DIY bike repair and adjustment

Repairing a mountain bike, like any other, requires certain skills and an understanding of the mechanics of the work of certain parts. But this does not mean at all that without knowledge, it is impossible to fix this or that breakdown on your own. Most of the repair work, every cycling enthusiast can carry out independently, having a certain set of tools.

This set may be different, it all depends on the specific bike. Each manufacturing company often gives a repair kit when buying, or offers to buy it in addition for a certain fee. But beyond that, other tools can come in handy. Let's try to figure out what knowledge, skills, and tools can be useful when repairing a mountain bike with our own hands.

So, first of all, consider a list of the most essential tools that every bicycle owner should have:

• Set of wrenches. Without them, nowhere, because for repair it is almost always necessary to disassemble the bike, and this is where the wrenches will come to the rescue.
• Hex key set. Kits like this can be purchased at any bike store or market. They began to be used not so long ago, but now, it has become simply impossible to repair a bicycle without such keys.
• A set of pliers. Again, an indispensable item for disassembling and collecting certain parts of a mountain bike. In addition, these are versatile tools, so sometimes they can replace a number of other missing ones. Many cyclists always carry pliers with them. After all, the wheel can be removed and the bolts tightened, and in case of any breakdown without this tool anywhere.
• Phillips screwdriver set. This kit is required when disassembling and assembling small parts.
• A set of end caps with special levers. They are not always necessary, so it is important to find out the cause of the breakdown and the parts with which you will have to work.

This is the end of the list of basic tools, but it is important to understand that this is only a general list, and there are also specific tools for various models. With regards to the mountain bike, it has a lot of different improvements compared to others.

Let's take a look at a list of additional tools that any cyclist may need. These tools have their own specifics and are used only for certain types of breakdowns.

During the use of bicycles, you will have to resort to consumables more than once. Let's take a look at their list and find out what every cyclist needs to have at home:

• Oil for lubricating derailleurs, pedals and chain. This oil can be purchased at any hardware store.
• Fork lubrication oil. A different oil is used here, so it is best to purchase it from specialist bike shops.
• Not enough for the brakes. It is important to understand here that each type of brake has its own oil, and for some it is not needed at all.
• Cleaner. A cleaner is needed to clean the transmission parts as well as the brakes. Again, it is not necessary to purchase liquid if you only ride in good weather on a good road.
• Solvent. Thinner is required for general cleaning of transmission parts.

Here is the main list of consumables, it can be supplemented if necessary. For example, paint, varnish or other materials.

A bike repair stand is a must-have for any cyclist.It does not take up much space, and it is not difficult to make it. What is it for?

First of all, for convenience, because squatting and turning the bike is very tiring and uncomfortable. In addition, the rack provides good stability, so you don't have to worry about the bike falling. Also, the rack is equipped with a special mount that holds the bike and prevents it from turning to the side.

There are many lessons on the Internet on how to make such a stand, but in fact, you don't have to do something. You can simply use an ironing board if it can support the weight of the bike.

If we talk about how to do it yourself, then a good and strong mount, several strong metal pipes, a couple of bolts and a little imagination will definitely come in handy.

So, having dealt with the tools, we turn to various types of breakdowns. It is simply impossible to list everything, because mountain bikes are equipped with dozens of parts, each of which is capable of breaking. Therefore, we will consider a number of the most basic breakdowns that are most common.

Many people face a similar problem, such a breakdown is possible for a number of reasons. For example, if you carry large loads on a bicycle, crash into something, and so on. Let's move on to the steps to fix this problem.
First of all, we determine in which direction the wheel gives a "wave".

To do this, we place the bike on a stand and turn the wheel. Having determined, for example, that the “wave” goes to the left, it is necessary to pull the spokes on the wheel on the right side towards you, and as a result, the left ones should be slightly weakened. This can be done using a special key that comes in the repair kit.

This problem occurs on almost all new bicycles. This is due to the fact that the needles tighten well during assembly, but after a certain period of riding they stretch, which means that they need to be tightened again.
In this, as before, a special knitting key helps.

The main thing here is not to overtighten the knitting needles, otherwise you can simply break them. Stiffness drop is a common problem, but not critical. You can ride a bike with such a breakdown for a long time, but the risk of getting a more serious breakdown increases significantly.

The next problem to consider is bearing wear. Often, this failure occurs simply at the end of the bearing life, or due to poor maintenance.

To prevent such damage, the entire system must be regularly lubricated and cleaned. But if this has already happened, it is necessary to change the bearings. To do this, you need to remove the connecting rods, get the carriage, disassemble it and change the bearings. The procedure is completely simple, but rather painstaking, and can take several hours.

Suspension wear is an irreversible process, since the stress on these parts is constant. To prevent such problems, it is necessary to regularly lubricate and clean the parts so that they do not clog or accumulate oil.

Repairing brakes is not a tricky business, but you need to treat it with great care. Most mountain bikes have V-break brakes and are easy to repair or replace.

The most common breakdowns are a break or severe kink in the brake cable. If the brakes last long enough, they may need to be tightened or the brake pads replaced. In any case, finding the problem is easy enough if you press the brake and take a close look at the entire system from the side.

Repair here is much more difficult, because the transmission includes a fairly large number of parts. First of all, you need to find a breakdown. Let's go through all the parts of the transmission.

The same should be done before malfunctions; it is quite easy to find a breakdown if you look closely.

• Chain (break, wear, poor lubrication).
• Star system (breakage of one of the stars, curvature of stars, wear).
• Cassette.
• Carriage (bearing breakage).
• Ratchet.
• Pedals.
• Switches.
• Coins and cables.

Now let's move on to the features of maintenance. There are two main points to consider here.

Previously, the list of consumables was already specified, which included various lubricants. You need to lubricate certain parts with a syringe. In general, I advise you to do this 2-3 times a month. But you need to understand that such care is needed for long-term daily skiing.

The hub is responsible for making the wheels spin easily and do not make any extraneous sounds. If such problems exist, it is worth rinsing, lubricating, or adjusting the rear hub using special keys. Simply put, if everything is in order with the hub, the bike will “roll” easily and silently.

Summing up, we can say that repairing a mountain bike with your own hands is not difficult at all. The biggest problem for newbies is finding a breakdown.

It is extremely important for the owner of a bicycle to know that his transport is constantly in good condition. The life and health of the owner may ultimately depend on how reliably the bicycle works, because suddenly the brakes fail suddenly can provoke an accident. It is possible and necessary to turn to professionals, but in the life of every cyclist there comes a moment when a critical mass of knowledge about the structure of a bicycle has been reached and you can do routine maintenance and minor repairs of the bike yourself. In order for the bulkhead process to go as smoothly as possible, and the bike only gets better, you should follow these tips.

Like other repair and maintenance work, bicycle repairs cannot be carried out without a set of necessary tools... Each cyclist should have a basic set so that he can carry out routine repairs of the bike on his own:

• Wrenches - preferably several sizes in a set.
• Hex keys are included.
• Screwdrivers - both Phillips and slotted screwdrivers are needed.
• Pliers in stock.
• Scissors and clamps.
• Tweezers and mallet.
• End caps.

In addition to the basic tools, masters recommend gradually increasing their number and adding to their working box: a squeeze for a chain, a ratchet and socket wrench, a spoke wrench, a chain brush and other important bicycle tools.

In addition to the listed tools, it is also necessary to prepare a sufficient base Supplies: oil of various types (each of which is needed for a great part - forks, for oil seals, for chain and pedals), brake fluid and hydraulic oil, solvent and cleaner to fight dirt. All these fluids will not only make the process of caring for your bike much easier, but also keep it in perfect condition.

A bicycle is a complex mechanism that requires regular, gentle lubrication to ensure that all parts function properly. The bike enthusiast should know what to lubricate (and this is the carriage, and the hinge units, and bearings, and the bushing, and the pedals) and what exactly to lubricate (only a special lubricant should be used for each part).

The following lubricants are used to lubricate the bicycle:

• The aerosol is suitable for treating articulated joints, as well as chains and cables in the event that emergency care is required and there is no time for full lubrication.
• Liquid lubricant (for example, I5A oil) is intended for the chain and drum of the rear hub. The peculiarity of such a lubricant is its point application, which makes it a preferable option. But for riding in the cold, it is not suitable, since it hardens quickly in the cold and makes it difficult for the mechanism to work properly.
• Grease is more suitable for lubricating bearing assemblies and threads.

When starting to sort out a bicycle, you need to be prepared for the fact that every detail in it will require attention and sufficient knowledge about its structure.

The process of caring for a frame is, first of all, in keeping it clean. That is why it is extremely important to completely clean the frame of foreign dirt and dust before rebuilding the bike in order to avoid problems with dirt particles getting into the working mechanisms.

ADVICE! Washing under running water with a soft sponge and soapy water is ideal for preparing the frame for bulkhead.

Inspecting the most delicate and damaged areas for cracks or chips is a necessary step to avoid future problems. Experienced cyclists advise Especially carefully inspect the following parts: head tube, bottom bracket tube, rear suspension and chain stays of the rear triangle. If scuffs or chips of paint are found on the frame, then they must be quickly painted over: spray paint does an excellent job with this task.

Bicycle steering column.

The nuances of the column bulkhead process directly depend on its type: if in integrated columns operating on industrial bearings, it is enough to carry out a timely lubricant change, then for a semi-integrated ball bearing column it is necessary to replace worn balls on time. A clear signal to replace a part is considered to be the characteristic creak of the head tube and the difficulty with turning the wheel.

Bicycle repair is not complete without fork maintenance, namely, changing oil, oil seals, pistons or springs, as well as regularly cleaning the legs and anthers from road dirt. Experts note that in the process of caring for the suspension, it is extremely important not to damage the ring springs, which will serve as a kind of protection for the fork from foreign dirt and dust particles.

Suspension - the mechanism is quite delicate and requires special attention, therefore, the masters do not recommend sorting or repairing it yourself. And if the owner himself can carry out the current care, then the bulkhead of the cartridges should be entrusted to a professional master.

The bike chain is the second part that needs regular care... If there is a special lock on the chain, removing the chain is not a problem, but even if it is absent, it can be easily removed using a special chain squeeze. Cleaning the chain from dirt, lubricating the rollers and checking the tension is an elementary but necessary maintenance of the chain.

The system is cleaned, as well as the chain, using a special solvent. And when assembling it, it is extremely important to observe the correct setting of the stars: so that the special pin on the middle star looks at the carriage.

Cassette, that is rear sprocket set, also needs regular cleaning with a solvent from dirt and dust. With the help of a special device - a puller, the process of removing and installing the cassette is not difficult even for an inexperienced cyclist.

For bulkhead ratchet a similar principle works: an industrial bearing is simply washed and relubricated, and a ball bearing is checked for damage to the balls, changed if necessary, washed and lubricated. This maintenance guarantees a significant improvement in the overall performance of the bicycle mechanism.

Since the ride comfort depends on the switches and their adequate operation, their bulkhead should be carried out especially carefully. The correct positioning of the mechanism relative to the system and the cassette stars, as well as the correct adjustment of the screws limiting the foot travel - the required minimum adjustment after the bulkhead. In addition, it is important to lubricate and clean the torsion and tension springs of the rollers in time, and also to check the degree of tension in the cable.

Carriage design, both integrated and cartridge, considered virtually non-separable, but in practice, craftsmen sometimes disassemble them for routine care. When rebuilding the carriages, it is important to remember the location of the parts: two cups of an industrial bearing must occupy the strictly designated places.

Maintenance of shifters consists in regularly cleaning the mechanism and replacing the lubricant with a new one, and since this mechanism experiences low loads, it is enough to service it once a season. It is important to pay due attention not only to the shifter itself, but also to the cables, rubbing them with oil and guaranteeing a soft slide inside the mechanism.

Bicycle brake system.

Since the brakes are a guarantee of traffic safety and the preservation of the life of the cyclist, timely maintenance of the brake system can be considered essential in the process of rebuilding a bicycle. It is carried out in three directions:

• Bulkhead calipers, checking the condition of the pistons and replacing them, if necessary, with new ones. Difficulties in the work of calipers are noticeable to the naked eye: usually it is not strong enough and too long braking and the failure of the handle. Finding the cause and fixing it will solve all problems.
• Brake Lever Device primitive: body, handle and piston - but there can also be difficulties here, for example, with o-rings. If necessary, the craftsmen replace both the pistons and the O-rings.
• Bleeding brake fluid in the brake line - this is a normal process for rebuilding a bicycle. Loss of homogeneity of the pumped liquid can lead to disruptions in the adequate operation of the braking system, and a timely replacement guarantees the safety of the cyclist and reliable operation of the entire braking system.

• A reliable brake is the key to your safety. Learn how to adjust and tune your brakes. Discover.
• Are your bike brakes squeaky? Find out how to get rid of this problem.

It is the bicycle pedals that are considered the most delicate mechanism, therefore they wear out faster than others. It is as simple as possible to check their work: for this, it is enough to turn the pedals a couple of times. Cranking too slowly or stopping quickly is a sign of insufficient lubrication. The pedals should be disassembled traditionally: from the end, sorting out the already familiar ball or industrial bearings according to the standard scheme.

ADVICE! For contact pedals, it is important not to forget about the obligatory lubrication of the springs, otherwise the shoes will snap too tightly, which will create difficulties when riding.

Since the wheels are considered to be the most loaded part of a bicycle, then a little more attention should be paid to them. A timely bulkhead and maintenance of the bike guarantees not only comfortable riding, but also a long service life of the mechanisms. Industrial Bearing Bushings can be sorted out rarely, once in two seasons is quite enough: this can be explained by a large margin of safety. But mechanisms with ball bearings should be sorted out once a season in order to replace the balls with dents or scuffs if necessary.

In the pursuit of bike lightening, manufacturers often skimp on rims, making them less and less durable. This can lead to such an unpleasant phenomenon as rim runout: for example, traditional axial (figure eight) or radial (in which the wheel resembles an egg). This problem is corrected using a special key for the spokes: after removing the tire, the spokes are pulled in the direction opposite to the curvature.

ADVICE! In this case, it is important to tighten the spokes on one side and loosen them on the other: this will guarantee the normal rigidity of the wheels.

• Is your wheel bent and don't know how to fix it? The article "How to fix a figure eight on a bicycle wheel" will help you.
• How to tighten your bicycle spokes. Discover.

In addition to routine maintenance and unscheduled breakdowns, the bike also has a so-called natural wear and tear, that is, a certain part becomes unusable and needs to be replaced after a certain number of kilometers. Experts advise paying attention to the wear of the following parts:

Bicycle repair and proper care will prolong their life and guarantee safe and comfortable movement. For many cyclists, self-care of their bike becomes not only interesting and rewarding, but also a pleasant experience, allowing them to feel their worth and independence.

• It is best to repair a bicycle if you have a special rack at home for such procedures.
• How to get rid of the squeakiness of the bike when pedaling? Discover.
• How to clean a rusty bike: my.housecope.com/wp-content/uploads/ext/3085/rzhavchina-na-velosipede

Cyclists must keep their vehicles in good condition. This is the only way the bike will continue to work reliably, which means you don't have to worry about safety. You will have to resort to the help of professionals, but it is recommended to fix minor faults with your own hands. To make the repairs go smoothly, and the bike only worked better after it, it is worth using the tips that will be discussed.

To repair a bicycle at home, you will have to purchase a minimum of tools:

• wrenches of various sizes;
• hexagon;
• set of pliers;
• mallet and tweezers;
• slotted screwdrivers and Phillips;
• clamps and scissors;
• end nozzles.

Bike owners should have these tool kits. But, over time, their arsenal will certainly be replenished: with a sleeve wrench and a wrench for removing the chain, a ratchet and spoke wrench, a chain cleaner, a brush and others.

To repair a bicycle at home with your own hands, you will need to stock up on consumable materials that will make it easier to take care of the transport and help keep it in almost perfect condition. The base is gradually replenished: all kinds of oils (for different parts), solvents and brake fluid, dirt cleaner and hydraulic oil.

A bike is a complex mechanism, so it needs to be lubricated regularly and carefully to be sure that the parts work properly. The owner of such a vehicle must know what kind of lubricant this or that part is lubricated.

The following lubricants are used:

• aerosol. They will be needed if you need to lubricate cables, chains, articulated joints;
• liquid lubricants of the I5A type, applied pointwise. They are intended for lubrication of drums, chains, rear bushings. But you cannot ride on this grease in the cold season, because due to solidification at low temperatures, it impairs the performance of the bike;
• exclusively thick lubricants are used for machining threads and bearings.

If you decide to go over the bike with your own hands, get ready for the fact that every detail will require knowledge about the device and attention.

The main condition for caring for it is to keep it clean. You need to clean the frame after each ride, especially if it took place in bad weather: snow, rain. You should pay attention to this if you are repairing your bike at home with your own hands. It must be cleaned of dust and dirt before the bulkhead begins. This precaution is justified by the fact that dirt does not get into the working mechanisms.

The ideal solution before the bulkhead is to wash the frame in soapy water under running water using a sponge. When the frame is washed, inspect it for chips and cracks, which may turn into a problem in the future. If cracks or scuffs are found, they need to be painted over. You can use spray paint, which copes with this task easily.

They check with particular care: the bottom bracket tube, as well as the head tube, upper triangles of the rear and rear suspension.

To carry out repairs at home with your own hands, it is important to know that the bulkhead of this unit has nuances that depend directly on the type of column. For integrated speakers, timely lubrication is the key to reliable operation. It is more difficult with an integrated ball bearing column, where it is required to replace balls that have become unusable in time, which is warned by a creak that appears in the head tube and difficulties when turning the wheel.

Repairing your bike at home won't do without tuning the fork. It requires replacement of old oil, worn springs, pistons, oil seals. In addition to preventive or scheduled repairs, it is necessary to regularly clean anthers and feet from contamination. When starting repairs at home, you need to focus on not breaking the ring springs, which serve as a kind of protection against the penetration of dust and dirt particles into the plug.

Experts do not advise to start repairing this part of the bike with your own hands, knowing that the mechanism is delicate. It is more correct to entrust the bulkhead of cartridges to an experienced master. But it is advisable to carry out the current repair of the house yourself.

We recommend:

A transmission is understood as a set of assemblies and parts: cassette, chain, ratchet, speed switch. The bike chain is the second in line, requiring regular maintenance. If there is a special lock, then it is not difficult to remove the chain. If not, you will have to use a squeeze to help remove the chain easily. The rules for caring for this part include cleaning the chain from dirt, checking the tension and lubricating the rollers.

As with chain cleaning, systems are cleaned with special solvents. The main thing is not to disturb the installation of the sprockets during assembly: the middle pin should look at the carriage.

A set of rear sprockets, called a cassette, is also cleaned of dirt and dust using solvents. For this, a puller is used - a special device with which it is easier to remove and install cassettes even for a cyclist without experience.

The method is similar: industrial bearings are washed, then lubricated and returned to their original place. The balls of ball bearings are inspected for deformation, replaced (if damage is found), washed, installed in their original place, having previously lubricated. The mechanism of the bicycle, if the work is done correctly, will work better.

Since ride comfort is dependent on the proper functioning of the switches, they should be treated with special care: correctly adjust the feet, travel limiting screws, sprockets. In addition to the minimum of steps required for the bulkhead, timely lubrication of the torsion and tension springs of the rollers is needed. Added to this is cable tension control.

Despite the fact that integrated carriages, like cartridge ones, refer to non-separable structures, the carriages are disassembled for routine maintenance. It is important, when doing this at home with your own hands, to remember the location of the elements.

Since the shifters are a mechanism that experiences insignificant loads, it is enough for it to be serviced once a season. It consists in cleaning and replacing used lubricants. At the same time, attention should be paid to the cables: wipe with oil in order to get a smooth sliding inside the mechanism.

Belong to the brake system: brake levers, hydraulic lines, calipers.

Brakes guarantee the life of the owner of the bike. Therefore, you should not be convinced that they should be in order. This is impossible without regular maintenance, therefore, the brake system needs care in three directions: calipers, brake levers, brake fluid is pumped through the hydraulic lines.

At the first stage, the condition of the pistons is checked. Replace parts with new ones if necessary. It is easy to notice malfunctions in the operation of the calipers: they are evidenced by long and weak braking, as well as the failure of the handle. Solving the problem in eliminating the malfunctions that have appeared.

The brake lever has a primitive structure: body, piston, handle. The O-ring can cause complexity. If you can't repair it at home, contact the craftsmen who will replace the pistons and rings.

When repairing a bike at home, you will have to pump the brake fluid. This is normal for a bulkhead. The brake fluid must be homogeneous. If this property is lost, the brakes may malfunction, which is dangerous for the cyclist. A timely replacement guarantees the reliability of braking and the safety of the rider.

Despite their simplicity, the pedals are considered to be a delicate mechanism. And, since the load on them is significant, wear and tear occurs soon. It is easy to check the operation of the pedals, so it is recommended to do it at home with your own hands. After scrolling the pedals, watch how much they spin and stop quickly. If they stop soon, but spin slowly, lubrication is needed. The pedals are disassembled from the end, and sorted out according to the standard scheme for industrial and ball bearings.

In order not to tightly snap the shoes into the contact pedals, which creates inconvenience when driving, lubrication of the springs is mandatory for them.

Wheels are the most stressed part of the bike. This means that it requires the greatest attention. When going over a bicycle and doing repairs with your own hands, do not forget about the wheels, the good condition of which guarantees ride comfort and a long service life of the mechanisms.

It is often not necessary to sort out bushings with industrial bearings - it is enough to do it once in two seasons. Ball bearings require bulkheads more often - once a season with a bulkhead of balls, i.e. discarded worn and dents.

To gain weight, i.e. to reduce it, bicycle owners often choose less durable ones. But this is fraught with the appearance of the beating of the rims: figure eight (axial) and radial, when the shape of the rim resembles an egg. A special spoke wrench helps to fix the problem at home with your own hands: after removing the tire, the needles are pulled in the opposite direction to the curvature.

Important: When carrying out such a bike repair at home, the spokes must be loosened on the one hand, and tightened on the other, so that the wheels maintain normal rigidity.

Along with scheduled maintenance, unplanned breakdowns occur, called natural wear and tear. Parts that have become unusable must be replaced.

You need to pay attention to the following details:

Do-it-yourself bike repair at home will extend the life of the vehicle and make the ride safe and comfortable. Do-it-yourself bike repair at home for many is a way that helps to feel their worth and independence, it becomes an interesting hobby and useful.