Basic maintenance

Finlab6

I have a GT avalanche 1.0 mainly used for commuting which does involve about 10min of park trails. I have neglected this bike for long enough in that it has been washed once and gets a regular spray of wd40 at chain and crank. What should I be doing to increase it's lifespan and show that I do care about it?

Hardrock_Northants

This online guide is well worth a read and will get you started. http://www.mtbonline.co.za/info/mountain-bike-tools.htm

Chris.

Finlab6

thanks

cooldad

Avoid WD40 on the chain. It's a dispersant not a lubricant.

plodtv

I read somewhere that putting wd40 on a bike chain was a big no. Something to do with it actually removing the lube.

dava13

Agree with the not using WD40 responses, will just take all the lube off the chain rather than lubricating it

Finlab6

Can you recommend a good lube?

dava13

I use Finish Line wet lube. Has served me well, others may have different favourites

sparked

I use WD40 to clean my chain, but then dry the chain before I apply Finish Line Dry Lube, would you say that was ok?

P.S. I'm quite new to this lark

cooldad

I got a free sample of Squirt off these guys. Works for me.

http://www.in2dust.co.uk/index.html

ricardo666

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/workshops
http://waz.ca/biking/bleeding-shimano-disk-brakes/
http://www.bikemagic.com/maintenance/7.html
http://bicycletutor.com/wheel-truing/

I've picked up loads of website tutorials, plus some of the magazines do monthly page or two on fixing or installing parts.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40043

I know the lads at Llandegla run a mechanics session, so check with your local bike shop/ trail centre.

wordnumb

sparked wrote:

I use WD40 to clean my chain, but then dry the chain before I apply Finish Line Dry Lube, would you say that was ok?

P.S. I'm quite new to this lark

Yup. Use a water displacer to get any water out of the chain. Wipe clean. Apply proper lube.

Prefer GT85 myself, and I'd only use it if the chain got wet.

sparked

wordnumb wrote:

sparked wrote:

I use WD40 to clean my chain, but then dry the chain before I apply Finish Line Dry Lube, would you say that was ok?

P.S. I'm quite new to this lark

Yup. Use a water displacer to get any water out of the chain. Wipe clean. Apply proper lube.

Prefer GT85 myself, and I'd only use it if the chain got wet.

Thanks for that mate, was wondering if what I was doing was right or not. Just got back in from a trip round Ladybower Res in Derbyshire, so needed to give it a good clean after that lol

torgey33

Buy this months What Mountain Bike, its got a bike maintenance guide DVD with it, not watched it yet but there`s lots of Park Tool pictures so if they have had anything to do with it, it should be GOOD.

Briggo

wordnumb wrote:

sparked wrote:

I use WD40 to clean my chain, but then dry the chain before I apply Finish Line Dry Lube, would you say that was ok?

P.S. I'm quite new to this lark

Yup. Use a water displacer to get any water out of the chain. Wipe clean. Apply proper lube.

Prefer GT85 myself, and I'd only use it if the chain got wet.

Does WD40 actually clean the chain though?

To clean a chain you need either a decent degreaser like fenwicks or give the chain a wash in white spirit to take off all the dirt and existing lube.