If you're bringing your own bike to Mammoth this summer, don't wait until you're halfway up a climb to find out something's wrong. Here are five signs our mechanics see most often that mean your bike needs attention before you hit the trail.
If you squeeze the brake lever and it feels soft, or it takes longer than it should to stop, your brake pads may be worn or your brake fluid may need bleeding. Squealing usually means the pads are glazed or worn down. On Mammoth's descents, this isn't something to ignore.
A well-tuned drivetrain should shift cleanly with one click. If you're hearing grinding, the chain is skipping between gears, or you have to shift twice to get where you want, your derailleur is likely out of adjustment or your cables have stretched.
Grab your front brake and rock the bike forward and back. Any clunking or play usually means the headset needs adjustment. A creak or looseness when you pedal hard can point to the bottom bracket. Both are simple fixes if caught early, but can cause bigger damage if ridden on too long.
Low tire pressure affects how your bike handles, especially on loose or rocky terrain. Cracked sidewalls or bald tread mean it's time for new tires before you're relying on them for a technical descent.
If your bike hasn't seen a mechanic in a season, or you can't remember the last tune-up, that's a sign on its own. Regular tune-ups catch small issues, like a stretched chain or a loose spoke, before they turn into an expensive repair or a bike that fails you mid-trail.
If any of this sounds familiar, bring your bike into our shop. Our mechanics work on mountain bikes, road bikes, and e-bikes, and we can usually get a standard tune-up done quickly so you're not losing a day of riding. Learn more about our bike repair services and pricing.
Footloose Sports offers full-service bike repair and tune-ups all summer long, first come first served. Check out our bike repair page for services and pricing, or stop by our shop on Main St in Mammoth Lakes and we'll take a look.