As the first of our in-coming series of bike maintenance and service videos, we will be starting off with the basics. Today's full suspension mountain bikes are incredible machines that perform at very high levels, but they do require regular love and care to function at the extremes that we put them through. With the tips that we'll run through in the following video clips, you can rest assured that your bike will run smoothly in between more in-depth maintenance intervals, and you can prolong the life of wearable parts like your drive-train, bearings, and seals.

Cleaning and lubing your chain

Cleaning your chain before (or after) every ride might seem like overkill, but performing this quick bit of maintenance can drastically increase the lifespan of your drive train (chain, cassette, and chainring), keep your gears shifting more smoothly, and make things substantially quieter. Check out some chain lube options.

Checking your air pressure

Many mountain bikers these days run tubeless set ups, which drastically reduces the likelihood of pinch flatting and allows you to run lower air pressure than you otherwise would. It does mean that your tires will slowly leak air over time though, so it is important to check your tire pressure prior to every ride. Also, do be sure to carry a spare tube and the means to change it with you when you ride, so that in case you slice your tire you can still ride out! Check out our floor pumps.

Tighten your pivot bolts

There are a variety of different suspension platforms in the full suspension mountain bikes of today, but one thing holds true for them all - lots of pivots. These can come loose over time, so it is very important to check that all your bolts and axles are tight. This only needs to be done every three or four rides, but it can be a good idea to make it into a habit and check every ride. Ensuring that these are tight will prevent any irritating creaks from developing, or even worse, play and wobble in your frame.

Cleaning your dustwiper seals

The suspension on modern mountain bikes is impressive, to say the least. It does require regular cleaning to maintain top performance in between overhauls. Here is a quick tip to cleaning the dust wiper seals on your fork, shock, and dropper seat post. Doing this before or after every ride will extend your seal's life-span and keep your components running buttery smooth.

Checking your headset

One often overlooked component is your bike's headset. These two bearings take the brunt of abuse that your front wheel receives, and very rarely put up any complaint. It is a good idea to check that your headset remains tight, as a loose headset can eventually lead to a damaged frame. Fortunately, it is a very easy thing to check by following these simple instructions!

So there you have it folks. Making a habit of setting aside five minutes before each ride to run through this checklist will help ensure that you have a great time out there on the trails, and will keep more money in your pocket by increasing the longevity of your components. If you have any questions about these steps, feel free to give me a call at 1-844-326-2845, or shoot me an email at marketing@fanatikbike.com. Happy trails - Dan P.