Mountain bikes are built to ride off the road which means they’ll get dirty rather quick.

• Get a spray bottle, fill it with water (or soapy water)
• Spray the bike
• Let it sit for a minute
• Use a cloth to sweep off the dirt
• Use an old toothbrush to clean those difficult spots
• Once the frame & wheels are clean, use the cloth to clean the derailleur sprockets and the chain
• Lastly, clean the chain

*Avoid pressure washer as this can ruin the seals and allows the water get to places where it shouldn’t be. Mountain bikes are not waterproof to a degree of submerge.

*Some riders use a thin layer of universal oil on the clean frame as it will give an extra layer on the bike, and the dirt will come off easier next time.

Yes, you can ride mountain bikes on all surfaces, including tar, pavement and concrete, and it’s legal to ride a mountain bike on any road that allows bicycles.

However, mountain bikes are slower and heavier to cycle on pavement, so if you plan to ride mostly on the road, you should rather get a hybrid or road bike.

• Slower
• Good mountain bike tires are quiet expensive, and some use a softer compound which wears out way quicker than it would on the road.

To change a mountain bike tire, you’ll first need to find out if it’s a tubeless tire or not.

Tubeless tires don’t use inner tubes but have a glue sealant around the rim to make them airtight. However, if you don’t have sealant, you can fit any tubeless tire with a spare inner tube.

First, remove the wheel that needs changing and let all the air out of the tire. Then, loosen the bead along the side of the tire so it pops off the rim. If there’s an inner tube, you may need to unscrew the washer, holding the valve in place before removing the tube.

Check the inside of the tire for glass, thorns or debris that may have caused the puncture. If the damage to the tire is not too bad, you can salvage it and just replace the inner tube. Either patch the damaged inner tube with a puncture repair kit or, preferably, replace it with a new tube.

Slip one side of the tire back onto the rim and then slip the new inner tube into the tire, lining up the valve with the hole so you can insert it. Once in place, pump up the inner tube slightly but not all the way – this will fill it out, so it stays in place inside the tire.

Now, you can push the other side of the tire onto the rim with your thumbs, making sure not to pinch the inner tube. Once in place, pump up the inner tube completely and you’re ready to go.

You should replace your mountain bike tires when the strip along the center of the tire starts to go smooth. Without grip on this section, you won’t be able to brake as quickly and could be in an accident.

Uneven weight distribution means the rear tire on a mountain bike wears out faster than the front, so you’ll find it getting smooth sooner. What many riders don’t realise is that you can just swap the front and rear tires when the rear tire’s tread wears smooth and ride the same distance again before buying replacements. 

Mountain prices vary greatly, with some costing as little as $100 and others reaching $10,000 or more. However, the average cost of a decent mountain bike is about $1,000. Bikes below this level are likely to be of an inferior quality.

Modern mountain bikes usually have complex frames built from expensive materials with several components and moving parts.

Add to this the cost of brakes, gears, shocks and suspension systems, all of which need to be built from high-quality materials to withstand tough conditions.

Mountain bikes weigh anything from 20 lbs (9kg) to 40 lbs (18kg), with the average weight being around 30lbs (14,6kg).

In general, the lighter the mountain bike, the more expensive it will be because lightweight materials cost more to produce.

Mountain bikes that use hydraulic disc brakes need to be bled from time to time.

This involves leaking fluid from the braking system and pushing new fluid through it in order to remove bubbles. You do this by removing the brake pads and using a syringe filled with hydraulic mineral oil to bleed the fluid.

Most mountain bikes come assembled but sometimes, you may need to put it together yourself.

To do this, you’ll need several tools including Allen keys, wrenches, and screwdrivers of varying sizes.

Basic assembly typically involves attaching the wheels, pedals, seat post and handlebars. You can secure the handlebars to the headset with a small Allen key, ensuring the brake levers and gears are level. For the rear wheel, you’ll need to pull the chain around the cassette before slotting the wheel in. Most mountain bikes now use a thru-axle, secured by a large Allen key.

Pedals screw on and can be tightened with a wrench, while the seatpost typically slots in and secures with a quick-release bolt.

We have compiled a rough estimation, but recommend ALWAYS checking the correct manufacturers size guide. If you happen to fall in two bike sizes – check out our guidance article about that.

*This is a rough guide as each MTB Brand has their own size recommendation