Mountain Biking - Looking for a mechanics check list and info on care and maintenence of a MTB

Hello BikeForums.net and santiago,

A short intro then we'll get into it...

I'll be the first to admit I don't know much and I'm fairly new to riding mountain bikes. But a friend gave me a brand new dept. store NEXT 26' Shocker and this bike is ****ing sweet. I've been riding the **** out of this thing and I can't believe anyone would spend more than 150 dollars for a mountain bike. And at this price, it came with full suspension and every thing.

Sure it's heavy, but that means it's solid so I don't have to worry about it fouling up on my when I'm riding hard so I don't even bother to wear a helmet.

In all seriousness, I'm obviously not being serious at all.

However, I did get a dept. store bike for free, and I ride it exactly how a dept. store should be ridden, if you indeed think these things are even safe enough to sit on, which I know they aren't.

I do take it out, but I ride on a bike trail next to my house that's about a mile long, so when this thing gives out I don't have far to walk. At the moment I can't afford a bike in any price range, and I think wheeling responsibly around on this monstrosity is better than nothing (although that's also debatable).

Anyways, I'd like to learn how to break it down, make sure some guy in China put everything on facing in the right direction, and basically use it as a step to becoming familiar with bikes and mountain bikes in general.

I've looked for a decent mechanics check list I can use to dis/assemble, correct and check the bike by but I can't seem to find one, so I thought I'd ask here.

Also, if anyone can point me in the direction of a decent resource to learn how to properly take care of and maintain a bike--so when I do get a real one, I don't destroy it because I have some foundation of knowledge--it would be much appreciated. The Park Tools website is a good resource, but upon further searching I see there's a ton of crap on the internet and I'd really rather not learn bike care from some website that has articles written by 15 year olds.

Any and all help would be appreciated, but a good mechanic's check list would be great.

[edit] I would also just like to say I have searched plenty, so Im not being lazy. Im just not sure what information out there can be "trusted" nor where to find it. I would not have posted this had I not tried to find this information on my own.

Free bikes are always the sweetest. Just use the park tool website, it has all the info you need.

Edit: oops you caught me, I didn't read your whole post until after I posted. Shame on me!

The Park Tools website is a good resource, but upon further searching I see there's a ton of crap on the internet and I'd really rather not learn bike care from some website that has articles written by 15 year olds.

I'm 15, work in a bike shop, and have built my bike up more or less from the ground up. And it runs perfectly, all the time.

http://bicycletutor.com/


Some good info there..

Your local library is a great source for free stuff (but you DO have to give it back eventually...). Check out Zinn's book on mtn bike maintenance and/or Todd Downs' "Bicycling Magazine" book on mtn bike maintenance.

Then, check out the bike mechanics' forum here.

I'm 15, work in a bike shop, and have built my bike up more or less from the ground up. And it runs perfectly, all the time.

You young sir, are the exception and I applaud you for that.

Duce97 thank you very much!

Mondoman, despite my name being Literati, I never even thought of looking local library. That doesn't say much on my part, but I'll be sure to get into it there.

Also, from my experiences, a store like Borders or Chapters is perfect to go and just destroy yourself with decent information on most subjects if you have the time, the patience, and the attention span to do so. Plus they have coffee and couches.

Free bikes are always the sweetest. Just use the park tool website, it has all the info you need.

Edit: oops you caught me, I didn't read your whole post until after I posted. Shame on me!

Spoken like a true victim!

Also, since this post, in accordance to the way **** works in the universe, immediately after I made this thread I found Sheldon Brown's website, which is a help.

[edit] But I still think a good mechanics check list will help me out a lot.

For what it worth, I found this on the net...


BICYCLE BASIC TUNE-UP CHECKLIST

Wheel Systems:
( ) Hubs adjusted to not be tight or loose.
( ) All hubs locknuts secured.
( ) Hubs inspected for bent axles and external evidence of internal problems.
( ) Rims trued laterally to .5mm tolerance or better.
( ) Rims inspected for damaged or other work needed.
( ) Tires checked for proper wear and damage, proper mounting, and inflation.
( ) Wheels mounted in proper alignment and secure.
( ) ALL DONE
( ) SEE NOTES: Problems in need of further attention.
Drive Train System:
( ) Bottom Bracket fixed cup secured.
( ) Bottom Bracket adjusted to not be tight or loose.
( ) Bottom Bracket inspected for external evidence of internal problems.
( ) Crank arms securely mounted.
( ) Chainrings bolts secured.
( ) Wobbling chainrings aligned.
( ) Pedals securely mounted.
( ) Chain inspected for wear and lubricated if necessary.
( ) Freewheel inspected for wear and lubricated if necessary.
( ) ALL DONE
( ) SEE NOTES: Problems in need of further attention.
Steering System:
( ) Headset adjusted to not be tight or loose.
( ) Headset locknut secured.
( ) Headset inspected for external evidence of damage, wear, or loose cups.
( ) Fork inspected for damage.
( ) Stem inspected for proper depth insertion, alignment, and secure.
( ) Handlebars inspected for damage, proper alignment, and secure.
( ) ALL DONE
( ) SEE NOTES: Problems in need of further attention.
Brake System:
( ) Brake calipers checked for mounting security.
( ) Caliper arms and pivot/mounting bolts checked for damage.
( ) Adjustable brake pivots adjusted for no play or binding.
( ) Pivot nut/bolts checked for secure.
( ) Brake caliper lubricated at pivots, springs, and cable adjuster barrels.
( ) Brake pads checked for wear and replaced if more than 50% worn.
( ) Brake pad height set so as not to rub tire or hit partially below rim.
( ) Pads set tangent (parallel) to rim.
( ) New pads set with .5mm to 1.5mm toe to reduce squeal.
( ) Pads clearance set to 1mm -2mm per side (except MTB type).
( ) MTB pad clearance set so that when the pads contact the rim the lever clears the
handlebar by a minimum of 1 inch.
( ) Brake levers set to proper alignment and secure.
( ) Brake level pivots, cable anchor pivots, and cable adjusters lubricated.
( ) Cable removed and inspected for rust, frays, and kinks in the inner wire and housing.
( ) Housings sized to proper length and ends finished with filing and end caps where fit.
( ) Cables lubricated wherever they pass through housings.
( ) Cable system stress tested by pulling brake lever fully to handlebar a minimum of ten
times.
( ) Cable end finished with cap or soldering.
( ) Rims cleaned of lubricants and road grime.
( ) ALL DONE
( ) SEE NOTES: Problems in need of further attention
Shift Systems:
( ) Rear derailleur removed and hanger checked for proper alignment.
( ) Rear derailleur pivots, cable adjusters, and jockey wheels lubricated.
( ) Rear derailleur inspected for damage and worn jockey wheels.
( ) Rear derailleur mounted securely.
( ) Front derailleur checked for proper mounting height and rotation.
( ) Front derailleur checked for proper secure mounting.
( ) Front derailleur pivots lubricated.
( ) Derailleur cables removed and inspected for rust, frays, and kinks in the inner wires
and housings.
( ) Housings sized to proper length and ends finished with filing and end caps wherever
they improve fit.
( ) Cables lubricated wherever they pass through housings when appropriate.
( ) Cables pre-stressed.
( ) Chain length checked.
( ) Rear derailleur limit screws set to allow shift to largest and smallest sprockets.
( ) Rear derailleur checked for over shift at all gear combinations.
( ) Front derailleur limit screws set for minimum clearance of the derailleur cage to the
chain in high and low gear.
( ) Front derailleur checked for over shift at all gear combinations.
( ) ALL DONE
( ) SEE NOTES: Problems in need of further attention
Miscellaneous:
( ) Frame checked for damage.
( ) Seat post checked for allowable minimum depth of insertion.
( ) Seat post secure mounting checked.
( ) Seat checked for proper alignment and secure mounting.
( ) Accessories checked for mounting security and interference with moving parts or
safety hazards.
( ) ALL DONE
( ) SEE NOTES: Problems in need of further attention
Test Ride:
( ) Brakes checked for stopping power and squeal.
( ) Bicycle checked for tracking problems.
( ) Derailleurs checked for performance and over shift.
( ) Chain and freewheel cogs checked for skipping under load.
( ) Bicycle checked for unusual noises.

Notes: These problems could not be repaired and/or are in need of further attention;

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Also if you pick up the Big Blue Book BBB-2 you will find torque values in the appendix, along with a whole lot of other great information.

I found the PDF version of that checklist and I'll look into getting a copy of that book.

I also came across bicycletutor.com which seems to be a good starting place.