9 Mechanical Skills Everyone Should Know | Essential MTB Maintenance Skills

As mountain bikers we all need to have at least some basic mechanical skills to keep your bike in good shape. Here's Doddy with his essential MTB maintenance skills 🔧
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Using allen keys, changing a tyre and setting it up tubeless, adjusting your cockpit to your preference, setting up your suspension and gears correctly, servicing your dropper post and bleeding your brakes. These skills are all easy to learn and will help you become a self sufficient mountain biker!
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Watch more on GMBN Tech...
📹 Convert to tubeless here: gmbn.tech/HowToConvertToTubeless
📹 See what you can do with a multi tool here: gmbn.tech/Howfar
📹 Get perfect shifting here: gmbn.tech/perfect
📹 Install a dropper post here: gmbn.tech/dropperessentials
📹 Bleed Shimano brakes here: gmbn.tech/realtimebrake
📹 Bleed Sram brakes here: gmbn.tech/bleedingedge
If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link 👍 gmbn.tech/tR
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[@JG0929]

This dudes hair looks like he’s going fast even if he’s not on a bike.

[@savemankind738]

lol , your comment made my day , I was sitting here thinking is this a hair product advertisement

[@Kev5565]

The hair says fast but the moustache says slow.

[@curiousgeorge555]

He resembles Pete Townsend a bit. Seems like a great chap.

[@esinduhije1]

😂😂😂👌🏿

[@curiousgeorge555]

@TJ Thunder Haha, too funny!

[@stefromfortworth]

The only thing more expensive than not looking after your bike, is paying someone else to do it.

[@mrdudemanmwane8963]

I would say that doing it yourself is pretty close. I work at a shop and we make a lot of money fixing mistakes of the home mechanic

[@ThunderConker]

​@@mrdudemanmwane8963 Haha, it's the way around for me. I'm still an amateur, but I always need to fix my bike after it's returned from a big repair at the bicycle maker. Working on your bike needs to be done with time and love!

[@Kibbelingg]

@@mrdudemanmwane8963 I can believe that, but if those home mechanics learn from their mistakes and persist they will get good eventually and save money on the long run.

[@JZ-xu3vg]

I think it took like 33 hours to figure out how to properly adjust a break pad after taking it apart because it was loose... the mechanic is way cheaper.... sigh

[@flippy66]

I'd say not doing it is far more expensive. If you don't do it at all then that's going to cost you much more. Buying tools is also expensive, especially for parts you rarely need to get to. Better to take to a shop in that instance. Everything in this video is 101 basic.

[@AB-vt1cp]

When Doddy talks tech stuff why am I hypnotized?! PS: I'm an aircraft engineer and tech stuff is the back of my hand but this always gets me..

[@wendiadr583]

completely agree, even for non speaking english like me

[@ulukai_555]

Naaah that the 'stach effect, those things should never have come back. Well appart if you're working in the police. XD

[@winstonprovost9574]

I'm an AMT, similar story!

[@russelltaylor1500]

Yea mechanical fitter here but still find myself watching.....

[@davejohnson3474]

@@ulukai_555 he does look like a bent copper with that tash lol

[@johndoyle4723]

Thanks, I would add a tip about hex/allen keys, and indeed all spanners or wrenches if you prefer. Always think in advance what would happen if it slips, or shears etc where will your hands and fingers end up. Particularly working around gears and chain rings. Make sure a slip results in your hands falling away from danger points. Everyone who works with tools learns this the hard way, so avoid it from the start.

[@benjacobson7490]

also, clean off the bolts because the grit in them will erode your bolts and tools

[@sweeflyboy]

Haha I've always had a phobia of this

[@creekboi7]

I punched my brake rotor the other day.

[@1SyncGames]

@@creekboi7 punched the chainring the other day and needed 5 sitches, definitely be mindful of where your hand will go

[@notmyname4379]

Doddy: "Everything is easy, satisfying, or both!" Lol, I love his positivity.

[@AnnaMariaKonova]

I know I just watched a 15 minute advert but Doddy made it so entertaining

[@jesso.3614]

Thanks

[@Shaun-fj7rx]

Doddy is our bike Daddy!

[@simonm1447]

You don't have to buy the park tool stuff - beside this there are still good information in the video.

[@taxidermyboy]

Some years ago I started fixing things by myself. Stumbled on your videos while searching for information back then. Now there is almost nothing I can't fix myself (building wheels is still something a black art though). I have a quite old mountain bike, but tinkering with it makes it feel fresh and I wouldn't want to have another. Just want to thank this channel for inspiring and giving me information and confidence!

[@M3PH11]

6:56 Neither of my bikes came with a shock pump when they were brand new and when I upgraded the fork on my xc bike it also did not come with a pump. I had to get a Rockshox one from Amazon for £20

[@MrStevegregory]

I thought the same, perhaps only when you get given bikes too 😂

[@thxman1968]

Same, since he mentioned it I almost feel like I got shortchanged. Almost a 4k bike, but no pump :/

[@James-fg3ed]

I didn't get one and I have a good 500 dollar trail fork

[@James-fg3ed]

@@thxman1968 it maybe a country thing, like how some phones you can get in Europe have a case in the box but if you get the American version it doesn't come with one

[@aliens1990990]

@@MrStevegregory no its generally when its really expensive forks

[@davidking3699]

One tip for bleeding brakes... use elastic bands to hold the levers 'in' overnight... that normally forces any bubbles up out of the system. Also Doddy, get over to Blake's place and make his bike storage more secure...

[@andygilbert1877]

David King I do that , though I use a cable tie.

[@davidking3699]

@@andygilbert1877 Yep, works as well, but I think the rubber band has some give to save the seals being under pressure for 6-12 hours overnight, plus it does provide constant tension to ease the bubble up and out... a zip tie just holds it in one place but with no subtle load to activate the physics of it all...

[@cometahyakutake9375]

I am 52, and decided to fix my hybrid MTB from 1993. A gift from my mum. I gave up my car for a new lifestyle. Love tinkering with vintage sewing machines and the mechanics of things. This is a great new world. Thanks for the videos, they are all really helpful. I will experiment. My thought was exactly what you said: work without fear of breaking stuff or make mistakes, get better and improve components - until eventually I'll get a totally different bike! lol!

[@user-zu4nl7bm9e]

Hi, Doddy, welcome back to GMBN.

[@marcs4091]

One of the best mechanical skills to have as a mountain biker is, the ability to fix a broken chain like new in 5 minutes. Like everything else it takes a little bit of practice. When it's done correctly the place where you broke the chain is stronger. If anybody tells you that's a No-No it's because they're either trying to sell you a chain or they don't know how to do it correctly. Your chain is only as strong as its weakest link. That link is your master link if you use one. I've seen Master links rip in two. Been doing it that way for 30 years, broke my chain once in 10 years. And it was because something got caught in it. My recommendation is to get an Old chain and practice.

[@weezerblink194]

Man im glad I found this guys channel. I woke up this morning and my tire was flat. I was like noooooooooo!. Then I noticed my tire was a tubeless tire so I of course get on youtube and look up how to replace them and I find the "how to repair tubeless tyres" video. After watching, I figure out that all I have to do is air up my tire, spin it a few times and its repaired. Checked back a little later and its holding the psi. This guy saved me from buying a whole new tire for no reason because im a dumb dumb and bought a crazy expensive trek bike without knowing anything about bikes. Now im binge watching all GMBN Tech videos and holy crap, I had no idea there was so much that go into MTB maintenance. Thankfully, GMBN Tech exist.

[@BartAnderson_writer]

I appreciate the enthusiasm and encouragement. "Good fun," "Dead simple."

[@neuregel]

For years i shuttled my bikes to the bike shop. A year ago, I bought a bike stand and every paycheck i would buy a tool or tool set and with the help of KZbin over the course of the year with proper tools for the job I've taught myself. I can now remove install cups unthread and regrease my bottom bracket and change if necessary. Do simple things like chain or change rear cassette or front chainring.... Recently swapped front fork cut and installed ⭐ nut. Saves so much time and 💰 and i love my MTB even more!

[@walterlafleur8961]

"There is nothing better than clean shifting." Just the thought gets me excited. :-D

[@HUSKY7-1]

Just spent a sunny morning sat in the garden putting patches on some innertubes the ‘old fashioned’ way. Totally agree with it being very therapeutic.

[@rubbersidedown1356]

While you spent your sunny morning in the garden patching innertubes I spent my overcast morning shredding 20 miles on my tubeless setup. Stay shreddy.

[@Mark-gd5vr]

@@rubbersidedown1356 no one cares

[@PhaktTheIsolationist]

If you find your Hex nut has rounded off inside, a torque bit of the same size will generally grip it in the corners and free the nut up. Just for anyone that finds themselves in a bind.

[@phillrobinson9795]

Fixing bikes is cool!! I am coming back to sanity following a mental health episode and, as I was afraid to go outside riding, buying old bikes, bike bits, then rebuilding them got me through some dark days.

[@BMH1965]

@05:20 TIP 1: put the tyre on with the centre of the maker's name at the location of the valve - this way you can trace the location of any intrusion and/or damage to the wheel far easier (especially if you have inner tubes). TIP 2 (and 3): get a bike stand for set-up and maintaining the bike - and use the stand clamp on the seat post (this is the least expensive part to replace if you break it by over-tightening the clamp).

[@arthurthain2507]

Mtbs always have tires..... me: remembers Sam pilgrims vid of him shredding his jump bike with no tyres 😂😂

[@xandersaliba7794]

Nice. Well I learnt something today. Nice work doddy

[@bikerepairs8867]

I read that as daddy lol

[@dvg716]

Simon Chipling i always do lol

[@lukecooper1993]

@@bikerepairs8867 same here lol I was just sat there crying with laughter

[@joselitopolanco3323]

Thank you very much for sharing this video.

[@mylesfairhurst9226]

I was New to mtb at Christmas get my first ever mtb a giant talon 3 how ever I have made loads of upgrades and it has made a better for it using Components that are more expensive than the initial payment for the bike however it is now so good I am am so pleased and due to the GMBN team I have made all the maintenance and how to do builds much easier on my bike so keep up the work GMBN team

[@IronMurrKat]

Absolutely LOVE these videos!!!! Thank you for making bike maintenance approachable for the novice home mechanic!!!

[@durgo67]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@andreivalentin165]

Incredible video. Can't wait to start the next MTB project

[@alisdairfyfe7175]

such a useful video, nothing felt too complex or over my head. Thank you GMBN Tech!

[@mikebillets9671]

Great video! Thx

[@guillermoqueirolo6533]

Great progamme!! thanks to show the descriptions👍

[@joseph11835]

Thank goodness for you guys, i've learned so much. I moved to Colorado, got a bike and all of your content has really set me up for success. Cheers!

[@felisagatuna6257]

Great topic!! Very encouraging! Thanks

[@rileygray195]

Thanks for this! I avoid bike shops because my local store took a month to unscrew a front axle, so this should help with my servicing

[@hendrixinfinity3992]

RJ the Bike guy and Park Tool for the nitty gritty, GMBN/GCN tech, Berm Peak and Spindatt for big picture stuff.

[@vinnycleary6427]

Love this guy. Makes everything easier

[@osvaldovegacasanova3559]

Thank you Doddy, great video !

[@scz9048]

thanks for the tips!

[@todddouglas7983]

Thanks Doddy, Todd here, from philadelphia pa, usa. just got back into mt. biking 2 years ago. Last time I really mtb biked was the 80s. diamondback apex with shimano dx groupset, rigid. Bike got stolen outside gfs house, and I still married her. shoulda got a new bike. Now, just got first fs bike. Nukeproof reactor exp. al 27.5 wow. just wow. Really enjoy your work. very helpful to this 56 yr old newbie! loved the vid of you and parktool stash man talking about newer tech in mtb biking. Thanks brother doddy, toddy.

[@johnreese3762]

Great info, thanks!

[@Jmastarasta]

Man great stuff doddy really helpful video and just brings it home to really trying and building up your own skills. 🤙🏼

[@clintnieves]

Always a great show Doddy

[@floppydisk1137]

I learned all from my first bike that was stolen. 😥 scott voltage YZ30. RIP.

[@jamesboulton5636]

F 😔😔😢. I feel for you

[@richyoung503]

Mountain Bike Addict would one Google search really be that hard?

[@chefdtwisteddishes1824]

thank you!

[@nosreuter]

Doddy, you're an legend, thank you 🙏

[@sutusmihaly]

..hey doddie..just wanted to thank you for your way of sharing your technical skills with us..its always inspiring..you and your guys at GMBN got me back to mtb after almost 26 yrs ❤️ great job..great videos..a lot of fun with you..keep on riding 🖤 🖤 🖤

[@diegodegodoisoares9214]

Excellent video Dude! Best of luck here from brazil!

[@JJ-qo2sk]

Thanks Doddy! Really informative for a newbie biker like me.. biketowork frontliner..

[@ralexlu]

Thanks a lot, Doddy!

[@marchood99]

Can agree more on doing a build its great fun and the best bit is steping back and just taking in what you have done. 👍👍👍

[@MrChilensko]

Nice!! Thanks and regards from Spain.

[@sam.wootton]

Really good video - thank you.

[@fahering]

Great video, Doddy! Chapeau!

[@gabrielborota]

That's a outstanding bike's channel! Good job! From brazil

[@garyhamman8934]

Good encouragement, "something to aspire to" is a good way to communicate the very tricky business of maintaining ones mountain bike. Being a bike tech myself at my city's bike collective, where I volunteer, and work on retro bike to get them back on the trails for the community. "Rewind" bikes roll in every day as donations. Thank you! I find your tech show helps bring my skills up to date. Keep ur wrench clean! Good day!

[@stevepratt9535]

Another great video Doddy !

[@007CCIM]

Excellent GMBN Tech !!!

[@Kievlar]

This is video is something! So much encouragement for a newbie like me. Months ago I learned how to fix a punctured tube on my bike. Two weeks ago, I learned how to replace my worn out brake pads. I want to learn how to index my mech soon (which I still outsource to my mechanic)!

[@Devast8r34]

Yall are amazing thank yall

[@cosmincostea8386]

Thanks i learn a lot of things , thanks again , Best regards Cosmin !

[@lewismccurrach7083]

Inspiring stuff

[@newttella1043]

Doddy: "...like bleeding a radiator at home". Me: my forced air heating system is why I fail at brake bleeds.

[@Louie_c_29]

The Topeak ratchet set is so good I use it every day

[@williamroberge3696]

I really enjoy the videos thanks so much for your help signing out from Middleboro Mass USA

[@ExcelInstructor]

5:30 - bridge setup - I was against gpoing lower with it 1 more cm... and this time THANK YOU my laziness, i forgot 1 spacer and i ended up without that 1 cm spacer, and that small distance was all i needed for more agreesive posture and now i climbed 30% faster then usual on 1 specific uphill travel... So yeah... experiment with your bar setup and with bridge (stem) heigh going 0.5cm lower every few rides and compaare your results.

[@sevenravens]

I just carry the exact size tools I need for my bike on the trail, 2 Allan heads and a 8” Crescent wrench.

[@jdwells7233]

Hammer on Doddy

[@rayred74]

Good edit Doddy, pitched kindly at newbies

[@foxhound123456789]

As someone new to the world of MTB in their 30’s this is some great advice that I’d probably be a bit embarrassed to ask of mates! Great videos for a complete novice!

[@kgraja8704]

very good

[@david029014]

Great vid!

[@rupedog]

Cuppa tea and watch some tech...love it !

[@alanduren6326]

good job doddy a wonderful video

[@doomracing5527]

Good stuff as always Doddy. I can do most if not all work on my bike, but i have learned 2 things from watchin GMBN. 1) I FEEL BEING 58 and have my ackes and pains i decided to get a new helmet. I ordered a POC like yoiguys ware. Not full face but the tactel. I want more than what my giyro gives. 2) i got the samegrips you all use. They feel great. Keep up the good work. Maybe a video on adjusting mechanical disk breaks.

[@Tony_Seed]

Yes torque specs are important ! I didn’t think so until I snapped a $60 thru axle clean in half right behind the threads the day before a ride

[@iainrossiter758]

Brilliant 👌

[@NDemanuele1]

Very helpful video! I normally just drop off my bike at the shop bi-annually for a tuneup and upgrades, etc. Now, that I'm sheltering in place, and just bought a new bike ( Ripmo) and have time on my hands, I have more time to learn. As Doddy stated, it is very satisfying to learn how to do things on your own. I really want to learn how to do the brakes and drivetrain. I have to admit, I'm a bit scared of F'ing something up though, with more technical stuff. Such as replacing the bottom bracket, or anything else that is attached directly to the frame. These bikes are damn expensive to purchase, and damaging something such as the frame is gonna cost you even more!..LOL. I guess I just have to be careful. The shop I go to has a real nice staff so they could advise me, and if I'm really lost, they don't charge much...LOL. I think it would be cool to build a bike from the ground up! Eventually.......

[@cameronlesley2428]

An absolute essential video , thanks

[@renjisama4630]

Cameron Lesley I aggree 200%

[@GFClocked]

This is so good I wish I watched it a while ago.

[@caramba10]

Note the discreet Muc-off product placement - oh wait!

[@KulvinderMatharuPro]

Even the rim tape!

[@fooboomoo]

And Canyon

[@madmaxsingletrack848]

Great stuff! I'd love to see a video about rebuilding cup and cone style front and rear hubs. Also one about servicing the rear cassette.

[@newttella1043]

Seems like Shimano hubs are the only ones with cup and cone bearings these days. But repacking bearing is a good skill to practice as I think that's why my Shimano hubs can last, oh going on 25 years now.

[@paddy1991]

Get a set of Torx and Alan key 3/8 ratchet set. You can get a long ratchet to give you great leverage. Use a mallet and a socket to shock loose seized bolts.

[@daltonphillips9638]

I love this channel and you Doddy, I love bikes they are the best thing ever and I aspire to become a bike mechanic and this channel helps me and others out so much. 🤘🏼

[@williamroberge3696]

My sag was set correct at the shop on my new bike.however after 3 months i was not pleased w the shock bottoming often.and extra 50 psi solved this problem.

[@ravindhanathanpanayan4172]

You da man Doddy!!

[@grantwallace1882]

I loved building up my Cove Hummer. It truly is MY bike.

[@doubleL_S]

I'm glad I've never tried to maintain my bike. I do wonder how long it will last though. Once something breaks I'll just take it for a full service. Helps the community as well by paying someone to do it for you.

[@mdrobiuleislam8913]

Thanks a lot Sir, from Bangladesh.

[@gmbntech]

Glad you found this useful! Safe Riding! 👍

[@lauriewessel5978]

i loved this vid, i learned so much

[@louisbriscoe2627]

It lasts 15 minutes and it's been out for 2

[@archieansell9160]

Louis Briscoe exactly. How can he have any idea???

[@paddor]

I'm right before skill #9!!! I'm really thinking about building a bike from the ground up. I still love my Propain Tyee from 2018, but sometimes I wish I had a dirt jumper to do more hopping and pump track stuff. What are good dirt jump frames for a 6'2 (188cm) guy?

[@tykel3738]

This helped me alot thanks guys!!! Enjoy ur day everyone!

[@archieansell9160]

U can’t even have watched it...?

[@davidprice1074]

It’s been out for two minutes

[@tykel3738]

Mountain Bike Addict 🤦‍♂️😂👍

[@gregknipe8772]

good work doddy!

[@gregknipe8772]

encouraging people to experiment and get to know the cockpit, etc, getting people to push a bit forward and know the mechanicals. it applies too life as well.

[@juntams4263]

thanks for this video 👍🇵🇭

[@joshporter5773]

I tend to stay anyway from the free Allen keys. I used One to tighten my lock on grips and I stripped out the Allen key... not the head of the grub screw. But the whole damn key

[@ClaudiuB]

I already started upgrading my « old » mtb. It’s a univega frame with shimano brakes and gears and I wanted to change my tires. 27,5x2,10. First mistake, I ordered two continental cross king tires with size 27,5x2,8. On the front it fits perfectly but on the rear side not at all, it scratches the frame and I had to sell the second one. Now two rainy weeks will come and I plan to strip my bikes, clean them, lube them, and maybe paint some of the scratched parts. One thing I am curious is if you made a video on how to lube the front suspension (I have a hardtail). Cheers

[@amychinlai4249]

I first see soo detail all make me know first Good !

[@BMH1965]

@01:55 That 'Toppeak' tool is a PoS - I have one. There are better multi-tools. The racket tool at 03:00 looks like a good idea.

[@ianturner2505]

Still paying the price for not fidddling around with push bikes when i was a lad. However, i only just now (at55) starting to educate myeslf through You Tube with channels like this guys . 🚲

[@stephtraveler7378]

Brilliant as always! First suggestion was the best...go slow when doing maintenance.

[@christopherarmstrong2710]

GMBN rocks! Thanks for continuing to put out this high quality content, guys! (still cherishing my ‘Freak Week’ print signed by Neil, which I bought almost exactly two years ago from today)

[@uswwt]

I just bought a Giant Trance 3. I didn't get a suspension pump with it. Either things are different in the UK or my local bike shop took the pump :)

[@alfredlazarol3894]

Like yuo said its satisfaction,,,joy