How to maintain your mountain bike chain?

How to maintain your mountain bike chain?

Maintaining a mountain bike chain chain is an element not to be neglected, as it conditions the wear of the other transmission components of your ATV. Here's how.

  • Time : 15 min
  • Level : Easy
  • Tools : Cloth | Degreaser | Chain cleaner | Lubricants | Possibly a dummy hub.

Steps

  1. Clean the bike and chain with a water hose.

  2. Once the bike is clean and drydegrease to remove the old degreaser and all traces of mud and dirt. Two solutions for degreasing:
    • Either keep the rear wheel on the bike, but be careful not to get the degreaser on the disc;
    • Or remove the rear wheel and place a dummy hubwhich makes the operation easier.

For outings on dry terrain

Degreasing can simply be done with a degreaser and a cloth:

  • 1era step: Apply the degreaser along the entire length of the chain.
    Probikeshop tip: Use the quick-release to see if you've gone all the way around.
    Probikeshop tip: Apply the degreaser to the top of the chain and put a cloth underneath to prevent grease from splashing onto other parts of the bike (wheel, disc, etc.).
  • 2ème step : Wipe the entire length of the chain to remove excess grease.

For outings on wet or muddy terrain

it will be necessary to use the chain cleaner to clean the chain thoroughly.

Probikeshop tip: Give the chain a good ten turns to be sure you've cleaned it thoroughly.
Probikeshop tip: Put a protective cover on your floor, as the cleaner can create projections.
  • 1era step: Fill the cleaner with degreaser to the indicated level, then attach it to the chain and close the case.
  • 2ème step: Hold the box with one hand and turn the chain with the other.
  • 3ème step: Remove the cleaner and dry the chain to remove excess degreaser with a cloth.

Your chain is cleaned, now it's time to lubricate it

There are three ranges of lubricants:

Probikeshop tip: Choose lubricants in canisters, which guarantee a clean application where aerosols risk spraying lubricant onto sensitive parts such as brakes or discs.
  • 1era step : Shake the bottle to mix the solution thoroughly.
  • 2ème step: Apply, always using the quick-release fastener as a reference.
Probikeshop tip: Make a few turns of the transmission, then leave for several minutes to allow the chain to soak up the oil.
  • 3ème step: Dry the chain with a cloth to remove excess grease.

Your chain is now clean and lubricated, ready for mountain biking!

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