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Just like any vehicle, a mountain bike also needs maintenance. Cycling on a poorly maintained mountain bike is unpleasant and unsafe. In this blog you can read about the disadvantages of a poorly maintained mountain bike. We also tell you how to maintain your mountain bike and which products are the best to buy.
Below is a summary of the topics:
Why maintain mountain bike?
After every ride there is a layer of dirt on your mountain bike, even if you don’t always see it immediately. Think, for example, of a very thin layer of sand or salt. After an off-road ride, your mountain bike is often covered with grass and mud, unfortunately you cannot prevent this. Do not let this dirt sit for too long, it can cause corrosion and rust on all parts of your mountain bike. In addition, the chain will move less smoothly, which makes cycling very unpleasant.
By properly maintaining your mountain bike, you extend its lifespan and you can, for example, more easily adjust and replace part.
How should you maintain a mountain bike?
Maintaining your mountain bike consists of the following tasks.
- Cleaning the frame and wheels;
- cleaning the chain;
- Lubrication of chain and other parts.
*Never use a pressure washer for cleaning as it can remove important grease between the parts. This will cause wear.
Cleaning the frame and wheels
You can clean the wheels and frame of your mountain bike with a strong bicycle cleaner. By using the following materials and following the steps, your mountain bike will be sparkling clean.
Cleaning mountain bike supplies
- bicycle cleaner;
- Garden hose or bucket of water;
- microfibre cloth;
- Brush;
bike protector.
Step 1
Spray the bicycle cleaner on the frame and wheels. You have to let it soak in, this will take a few minutes. However, you should not let it dry out.
Step 2
Run the brush over the mountain bike and remove all the dirt.
Step 3
Spray the mountain bike clean with a garden hose or use a bucket with water.
Step 4
Now dry the mountain bike with a microfibre cloth.
Step 5
For extra protection, you can spray the frame with a bike protector. This gives the frame a water and dirt repellent layer.
Cleaning the chain
Use a special chain cleaner to clean the mountain bike chain.
Cleaning mountain bike supplies
- chain cleaner;
- Garden hose or bucket of water;
- microfibre cloth;
- Brush;
Step 1
Apply the chain cleaner to the chain or entire drivetrain. Wait a few minutes, but don’t let it dry out.
Step 2
Take the brush and wipe all the dirt off the chain. Don’t forget to swipe between the links.
Step 3
Now clean the chain with a bucket of water or garden hose.
Step 4
Dry the chain with a microfibre cloth.
Lubricate chain
After cleaning your chain, you need to lubricate it again. The cleaner will also remove all greases. You can choose wax or lube, we will tell you more about that later.
Lubricating mountain bike chain supplies
- wax or lube;
- Microfibre cloth.
Step 1
Apply the wax or lube to the chain, turn the wheel after application. The wax or lube can spread so well over the drivetrain.
Step 2
You now have to wait 15 minutes, so that the lubricant can work well. After 15 minutes, remove the excess lubricant with a microfibre cloth.
Apply mounting paste
Lubricate the seat posts, stems, threads and bolts regularly with mounting paste. This will give them a better grip, prevent wear and your mountain bike will squeak and creak less. The assembly paste also makes it easier to remove and adjust parts.
Which products are needed for mountain bike maintenance?
Thanks to the following products you can easily maintain your mountain bike.
- Velorest Chain Cleaner;
- Velorest Bike Cleaner;
- Velorest Chain Wax;
- Velorest Chain Lube Wet;
- Velorest Bike protector.
Velorest Chain Cleaner
You get a shiny clean mountain bike chain thanks to Velorest Chain Cleaner. It is a chain cleaner that cleans your entire drivetrain. Velorest Chain Cleaner is highly concentrated and suitable for removing mud, sand, salt, grass, oil and grease.
Velorest Bike Cleaner
Velorest Bike Cleaner thoroughly cleans the frame and wheels. You can very easily remove grass, sand, salt, mud, oil and grease residues. This cleaner cleans even the most soiled mountain bike.
Velorest Chain Wax
Do you often go off-road with your mountain bike? Then lubricate the chain with Velorest Chain Wax, this wax gives your chain a water and dirt-repellent layer. After cycling you can easily remove the coarse dirt with a brush. Moreover, Velorest Chain Wax is better for the environment, because it is 100% vegetable, biodegradable and free of microplastics. This wax makes your chain run smoothly and quickly, it is suitable for dry and warm conditions.
Velorest Chain Lube Wet
Velorest Chain Lube Wet works best in wet and cold weather conditions. So it is best to use it during rainy and wintery days. The chain will rotate smoothly and quickly.
Velorest Bike Protector
Use Velorest Bike Protector to give the frame of your mountain bike a water and dirt repellent layer. Velorest Bike Protector provides a vegetable nano-coating that is biodegradable. The packaging is fully recyclable. Velorest Bike Protector contains no microplastics.
Do you want a total package for the maintenance of your racing bike? Then the Velorest Total Bundle is the best option! You will also find an excellent bike care bundle below.
€21,90
€18,95 Incl. VAT
Clean your bike with the Velorest Bike Cleaner and protect with the Velorest Bike Protector.
€50,75
€44,95 Incl. VAT
This Total Bundle from Velorest consists of 5 top products; Bike Cleaner, Chain Cleaner, Bike Protector, Chain Wax and Chain Lube Wet.