Mountain bike maintenance

By fang_x on 10/2/2007

i am new to mountain biking, i purchased a somewhat older mountain bike, a giant Ac1 from 2001, for a pretty good price. any how it has marzocchi z1 drop off front suspension and stock rear suspension, as i am new to this can someone give me step by step instructions on how to maintain the bike. i know the basics like how to adjust the derialuers and tighten the bolts ^_^. but for the suspension is there any special things i should be looking for the maintenance of it?

also i probably should know this but what to the meanings of the terms, XC, xtc and others mean?

this is al ink to the revies of this bike http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Bike_full/product_74734.shtml

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Forum: Advice

Tags: front fork maintenance maintenance

1 comment

MikeG says:

Hey and welcome to the wonderful world of MTB.

I concentrate on the drive train, making sure I keep the chain clean and lubed. it is the part that takes the abuse, wear and tear. A happy chain keeps your cogs and chainrings happy too. Be sure to replace the chain when it is 'stretched', which means that 12 links is any longer than 12 and 1/16th inches. Any more and it starts to wear on your gears. A bike shop mechanic I talked to says he just replaces his chain every three months or so (depending on conditions and riding style) to make sure he maximizes the life of those other components.

Adjust your cables when the braking or shifting is not right, is probably the second most common part of maintenance.

I'm sure others will add to this entry as necessary, and books like "Zinn and the art of Mountain bike maintenance" is also a goldmine of good information.

XC is a short form for cross-country, a style of riding in flatter mountain-challenged areas, generally longer distances. Not sure what XTC means even though I own a Giant XTC, probably a variant of XC. Anybody know the answer to that one? Maybe it's "Xtreme Tactical Commando", I don't know.

Hope this helps.

MikeG

Either riding or Thinking of Riding... The madness of MTB, I love it!

by MikeG on October 4, 2007 - 1:08am reply Email this comment report misconduct

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