Maintaining your mountain bike is essential for ensuring optimal performance, longevity, and most importantly, your safety on the trails. A regular service schedule can help prevent major issues, reduce wear and tear, and keep your bike running smoothly. In this blog post, we’ll outline a comprehensive mountain bike service schedule that covers the essential maintenance tasks and the recommended intervals for each. Let’s dive in!

Pre-Ride Check (Bike Service Schedule Before Every Ride)

Before hitting the trails, it’s crucial to conduct a pre-ride check to ensure your bike is in good condition. This quick inspection can prevent potential accidents and save you from unexpected breakdowns during your ride. Focus on the following:

Tire Pressure: Check and adjust tire pressure according to your riding style and trail conditions. Properly inflated tires improve grip, handling, and overall ride quality.
Brakes: Test both the front and rear brakes to ensure they’re working efficiently. Look for signs of wear on the brake pads and make sure the levers engage smoothly.
Drivetrain: Examine the chain, cassette, and chainrings for dirt, debris, and signs of wear. Lubricate the chain if necessary.
Suspension: Inspect the suspension forks and shock for any signs of oil leakage, and ensure they operate smoothly.
Bolts and Fasteners: Check that all bolts and fasteners are tightened properly.

Regular Cleaning in a Bike Service Schedule (After Every Ride)

Cleaning your mountain bike after every ride is a crucial part of its maintenance. Mud, dust, and grime can accumulate on various components, leading to premature wear and reduced performance. Follow these steps for a thorough cleaning:

Rinse: Use a hose or a bucket of water to rinse off dirt and mud from your bike.
Soap and Brush: Apply a mild soap solution to your bike and use a brush to scrub away stubborn dirt.
Rinse Again: Rinse off the soap thoroughly.
Dry: Dry your bike with a clean cloth or allow it to air dry.
Lubrication: After cleaning, apply lubricant to the chain, derailleurs, and pivot points of the suspension.

Monthly Service

At least once a month, perform a more comprehensive service on your mountain bike to address specific maintenance tasks:

Chain and Drivetrain: Check the chain for wear, and if necessary, replace it. Clean and lubricate the drivetrain components.
Brakes: Inspect brake pads and replace if worn. Bleed hydraulic brakes if needed for optimal performance.
Suspension: Check the suspension for wear, clean and lubricate stanchions, and consider a full service if required.
Wheels: Inspect the wheels for trueness and tension the spokes if needed.
Bolts and Fasteners: Check and tighten all bolts and fasteners.

Seasonal Service

Perform a more thorough service at the beginning of each riding season. This service should cover the following:

Thorough Inspection: Examine the frame, forks, and components for signs of damage or wear. Let a professional Bike-Shop or Suspension-Center service your fork and shock. This can prevent more harm and damage to your suspension and is also recommended by the manufactures.
Cables and Housings: Check and replace cables and housings if necessary.
Bottom Bracket and Headset: Service or replace the bottom bracket and headset bearings if they are showing signs of wear.
Hub Overhaul: Disassemble, clean, and repack hub bearings for smooth operation.

Defining maintenance intervals by riding ours or mileage

Here you can find an image of SAGLY’s maintenance feature and the default intervals we suggest for different types of maintenance.

Here the list of intervals we suggest in kilometers:

• Air Can Service Fork: 620 KM
• Air Can Service Shock: 620 KM
• Bearings Cleaning: 1240 KM
• Bolts Check: 37 KM
• Brake Bleeding: 1240 KM
• Pads Brakes Check: 37 KM
• Replace Brake Pads: 620 KM
• Cassette Cleaning: 620 KM
• Chain Length Check: 124 KM
• Clean Bike: 25 KM
• Complete Seat Post Service: 2480 KM
• Complete Damper Service: 1240 KM
• Lower Seat Post Service: 1240 KM
• Lower Leg Service: 620 KM
• Damper Cartridge Service: 1240 KM
• Lubricate Chain: 25 KM
• Lubricate Stanchions: 124 KM
• Remote Lever Bleed: 620 KM
• Rotor Brakes Check: 37 KM
• Rotor Brakes Replace: 400 KM
• Sound Check: 37 KM
• Spokes Check: 124 KM
• Tires Check: 124 KM
• Upper Seat Post Service: 620

Adhering to a mountain bike service schedule is essential for keeping your bike in top condition and ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride. Regular pre-ride checks, post-ride cleanings, monthly maintenance, and seasonal overhauls will prolong the life of your mountain bike, optimize its performance, and enhance your overall riding experience. Remember, a well-maintained bike not only rides better but also reduces the risk of unexpected mechanical failures during your thrilling mountain biking adventures. Happy trails!

Do not forget to try SAGLY, this mobile app helps your set up your mountain bike and to an overview of your maintenances. By connecting SAGLY to Strava your mileage is synched fully automatic and you stay updated which bike has which maintenance appointment. Moreover instructions will help you to carry out some maintenances by yourself.