Don't Fail On The Trail: 4 Important Fixes Before You Go Out Mountain Biking
There is nothing like getting on your mountain bike and hitting the trails. It can be one of the most fun things to do. However, if your bike is not in top shape, then you can be in for a really rough ride. Not only might you not have a smooth ride, you might end up flying off into a ditch. If your bike is not in good shape, then you need to bring it into a bicycle repair shop and make sure that it's taken care of. There are little things that might not be noticeable to your eye, but which will cause a huge problem on the trails. So, here are some things you should get checked out:
Make Sure The Shifters Are Working
If you're biking on the trails and the gears won't switch out, then you're going to be in trouble. You want to be able to freely change from one speed to another. It's not enough to have a multi-sped bike if you can't get switch the gears. There might be a problem with the barrel adjusters, or there might be a problem with something along the lines. Whatever the issue, you need to be able to adjust your speed when you're going up or down a hill. Otherwise, you might as well have a fixed gear bike. The multi-sped bike is a necessity, so make sure it works.
Replace The Brake Pads And Tighten Brake Lines
The next thing you need to do is make sure the brakes work. If the bike has worn down brake pads, or bad brake lines, then it is a danger to ride on the trails. You want to be able to stop on a dime. If you're coasting over a crest, and suddenly you hit a section of the trail that comes out on a cliff, you want to be able to hit the brakes and you want the brakes to work. This can save your life. So, you want to make sure that the brake lines work, and that the brake pads work as well. If not, then you might go flying off over a cliff.
Line Up The Derailleur
The next issue to take care of is the derailleur. This is the device that helps switch gears. So, even if the shifter is working, the derailleur might not be working and therefore you won't be able to shift out of gear. The derailleur can often be banged around while riding and this needs to be adjusted in the shop.
Bicycle Tire Repair
Finally, don't forget to fix the bike tires. If the tires are not in solid shape, you can be in trouble. You don't want to have the tires blow out while out on the trail. That will not only slow you down for the day, but it will force you to fix one with a patch that is less than optimal. Ideally, what you want to do is make sure you have new tires with good treads as well as the optimal pressure.
Contact a company like Sarasota Cyclery Inc for more information and assistance.