Budget mountain bikes are better than ever these days, but there are a number of setup adjustments that you can make to ensure you're getting the most out of your entry-level steed.
It’s easy to buy a bike from a shop (or online), hit the trails and assume everything is how it should be – but there’s always room for improvement. Regular maintenance, once you've got your setup sorted, is essential too.
If you’re new to mountain biking, then the following tips will help you improve your bike setup and keep it working smoothly, without spending a lot of money on doing so.
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1. Adjust your gears – they should shift, not skip
Naturally, the gears on cheaper bikes won’t shift as smoothly or quickly as those on more expensive options, but they should still shift accurately. If your gears aren’t staying in the right place, then you need to have them adjusted. Your local bike shop should be able to help with this. More often than not inaccurate shifting is caused by cable tension or cable friction (because of rust, dirt, and so on), but there can be other factors at play.
It’s also very easy to bend the derailleur hanger – the piece that connects the rear derailleur to the frame – if you're not careful. To avoid doing this, always make sure you lean and transport your bike with the driveside pointing upwards with nothing resting on it. If your shifting is poor even after correctly adjusting it, have a shop check the hanger alignment too.
2. Don’t assume the stock saddle is right
Stock saddles are better these days, but it's still a highly personal item, and what's comfortable for one person might not necessarily be comfortable for another. If you don't find your saddle comfortable, chances are it's not the right one for you and you need to replace it. This needn't be expensive and plenty of good bike stores offer saddle demo programs that let you try before you buy.
3. Ditch the plastic pedals
4. Get a (good) grip
5. Sort your tyres
6. Fit a chainstay protector
7. Set your handlebar height to suit you
8. Look after your chain
9. Upgrade your quick-release
10. Keep your seals happy
11 Don't skimp on servicing
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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