| More and more people are getting into | | | | and shift gears. Wherever you see the |
| mountain biking. Very few people, though, | | | | derailleur moving and exposing sections, add |
| properly maintain their bikes. One of the | | | | some lubricant. Don't overdo it, though. Wipe |
| most important aspects of mountain bike | | | | up any excess drips. |
| maintenance is lubrication. Keeping your | | | | |
| bike's moving parts well-lubricated will help | | | | Another important place to apply lube is the |
| keep your bike in top shape for a long time. | | | | chain. A well-lubricated chain will last a |
| Failing to keep your bike properly lubed will | | | | long time and it will shift from gear to gear |
| lead to a shortened lifespan for your bike | | | | easier. Either turn the bike upside down or |
| and its parts. | | | | mount it on a rack if you have one, and |
| | | | slowly crank the pedals. As the chain cycles |
| The most basic advice to heed when it comes | | | | around, apply lubricant by either spraying it |
| to keeping your bike lubed, is that if | | | | or dripping it on. Wipe off any lubricant |
| there's a moving part, it needs to be | | | | which accidentally lands on the frame or |
| lubricated. There are some parts which are | | | | anywhere else. |
| best left to the experts. It's unlikely that | | | | |
| you'll want to pull the bearings out of your | | | | The pedals can also use a regular application |
| headset or from inside the front crankshaft | | | | of lubricant. Of course you don't want to put |
| or hubs, but there are plenty of parts which | | | | any on the pedal grips unless you have |
| are easy to access and which appreciate a | | | | cartoon capers in mind, but you do want to |
| regular and thorough lubing. | | | | apply some to where they attach to the |
| | | | cranks. |
| When purchasing lube for your bike, it's | | | | |
| advised to buy a product specifically | | | | It may surprise you to hear that the brakes |
| designed for bikes. They're perfectly | | | | require lubrication. You don't want to get |
| formulated for the specific needs of | | | | any grease on the brake shoes, though! Keep |
| bicycles. These lubricants typically come in | | | | the lube away from the rims, too. Where you |
| drip or spray dispensers. | | | | do want to apply lubricant is on the pivot |
| | | | points where the brakes move. Wherever |
| Now take a look at your mountain bike's | | | | there's a moving joint or metal on metal, you |
| derailleurs. If you're having trouble with | | | | want to apply lubricant. The brake levers |
| shifting gears, then there's a good chance | | | | themselves can use some lube, too. Again, |
| your derailleurs need some lubrication. In | | | | you'll want to apply it on the pivot points |
| case you don't know, the derailleur is the | | | | on the levers and not the lever itself. |
| part that moves the chain from gear to gear. | | | | |
| Wherever there's a movable point on the | | | | A well-lubricated mountain bike will last |
| derailleur, apply lubricant. This includes | | | | longer than one that's neglected. It'll ride |
| the little adjustment barrel. Some lube there | | | | nicer, too. Remember to regularly lubricate |
| will keep it from rusting and making it | | | | the parts you can easily access and talk to |
| impossible to adjust. | | | | your local bike shop about further mountain |
| | | | bike maintenance. |
| Turn your bike upside down, move the pedals | | | | |