Fellow riders,
As Spring is here and the spring/summer riding season is upon us, I'll take this opportunity to send my annual message in the hope that it helps a few of us seasoned folk as well as the newbees.
It's incumbent upon us all to ensure we ride safely and to be a good riding buddy. An important part of that is to keep your bike properly maintained & carry the necessary (basic) spare parts to ensure a safe & pleasant ride. (All the below are based on real emergencies I've encountered).
Please:
1. make sure your brakes are inspected seasonally & the pads are replaced if needed (you might think you're saving a buck by keeping the old pads going, but when your brakes fail & you have to walk out you get lucky - if you get injured due to no brakes, it's much worse)
2. make sure your bike is properly inspected by a mechanic - a loose derailleur hanger (ozen) can lead to the derailleur moving just slightly when going over a nice jump and getting stuck in the spokes - if the derailleur breaks you're in minor trouble - if it takes out the spokes it's a real mess & very expensive.
3. carry spare chain links (the best are the quick links from KMC or SRAM and they will work with any chain) & chain tool. Remember, since everybody has different chains (8spd, 9spd, 10spd, 11spd and now 12spd), we all need different links - carry at least one or two spares [and, of course, a chain tool for your chain (using stone tools on the trail is not recommended) - you'll need it as well in order to remove a bent or offending link before installing the quick-link]. If your chain was bent & straightened, it's probably compromised - replace it ASAP!
4. make sure the "goo" in your tire is fresh (whether you ride tubes or tubeless); it should be topped-off seasonally (add 1/2 bottle = 60ml for a standard 26" MTB tire or a full 120ml bottle for each 29" tube). If you ride tubeless, carry worms & a worm tool (as well as that spare tube for real emergencies) - and be sure you know how to use it! Be sure to store your tube properly so it doesn't stick to itself.
Please ensure the tube is the correct size & valve-type for your rims. A Presta valve can be used with any rim.
The rubber tube tends to stick to itself in this heat -- if you just took it out of the box & put it in your pouch, it's probably stuck to itself & useless -- it will tear when you unfold it (yes, go now and check it!). Here are my tips to avoid this situation:
a) cover your tube liberally with talc (baby powder) & rub it around with your hands so it is all covered with the white powder (this is also good for when you use the tube, it actually is a big benefit!)
b) cut-up a plastic shopping bag (sakit nylon) into long strips, just wider than the tube. For each fold, place a strip of plastic bag between the layers of tube, such that the tube is never touching itself. Every time you fold, use another strip!
c) put this in a plastic bag in your pouch to protect it.
d) it takes up slightly more room this way, but your tube will be functional when you need it!
5. carry a basic bike tool (with chain tool) & multi-tool (Leatherman style), zipties and electrical tape “iso-learband” for fixing minor problems. Be sure the chain tool works with your chain (a 12 spd tool will work with a 9 spd chain, but not the other way around)
6. If the problem isn't simple & you don't have the correct parts & tools; remember, it's usually faster & safer to walk out than to try a complicated trail fix with the wrong equipment & wrong size parts. You're more likely to waste time & really do some damage. Walk out & call it a day while the damage is only minor and everybody is safe.
7. Maintain your shock(s) (front fork, rear shock, dropper seat post). An annual overhaul is recommended. It's a good idea to monthly rub down the sliding surface (stanchions) with a rag (some also say a bit of silicone spray). If done properly, it will greatly extend the service life & improve the performance. A custom mudguard is a great way to ride in style & keep the sticky mud (in the winter) and fine dust (in the summer) off your stanchions. Grime on the stanchions is the ultimate enemy of the wiper seals on the fork. Keeping them clean will greatly extend the life of your fork!
8. Be a good riding buddy:
a) if you're riding unfamiliar trails, stop at each intersection & be sure you can see your riding partner
b) ride the trail in sections & never get more than a minute or two away from your buddy
c) if somebody has to walk out, please don't let them walk out alone - always stay in pairs, especially if you have a far distance or some trails to navigate.
9. One of the best things you can do is a standard post-ride & pre-ride check! If you do it every ride, it'll be quick & painless.
and
Do it post-ride so that if you discover any faults, you can fix before your next ride! If you have any questions, ask a local expert or bike shop.
NB - Always check your spokes - loose spokes can lead to wheel failure, especially in our terrain (I've seen it first hand).
10. My recommended basic maintenance regimen (please PM (or email) if any questions & I'm glad to help):
1. the above post-ride check after every ride (less than 5 minutes)
2. monthly (1st of month is good way to remember), 10-15 minutes:
a) oil & inspect chain. Use one drop of oil on each roller. The point is to get inside the roller, not to cover the chain. I like Joe's for Dry Conditions (the one with the RED cap) or from the US - ProGold Chain Lube.
b) clean/silicone the shock stanchions.
11. In addition to the bike equipment, be sure to carry basic personal equipment:
1. personal first aid kit (bandages, etc.) - PM me & I can give you some important pointers here
2. plenty of water (at least 1 liter per hour), remember we're in extreme desert conditions here!
3. emergency food/goo - if you get stuck & are out beyond your expected time, this will help when you begin to feel weak (nothing is more dangerous than trying to ride when you're weak & disoriented)
4. emergency electrolyte drink mix (helps rehydrate quickly in an emergency). Many times cramps / weakness is due to lack of electrolytes, a drink of this can get you going to get home.
(All this sounds like a lot, but it's really not more than 1kg total of gear!)
12. Proper trail stewardship goes a long way
try to ride in the designated direction - if you ride opposite, yield to the riders & be careful
don't ride on the trails after a rain (especially clay-mud type singles) - it will destroy the trails as well as your bike! Wait a week and enjoy!
13. Wear proper protective gear (armor) for your trail of choice! Even a simple slide on a flowy trail section can turn into a season ending disaster if you're not properly protected.
Handle-bar plugs for yourself and your kid's bike are a minor detail that can really protect yourself from turning a minor slip into a major disaster - and add some great bling to your bike!
Have an amazing ride, enjoy the outdoors, and respect yourself & your riding buddies.
If you have any questions, please PM or email me & I'm happy to help!
Ophir
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