Regular mountain bike service intervals are essential for ensuring that your bike is running at its best and to prolong the life of your bike. By performing regular maintenance, you can ensure that your bike is safe and reliable, which can help to improve your riding experience and ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable time on the trails.
Brakes
One of the most important components of a mountain bike to maintain are the brakes. Over time, brake pads wear down, and brake fluid can become contaminated, which can lead to poor braking performance. Regular brake bleeds can help to keep the brake system working properly, and can also help to prevent brake failure in the event of an emergency. Not only that, regular brake maintenance can also increase the life of your brake pads and reduce the risk of costly replacements in the future.
In addition to brake pads and brake fluid, it's important to note that brake rotors also wear down over time and need to be replaced. Regular inspection and measurement of the rotors can help to identify when they are becoming too thin and need to be replaced. Worn rotors can reduce braking performance and can also lead to uneven wear on new brake pads. Rotors that are worn too thin can be at risk of cracking or breaking.
Drivetrain
This includes the chain, cassette, and derailleur. The chain is the most important part of the drivetrain to maintain as it is the component that transmits power from the pedals to the rear wheel. A worn chain can cause poor shifting and can also damage other parts of the drivetrain. In order to check the wear of the chain, you can use a chain wear indicator, which will tell you when it is time to replace the chain. A worn chain not only affects the performance of your bike but can also cause damage to your cassette and derailleur which can be costly to replace. By regularly checking and replacing your chain, you can save money and ensure your bike is running at its best.
Suspension
Suspension is another key component of a mountain bike that requires regular maintenance. Suspension forks and shocks can become less effective over time due to wear and tear, and can also become damaged by dirt and debris. Regular fork and shock service can help to improve the performance of the suspension and can also help to prevent costly damage . It's important to get your suspension fully serviced at least once a year, and even more frequently if you ride often in muddy or wet conditions. Not only will regular suspension service improve the performance of your bike but it can also increase the life of your suspension and reduce the risk of costly replacements in the future.
Tubeless Sealant
Tubeless sealant is another important aspect of mountain bike maintenance. Over time, tubeless sealant can dry out, which can lead to leaks and air loss. To refresh the sealant, you can add more sealant to the tire, or remove the tire and add new sealant. This will help to keep the tires sealed and prevent leaks.
Linkage and Bearing
Finally, the linkage and bearings of a mountain bike are also important to maintain. Linkage bearings are the pivot points that connect the frame to the suspension, and they can become worn over time. Regular bearing service can help to improve the performance of the suspension and can also help to prevent damage to other parts of the bike. If you live in a wet environment like North Vancouver, it's especially important to service your linkage and bearings more frequently, as the wetness can cause rust and corrosion which can damage the bearings. Not only will regular bearing service improve the performance of your bike but it can also increase the life of your linkage and reduce the risk of costly replacements in the future.
Maintain Your Bike for Optimal Performance
Remember, regular mountain bike service intervals are crucial to ensure that your bike is running at its best and to prolong the life of your bike. This includes brake and brake bleed maintenance, drivetrain maintenance, suspension service, tubeless sealant refreshment, and linkage and bearing service. By performing regular maintenance, you can ensure that your bike is safe and reliable, which can help to improve your riding experience and ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable time on the trails.