can add to your initial cost each year driving up the cost of your initial purchase. If you have a lot of floors to vacuum you'll want a model with floor attachments that use brushes and/or an upright vacuum with bottom plates that are made of metal.
Chicken Wings Recipes For Home Cooking Experience (11)
Cook for about 40-50 minutes until the wings are cook and the sauce is thick. Shannon N. Jefferson gets her recipes from quickrecipesdy.info so be sure to stop by and check for new updates.
How The Ladies Can Play Bowling (12)
The above common faults are not only what the ladies makes when playing the game of bowling. The faster you learn to correct them the better you will perform in the delivering your balls.
Expect The Unexpected While Camping In Florida (13)
Online information: www.fs.fed.us Parks and Seashores Camping in Florida is permitted at 7 units of the National Park System. The map and links at home.nps.gov provide directions, operating hours, fee and permit details, and habitat and recreational information for the following: Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee Biscayne National Park, Key Biscayne Canaveral National Seashore, Titusville Dry Tortugas National Park, Key West Everglades National Park, Miami Gulf Islands National Seashore, Gulf Breeze Timucuan Preserve, Jacksonville When you go camping in Florida, expect the unusual from hiking to habitats and recreation to wildlife.
Tips On Better Bowling For Beginners (14)
Suppose a bowler takes his first step too fast. That is the key fault, but it also results in poor timing, too fast footwork, and being off balance at the foul line.
When Should I Make My Baby Wear Shoes (15)
Shoes also afford protection from sunburn, cold weather, scratches and bumps, not just for babies but for everyone. Just make sure to give your baby plenty of opportunity to go barefoot, and let them.
Unique Baby Gifts: 8 Meaningful Ideas The New Family Will Love (16)
A treasure chest of advice. Write down pieces of advice that you think will be useful to a growing child on pieces of paper (or gather such advice from friends and relatives).
How In The World Can A Person Buy A Star? (17)
For example, Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp received credit for simultaneously discovering the comet that we now call by their names. The comet LINEAR received its name from the space probe that discovered it.
Why Everyone Should Consider Eating Raw Foods For Better Health (18)
What I didn't know and was horrified to learn was that it actually changes the molecular structure into a toxin that actually attacks our systems. Go figure. Here I am, thinking I'm feeding my family a healthy diet and instead I find out that I'm feeding them food that is not only not contributing to their health, but harming it as well.
Malta Providing Safe Family Holidays (19)
Malta used to be governed by the British, until 1964 when Malta became independent. The decision to allow the low cost flights came after some time of delay by the Maltese authorities, and was too late to stop a further decline in 2006 of visitor numbers.
The History Of European Furniture (20)
In England they mostly used the oak, but in France it was walnut, which was plentiful there. Some time the cabinet made in Italia and France are difficult to distinguish from one another.
Permalink to Why Proper Lubrication Is Crucial In Mountain Bike Maintenance