Mountain bikes ride tough terrains. If you love your bike and wish it to stay in good condition for a longer time, cleaning it after every adventure is a must. No matter the season, when you cycle along the bumpy off-roads of the mountain slopes, your bicycle gets covered with dust for sure.
If it rains or the road of muddy, your bike might even get stained with muck. Dirt, muck, and grime can damage the parts of your favourite mountain bike making it less efficient over time.
Plus, if you ever decide to give your mountain bike or electric bicycle for sale, its condition will determine the sale price. Make sure to follow the care regime mentioned below to keep your mountain bike well-maintained.
Clean the Body
Cleaning the body of the bike after every ride is a necessity to keep it well-maintained for a long time. After coming back from an off-road trip, you should first take a clean cloth and dust off the entire cycle carefully.
Once done, take a bucket of water and mix a gentle soap with it. Clean the entire cycle with soapy water using a sponge to ensure that no trace of dust or mud is left on the bicycle. Once you are done cleaning it, you should take a pipe and spray water on the bicycle to wash off the foam.
Additionally, you should also pay attention to the condition of the bike chain. If the chain is jammed, you might meet with an accident the next time you take your bike up the hilly slopes. Smooth movement of the chain is critical for a smooth ride.
With dirt particles accumulating on the chain, its flexibility declines and the chances of accidents increase. This is why use a soft brush to clean the chain thoroughly using soapy water and scrub the chain well.
Once done, take a clean dry cloth and dab the chain dry. To keep it in perfect condition, you should also apply a layer of grease to it. This way, you can keep your bicycle’s body and chain in good condition for a longer time.
Wash the Tyres and Pedals
Another part of the mountain bikes that ensure your safety and comfort when you ascend the tough slopes is the tyres. It is important that when you ride the bike the wheels rotate without experiencing any friction. If the tyres get stuck, your bike might trip over instantly. This is why maintaining the mountain bike’s tyres is equally important.
To clean the tyres, you should have a jet spray to sprinkle water on them. The high-speed torrent coming out of the jet spray will simply wash away all the dirt, pebbles, and mud that accumulate in between the tyre’s threading.
However, understanding the mechanical condition of the tyres is not always possible without getting them checked thoroughly.
This is why you should hire a professional from time to time to get your cycle tyres checked for punctures, damages, or misalignments.
The best solution to keep your bike in good shape and the chances of accidents away would be to hire professionals to get your bike’s tyres examined before going on a long ride up the mountains.
If the tyres are seriously damaged, you can get them replaced as well. The bottom line is that you should never shy away from getting new tyres because the overall safety of every ride depends on the condition of the tyres.
Similarly, the pedals are important parts of a mountain bike as well. If they do not work properly, your bike will not move smoothly. This is why lubricate the joints of the pedals well and keep them dirt-free at all times.
Maintain Other Important Parts
Apart from tyres, pedals, chains, and the body, mountain bikes also have other critical parts like the absorber. Undulating slopes are all a mountain bike crosses every day. The rider feels the least shock of these undulations owing to the absorber.
This is why every mountain bike owner should pay attention to the upkeep of the cycle’s absorbers as well. Similarly, the brakes also play a critical role in ensuring the safety of your rides on a mountain bike.
Cleaning these parts is not a difficult task. You just have to be meticulous about dusting them off after every ride. You can also apply a layer of lubricant on the absorbers or brakes to keep them optimally functional for a longer time.
Also, you should get the condition of the brake and absorber checked by a professional from time to time to eliminate the risk of on-road issues.
If you are interested in selling a mountain bike or a South African top electric bike, make sure to keep it in good condition. If all parts of your bike work properly and it looks sparkling, you can sell it to the best online portals and crack a good deal.