**Things to do when you get a new mountain bike** Now that you have some spare time, how about a little Spring upkeep?
• Check out the BKXC sweatshirt:
• My new bike:
• Rockshox Trailhead App:
• 1/8” Tape: (Affiliate link)
• 3M Tub Tread: (Affiliate link)
• OneUp Components Chain Guide / Bash Guard: (Affiliate link)
• MTBR.com forums:
✲✲ Keeping track of stuff ✲✲
• Start a new note in your favorite note-taking software. Even if it’s pen and paper. I like Notes on the Mac because it syncs in the cloud so I can change things on my phone instantly and it all stays updated.
• Take photos of the serial numbers of various parts. Typing them into the notes is probably a good idea too. If your bike gets stolen and the cops recover it, you’ve gotta be able to prove it’s your bike.
• If your bike gets stolen and it’s not recovered, then you will want a full inventory of the parts on your bike for insurance purposes. When my bike was stolen back in 2016 I was able to show my receipt and they gave me money to replace the bike. They didn’t give me the price of the bike I bought, they gave me money to buy a replacement at current market prices.
• I built a spreadsheet so you guys could see all the parts I put on my bike, which makes it easy to share and modify.
• I also went into Strava and added my bike AND all the parts. This takes a few minutes to do, but I think it’s really worth it if you’re logging all your rides. According to Strava I put 1,000 miles on my old Ripmo. I would have no clue how many miles I rode on it without Strava.
• Read your bike's instruction manual, as you’ll probably learn something. Ibis has a ton of details on the Ripmo site, including default tunes for the Fox suspension that comes with build kits.
• Screenshot or keep a link to torque specs from your bike's spec sheet.
✲✲ Suspension setup ✲✲
• I’ve got my new bike so I’ve gotta start from scratch. Rockshox has this new Trailhead app to help get you started.
• I’m going to save my suspension settings in my note. How many PSI is in the fork or shock. How many clicks you’ve got. How many volume spacers.
✲✲ Touchpoint setup ✲✲
• Use ⅛” tape to set and mark positions.
• Set and mark saddle height
• Set and mark handlebar roll
• Set and mark brake lever position
• Set and mark seat rail position
✲✲ Spare parts list ✲✲
• Order up the parts that you know you will eventually consume or destroy. I always keep an extra set of brake pads, tires and a chain on hand. Two derailleur hangers as well. I already had to replace this one because it was damaged in shipping at some point.
• Brake pads. Shimano has a bunch of different things now, it’s NOT as simple as saying “I need XT brake pads”. Pull out your current pads and look for a model number.
✲✲ Add some protection ✲✲
• 3M tub tread is rugged and not too expensive.
• Add chain guide and bash guard
✲✲ Check out the forums ✲✲
• MTBR.com has a very popular message board that has tons of people discussing popular bike models and posting photos.
• You can get an idea of common issues that people are seeing in the wild and get ideas for how you can trick your bike out.
• But be warned: it’s also a very dangerous place if you get hung up on details. You can endlessly run yourself around in circles trying to research and find the best bike. One second you’re convinced and the next second you’re regretting your purchase.
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