Suppose you have a passion for riding the mountain cycle. In that case, you probably already know how vital it is to maintain your mountain cycle in good form to have the most enjoyable riding experience possible. Maintaining your bike chain and keeping it clean is essential if you want to enjoy a ride free of bumps and jolts.
Your bike chain is the single most critical component of the mountain bike cycle. It comprises many rollers, plates, and links; all strung together. When they are in good condition and carefully maintained, the moving components in your bicycle’s chain help ensure that the bike operates smoothly.
So, here’s a guide on mountain bikes chain maintenance steps:
1. Easy Cleaning
Your chain is the component that accumulates the most oil, grime buildup, and muck. The following is a simple method for keeping your bike chain in good condition:
- Install a work stand for your mountain cycle, then rest it against a shelf or the wall. Because of this, you will have the ability to spin the pedals in any direction with ease.
- Now, grab a rag and fold it a few times to prepare for the next step. Apply a substantial quantity of degreaser to it.
- Wrap this rag completely around the portion of the bike chain that is located lower down, and use your left hand to keep it in place. At the same time, you should use your right hand to pedal the chain in the opposite direction.
- The grime and grease can be removed off the cloth if you hold it firmly. On the other hand, it shouldn’t be so tight that the chain can’t wiggle at all.
It is essential to alternate between applying pressure to the object’s top, bottom, and sides. Take the rag out of the way and reorient it, so the clean side faces the chain. You must carry out the operation multiple times to ensure that the chain is thoroughly cleaned.
The use of chain cleaning equipment is the most effective method available if a more comprehensive cleaning is desired. The chain is then put inside the cleaner, which has a liquid degreaser, and the pedals are turned while the cleaner operates.
Many sets of brushes may be used in conjunction with one another to clean all of the nooks and crannies of the chain as well as remove all of the oil and muck. After cleaning the chain, wipe it off with a clean towel and wait for it to dry before riding the bike again.
2. Lubricate The Chain
The secret to a long life and easy movement for your chain is to keep it greased. It will not be possible for you to enjoy a smooth ride on your mountain bike if the chain is not regularly lubricated.
Put your bike in the middle gear, and then spray a generous quantity of oil on the chain while it is in that gear. This will lubricate the chain. A water-based bike chain lube is the greatest lubricant to use since it not only lubricates the chain but also prevents it from rusting for an extended period. As the mountain bike price in India is quite high, you should always protect it from rusting.
Your bike chain will have a shorter lifespan if it is subjected to rust and corrosion; as a result, it is essential to get a lubricant that prevents rust from forming on the chain. When it comes to lubricating a bike chain, you have a lot of different options to choose from. You can use a water-based lubricant that gives the chain lube the appropriate amount of lubrication for its needs.
Water-based lubricants have been the go-to option for the mountain cycle for many years and have kept the gears and chains of motorcycles turning for a considerable time. Additionally, water-based lubricants lessen the filth’s buildup, decreasing the amount of wear and strain that the chain experiences. Because mountain bikes in India are a little expensive, it is important to make the experience long-lasting and enjoy the ideal riding experience for an extended period.
3. Place Something Over Nothing
Many individuals don’t clean and lubricate their bike chains for weeks, months, or even years for one of two reasons: either they don’t know how to do it, or they don’t have the time to do it. They can also be worried that they won’t be able to do it precisely, which is another reason why they don’t even attempt it. This leads to higher maintenance for your mountain bike cost.
If your friends are waiting outside tapping their feet and the chain is squeaky and dirty, it is still better to give the chain a quick spray of lubricant than to leave it dry. Even if it is preferable to do a thorough cleaning, it is still preferable to perform a simple cleaning and lubrication that takes little time rather than performing neither cleaning nor lubrication at all.
4. Inspect for Wear & Rust
As the mountain cycle price is a little higher, you must ensure that your bike is rust-free. Your bike chain’s rollers and other components are in continual action, which means they are vulnerable to wear and tear and also run the danger of rust and corrosion because they are always moving.
To maintain the chain rolling smoothly for a longer period, it is vital to check for indications of wear on the chain and to see whether it has stretched. When the chain is stretched beyond its capacity, the gears in the vehicle might get damaged. When a chain is damaged beyond repair, replacing the chain rather than the gears is always preferable since replacing the gears is much more expensive than replacing the chain.
You can take preventative measures regarding your bike if you check the chain for signs of wear and tear and strain. You must do routine maintenance if you want to stay riding your bike for a long time.
The chain is the essential component of the bicycle, and it is the one that has to be maintained regularly. You should be able to properly maintain your bike chain by following the methods outlined here to keep the bike functioning smoothly and dependably.
Concerns Occurring During Cleaning Process
1. Tight Links
These are links that do not bend as smoothly as they once did. To locate them, you must gently pedal your chain backwards while observing each link as it travels around the tight bends of your rear derailleur.
The majority are brought on by grime or corrosion between the link plates, which are easily remedied by cleaning, lubricating, and performing light bending in both directions. Others result from improper pin installation or serious chain damage, and the MTB mountain cycle is costly, so it will burn a hole in your pocket.
Incorrect pin installation occurs when the pin that holds the chain links together is not fully inserted through the links and rollers. When link pins have been improperly inserted, it is occasionally possible to manipulate them back into position by pushing them back and forth within their chain plates. This may be done using a chain tool or by moving them manually. It is important to replace any chains that have been damaged.
2. Chain Stretch
The length of chains increases as they grow more worn. Stretch is a misnomer since nothing truly stretches, despite the name given to this phenomenon. As a result of wear that happens between the rollers and the link pins, chains get longer with time. This results in slop or free play, which may, in rare instances, lead to the gears “skipping.”
Additionally, it accelerates the wear and tear on your bicycle’s chainrings and rear gear teeth. It is far more cost effective to replace a chain than a gear set. Utilize a chain wear indicator tool to determine whether or not your chain has become so worn that it has to be replaced. So, avoid chain stretch to save on your expensive bike cost!
