6 Things Every Mountain Biker Should Know About Their Bike | MTB Maintenance

Although Mountain Bike maintenance can be simple at times, there are a few simple tricks that everyone should know about their bike. Some of these even experienced mechanics can forget sometimes...
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Tightening Pedals:
Remember pedals always tighten to the front of your bike when it's upright and we would always advise un-doing your pedals with the bike like this to avoid smashing your knuckles on your chain ring!
Disc Brakes:
Remember if your brakes are rubbing, loosen the calliper bolts, turn the wheel a bit, grab the brake and then tighten the bolts up again. Works a charm.
Quick Release:
Two main modern types, FOX and Rock Shox. Both work in similar ways, just remember to adjust your axle to avoid the lever sticking out at awkward angles.
Removing the Rear Wheel:
If you have a clutch mech, remember to turn it off. Put the chain in it's smallest sprocket and remove the axle. Then pull the mech back and pull the wheel down.
Seat Collar:
Remember not to over tighten your seat post clamp or you can damage the frame, if you have a dropper post, over tightening the clamp can cause damage to the internals.
Brake Spacers:
Brake Spacers are great to keep your hands on. If you are transporting your bike with the wheels off, it can be easy to press the lever and ruin your piston set up. Keep a spacer in and you can work on your bike worry free!
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Leave us a comment below!

[@ElDaumo]

I dont know how i found your channel. When i discovered it, I didnt even have a bike. Thanks to you, three weeks ago I finally got my first real mountainbike and it is the best thing i bought in ages! Thanks so much guys!!

[@kevinhowley1586]

karottenkoenig congrats dude

[@stanger5283]

karottenkoenig gute Wahl.

[@MrLiquidxIce]

Where do you go riding ?

[@OMGaBALLOON]

Enjoy it!

[@dookie3453]

Same here

[@andyjack37]

Doddy's cool; straightforward, clear and precise instructions. Even I can follow

[@dickmcwienersonIII]

I wish these kind of videos had existed when I started biking.

[@rhysewin8642]

Daniel W Thank god I just started 😂

[@pojepoje4054]

i wish they invented the internet when I started biking XD

[@Algorithm347]

It was in mountain bike magazines 😋

[@rt-ik7ik]

I wish internet existed back then ;) . I did really struggle to get the back wheel out the first time cause of not having the gear in the smallest sprocket (is that correct, never used the english word?).

[@dickmcwienersonIII]

Yeah, I just looked at the pictures and the giant price tags wondering who can afford these super expensive machines they are recommending. As a teen with no money gmbn and gcn bike recommendations are just useless. The tech stuff is awesome though.

[@mattmcubs]

1. 0:11 Pedals 2. 1:55 Disc Brakes 3. 3:00 Quick Release 4. 5:26 Removing the Rear Wheel 5. 7:10 Seat Collar 6. 7:42 Brake Spacers

[@vonpupees]

7:02 that drive chain needs some love

[@lucasdejong254]

vonpupees go give it a hug

[@sthr2110]

Lucas de Jong A hug...or a tug?

[@bobthebuilder2922]

why not mug?

[@rolux4853]

Or a fug?

[@guesslie4361]

@@rolux4853 maybe even a wug

[@malezacaminante9577]

2:40 noo dont touch my brake disks

[@quez.designs]

Sir Doddy I'm glad you are now part of the GMBN team. I'm a fan way back from reading your magazine articles at MBUK. Your technical knowledge and tips are one of the best in the industry. A treasure trove of technical tips for cyclist who are DIYers on maintaining their own machines. Thank you.

[@nippecs5903]

My 500€ bike has a little warning text that says it is not made for downhill racing, off-road and aggressive riding 😂 fuck the sign i do what i want

[@DanielSvids]

XD

[@ApfelmannYT]

NippeOfficial same here xD

[@dicksplatts007]

NippeOfficial my brothers did and he did same as you, let's just say that bike is no more

[@illuminaticonfirmed7663]

Hahaha Dude my bike have this little warning text and i fuck it xD i ride very aggressive tracks and some enduro on hardtail and have lot of fun from this xDD

[@nippecs5903]

Illuminati Confirmed yep me too :D

[@Koldsmith]

Well damn, I kept having an issue with my rear brake rubbing, I knew about squeezing the lever and tightening the bolts but I'd never tried rolling the wheel forward. This has eliminated the rub totally. Also, I had no idea that my SRAM rear derailleur had a lock on it so that's SUPER helpful too. I've been fighting the mech everytime I took the wheel off to load the bike into the car. Mega helpful video!

[@briandrum4406]

I've been riding a year,I've been watching you guys for about 7 months,you are great i watch your how to videos and when i ride i have those videos in my head and it really works,had my 4th accident and i dislocated and fractured my thumb and cut my right arm open,got right back up on the horse and went faster,oh ya I'm also 55 years old.

[@wavyrc8985]

I'm 4 years late but good on you mate 💪🏾

[@gregknipe8772]

viewing this reprise this morning, recalling how many years I have enjoyed your show, and connection it gives me to my bike at times like right now, I'm not riding, and I am thinking about what I can do to my bike. remembering my connection to it and the fun it brings every time I see it.

[@mortonfrankfire5400]

I had a total light bulb moment when you demoed the lock button on the SRAM mech. I’m sure most people knew that but for me, it’s possibly changed my life lol

[@respectablebogan3276]

Pleasure watching you work bro

[@ZOB4]

That Jockey Wheel has seen better days at 7:02-7:07

[@ModifiedMyers]

z.browning serious shark toothing going on there

[@alfiecartwright9655]

Yes I agree

[@raceteamgui871]

GMBN, your videos are amazing. Not only helpful and informative, but also entertaining whilst remaining professional. Your hard work is much appreciated and enjoyed.

[@happyhermit4702]

Thanks for the tip! Been riding new bike for the last 7 months with the rock shox lever pointing forward - fixed:)

[@collinrohwer1790]

Finally! A relevant, info packed and useful video for mid-experience riders alike! Nice job, thanks!

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Great information guys, nice video! ~Brian at Fanatik

[@activelives]

Doddy is a great presenter, relaxed and well prepared, good work!

[@MrSketchyCharacter]

I'm so glad I saw this. I have been fighting my chain and derailleur every time I remove my rear wheel for years!

[@dirtbagjoe9884]

AWESOME video Doddy!!

[@joelong3598]

I'm always struggling when I have to remove and put back on the rear wheels because of the derailleur. The tip about locking the derailleur should make it a lot easier!!

[@TangoOne]

Nice tip on remembering which way pedals tighten! The method I used in the past was "the right hand side of the bike is right hand thread"

[@billwelch9431]

Man, I learn something every time I watch your vids. Great stuff.

[@Sascha-rj6vi]

This disc trick is pure gold! One of the most annoying problems solved in an instant. Thanks.

[@andrearota2976]

Simple things but very very useful. Thanks for sharing!

[@ridingwiththereids]

I ride a Kona Lava Dome, and my wife rides a Felt Virtue 4. Thanks to you guys we applied for some credit with a local bike shop and are looking to dump $3 into some new bikes here soon. We took our first mountain biking trip last weekend to a place here in Alaska called Girdwood and fell in love! Love your videos man!! Keep up the good work!

[@kingnone6656]

I love how gmbn always has the most basic of bottle cages on the bikes.

[@bengreenwood1734]

You guys are amazing at what you do, it has to be said. Brilliant channel.

[@scottwhitfield1456]

Very useful tips! Thanks!

[@sudeepdhital2863]

Very informative, little things that matters everyday. Presentation is as always excellent.

[@GoncaloSantosHit]

Great info! Im Starting with MTB and doing my Maintenance!

[@psyCodEd]

great videos and tutorials you present here. perfect for beginners. many thanks

[@ceecrb1]

This video possibly just saved my neck. After watching I went to check and adjust my rockshox qr and the lever just snapped off in my hand (no, not over tightening). I owe gmbn beers!!!

[@maurer_media]

Glad your on the GMBN team man, like the videos you'r making!

[@juliandlamb]

Really grateful for this sort of quality info.

[@mishraamukesh]

Very informative. Thanks

[@mtbikeclown]

One of the best yet!

[@gtflyer]

Very useful info..nicely done Doddy..

[@screew708]

Wow what a beautiful paintjob on that Canyon Spectral CF... Wish I could have ordered mine in that colour...

[@aaron1561]

How the gmbn presenters are right know it is the best, Andrew for mechanical problems , Neal for racing faster and so on , and Blace for the style on the bike .👍👍👍💪

[@esly]

Qr lever helped alot , never knew what those numbers meant . Thanks dudes!

[@jesusmejia3910]

Thank you. That was great information

[@timc2832]

I never see this guy ride come on we need to see this guys skills !!!!!!!!!!!

[@bladingat5012]

T1 Why, you don't see a Formula one mechanic drive the racecar, but he sure as shit could build it from scratch better than the driver could.😂😂

[@truckpilot01]

This guy is actually pretty badass on a mountain bike. Look through their videos

[@stephensmith8306]

Great videos dude

[@yuurishibuya4797]

You guys are awesome, I have learnt a lot for your videos.

[@stephengoh5456]

Fantastic! Love it. Thank you.

[@Yusufmasron]

thanks for the tips

[@rob.ny-la]

I have a trek fuel ex7 and I get every bit of this useful even if it’s basic..gnar dude

[@steveindorset]

Doddy is always very knowledgeable. 👍

[@xcharlie15]

Great vid.Thanks

[@timinator83]

Liking all your videos Learning a lot with my Giant Fathom, without having to take to the dealer for servicing

[@romainlepinoy9964]

A massive like for this video ! Thanks for the tips about loosening/tightening pedals and also about adjusting tension on Maxle axles. :-) Even if it seems a bit more "hack", I'll keep centering my brakes with playing cards as taught by Scotty !

[@zulvalor7266]

Brilliant 👏this is best video for beginners

[@secretsquirrel4137]

Top tips cheers guys!

[@mikieson]

Good video Doddy.

[@DanielSvids]

Nice tips

[@ericwalls4930]

hugely useful for me ..danka!

[@alextanase9610]

Thank you for showing me a way to calibrate my disk brakes, finally no more annoying noises! :)

[@DE-gb3wq]

Cool video! Learned something today :)

[@righteousone8454]

I love your tutorials, bro I learned a ton by watching your videos about servicing my own bike.

[@gmbn]

Great to hear Timur! Thanks for watching 🤘

[@mysticgaming3594]

I'm in love with my new mountain bike-thanks huts!😁😁😁

[@ubersbygaming535]

Making a video simular to this soon thx so much helps a lot

[@joshparker9830]

3/4 of the people who watch this including me can't afford a bike anywhere near these bikes

[@dicksplatts007]

josh parker I hear that, I'm currently doing bast I can on a 1999 gt and to be fare it takes it like a hooker

[@joshparker9830]

dicksplatts007 ah I'm on a 2011 hardtail but I love it I upgraded the forks and it takes every bump like ice but I'd love a bike like they have !

[@c120xy]

To be honest their bikes aren't all that, mine is a very simikar build, 170mm travel enduro frame, fox 36's, float x rear, full xt, only came in at £3k delivered, it's just a case of how well you can save I guess guys 😂

[@robert72101993]

Richard Painter £3k in Poland is 6.5 times average monthly salary (Thats about £450).

[@rogerneilson815]

U really don't need to spend top dollar to do top riding, the gains are measurable but marginal. A $2k (£1.5k) Trance will do an amazing job and u can slowly upgrade over time

[@mrPauljacob]

Beautiful bike you got there

[@a.m.a.b147]

Good job to the new dude 👍

[@motogp9253]

YOU GUYS ROCK!

[@jackmullan505]

8:00 life hack, if you can't get a spacer or don't have one, use a lollypop stick and put tape around it to hold it in place.

[@budabead]

Some very useful stuff in here, thanks for the upload as always! but i have got to say.... Doddy you're a savage! 02:43

[@brightsparkz3]

nice workshop !

[@Roush87]

This is very helpful. My dad is a professional road bike/cross country mountain bike racer and I think he will learn a thing or too.

[@aidenrobertson947]

I just bought a carrera hellcat and it’s the best thing I’ve ever got I love mountain biking even though I know nothing about it

[@lucaskik9866]

Aiden Robertson i thought you meant the cars, so i was here like “wtf are you talking”😂😂

[@aydin7653]

Related with brake caliper : actualy there is no need to undo the caliper itself you need to reposition pistons or check your brake pads position or check the rotor itself . Well locked caliper never moves around .so consider bad moving or unequal moving of pistons and solve this problem .

[@Moriarty18]

The disc brake rub tip, my mouth literally dropped open. I always went about that adjustment painfully, you can imagine how...Thank you.

[@migatron1]

I still don't understand why the titles always read in a Yoda like manner ? "Know about your bike, 6 things you should"

[@FonixFire]

I just use a 29 inch bike I bought from Walmart 4 years ago for 500usd. I'm gonna keep the frame and upgrade the rest. Just finish a complete overhaul of the bearings, making the tires true and fixed the breaks. Runs like a baby :) Hitting the trails tomorrow.

[@sharmaLlama]

Nice watch bro..👍😁

[@gursisingh1940]

you should do this stuff and demonstrations on more common cheaper bikes such as entry level hardtails like the voodoo or carrera ones

[@sammaskell612]

Totalled my first bike due to lack of maintenance, wish there were videos like this when I got into it

[@TechERni]

How about the SR Suntour Thru-Axle system.I really like it.

[@markk8124]

Nice watch!

[@aidenrobertson947]

I know nothing about mountain bike maintenance so I bought a book on amazon about maintenance so I’ll try it

[@Cesium67]

Great channel!! Getting sick of the commercialization on the other MTB channels. It’s all about THEM and money.

[@sumnerbob2254]

I like how Doddys just sitting on his tyres xD

[@thepelvis]

Awesome vid! :-)

[@Cyber_Kriss]

0:14 THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JonGarrood]

Quick, easy, to the point without the bullshit, cheers

[@falllinemaniac]

I'm all about the Syntace hex through bolts. Nobody can swipe it, there's a hooligan in the neighborhood who takes every through axle he can.

[@Hazeder422]

If for whatever reason you have bmx cranks and pedals the non drive cranks is reverse thread so anti-clockwise is tighten and clockwise is loosen, just a btw

[@davidschram5016]

2 things I thought I'd never see. 1) Doddy touching a brake rotor with his bare hand (2:43 ) , and 2) Gunk build up on his drivetrain (7:01) . Just teasin' ya Doddy...as always, thanks for the useful info!

[@smoothitalianleathereater6045]

Don't you love how all these bike maintenance videos are on like Canyons and stuff. Like "what? Oh this old thing? Nah mate, totally normal, everyone has these."

[@billc7211]

On the seat post, don't just use any old grease - you need to pick the right one depending on your materials. On my road bike, (yeah I have one of those too) I have a carbon seat post and carbon frame, so I use the anti-slip carbon compound like fiber-grip or whatever it's called. And, definitely use a torque wrench not to over-tighten in that instance. I tried using regular grease once and was pretty much sitting on the frame by the end of the ride because the seat just slid down. Definitely not the right stuff and had to clean it all off the post and out of my frame before putting in the friction paste. On my Al mountain bike, regular grease works fine.

[@TeodorKubena]

Ive never seen these type of clips until gmbn. Ive seen clasic shimano clips (i even have ones), but never this design.

[@rebeticstone]

that bottle cage on the spectral

[@andresgallego5632]

Love your videos, man. Keep up the good work!

[@Stuuriaan]

I've actually asked Santa Cruz what the torque spec was for the seatpost collar on my V10.4, but they didn't even have it! Santa Cruz said that I couldn't really crack it and the torque spec is up to the seatpost itself and not the frame.

[@teunsepp6012]

2:44 Why does he touch the rotor that can cause an headache in the system

[@stevenwoodson9260]

What direction should your rear quick release face? I've seen forward and back, I tend to think back.

[@Dr4g0nW00d]

i cleaned and lubericated my seat collar i always hearing crack noise found it was sand in the bolt and the tighten system cleaned lubed and gone was the noise

[@l34052]

Whenever I travel with my bike I slot a 2p coin between the pads and hold it in place with a piece of insulation tape, cheap and effective every time.