If you ride a lot of mountain bikes, you know how annoying and time-consuming it is to have to remove your bike’s ski bindings every time you get on a chairlift. This is especially cumbersome if you have kids with you who want to ride the lift as well. After you’ve gone through the hassle of putting on your ski boots, scraping the snow off the base of the chair, and adjusting your ski pants, you’re just happy when you can finally pull off your ski bindings and take your skis off. But a problem arises after a while: The fabric on your ski pants starts looking shabby and you simply can’t wear them around the house anymore because they start smelling a bit too much like skis.
What happens then? Do you throw them out and buy some new ones? Is there a way to service your old ones so they work like new again?
Yes, there is a way, and it’s quite easy. All you need is a little bit of fabric and an old pair of ski boots. But before we get into that, a word of advice: Wear thick clothing when working on your bike. This is especially important if it’s cold out and you’re not used to working in cold temperatures.
Table of Contents
The Basics
The first thing to understand is that ski bindings are fairly easy to service. You just need to follow these steps:
- Scrub the dirt and grime off the inside of the boot with some strong soap and water. The best thing about this step is that it does the trick without the need to disassemble the whole thing and clean it under the hood of your car.
- Apply a bit of oil or spray to the leather and plastic parts of the binding and let it soak in for about 10 minutes before pulling off the ski. This will make them feel supple and work like new again.
- It’s always a good idea to degrease and clean your bike’s chain as well as the rest of the drivetrain before putting it back together.
- To avoid potential accidents due to slipping, always wear some kind of protective equipment when working on your bike (safety goggles, gloves, and a motorcycle jacket are ideal).
The Final Step
Finally, when you’re done cleaning and oiling your bike’s parts, put them back together and enjoy your new ride. Remember, however, that this is a fairly lengthy process and it requires special equipment (scissors, oil, brush, etc.). Depending on how often you need to do this, it might be cheaper and more convenient to buy a new pair of bindings.
This article will teach you how to service your ski bindings so you can get back on the mountain as soon as possible. It’ll also improve your experience on the platform and make you look like a pro.
Let’s get started.
Step one: Take off your ski boots
The first thing you need to do is take off your ski boots. Depending on the style, you can find a lot of alternatives, from lace-up boots to snowboard boots with metal bindings, so be sure to choose the right pair for the task at hand. If you’re swapping out the whole boot, make sure you take your time and remove all the hair that might be caught in the laces or the interior of the boot. If you’re using a brush, you might need to start at the toe and work your way up (otherwise, you’ll just end up sweeping the dirt and grime into a bigger pile). If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even use nail polish remover or paint as a cleaner – the choice is yours.
Once you’ve cleaned off all the mud and grime from your ski boots, it’s time to remove the bindings. Take a look at the photo below: Here you can see a pair of ski boots with metal ski bindings removed. The metal parts are worn out and look almost like they were spray-painted on for the occasion.
This is the point where you begin to realize that the work involved in taking off your ski boots is more than worth it. Just kidding. Let’s continue.
Step two: Take off your ski pants
Once you’ve taken off your ski boots, you’ll need to take off your ski pants. These are the kind with a drawstring or a belt that cinches at the waist. Once you’ve untied the knot, it’s time to remove your winter apparel. When you pull the pants down, you’ll see a lot of laces and straps along with the entire assembly of your ski suit. Be careful not to lose any of these components as you might need them later. It’s also a good idea to put back on the underpants you were wearing before hitting the slopes as they are simpler to replace if you end up needing them again.
You’ll need to take your time undoing all the straps and the drawstring, and you might want to use some sort of lubricant such as WD-40 or similar products to make the process easier. Once you’ve loosened up all the knots, it’s time to remove the rest of your ski clothes. You’ll probably need to peel off your ski jacket, followed by your ski shirt and finally your ski leggings. It’s important to keep track of everything you’re removing since you won’t want to get stuck with a pair of ski pants that don’t fit. You might also decide to swap out your ski gloves for a different pair that feels better or looks nicer.
Step three: Scrub the outside of your ski boots
Scrub the outside of your ski boots with some sandpaper or steel wool. Wipe off all the dirt that’s accumulated during the winter season (this also serves as a protective layer against the elements). When you’re finished with this step, you should have a smooth, clean surface that will make your ski boots look brand new. Just like that, your old, worn-out boots are transformed into perfectly functioning pair of ski boots that you can use all year long without any problems.
A few things to keep in mind while doing this are:
- Never wear leather gloves when sanding your boots (they’ll just end up getting scratched). You can also use needle-nose pliers to extract small objects that might be lodged in the surface of your boot.
- It’s always a good idea to test the fit of a newly-made pair of shoes or boots before wearing them. Try on the shoes at the store where you bought them and if they don’t feel right, return them for a new pair. This is an easy way to ensure they will stay in place when you step onto the mountain trail.
- To prevent any injuries to your hands or feet while sanding your boots, use a water-based gel lubricant to reduce the friction between the blade and the surface of your boot.
Step four: Brush and clean the metal parts of your bike’s gearbox
The next step is to brush and clean the metal parts of your bike’s gearbox. This includes the shift lever, the brake pedal, and the handlebar. To properly clean these items, you’ll need to remove the entire gearbox and clean it separately. The best way to do this is with some solvent and a brush (try for oil-based solvents as they are more powerful and easier to remove than water-based ones).
After you’ve cleaned and brushed all the metal parts of your bike’s gearbox, take a look at the photo below. Here you can see a cleaner’s brush with some mineral oil on it. Just like that, your bike’s gearbox is looking brand new again. It even feels better to operate after being cleaned and charged with some oil. This is also a good way to prevent rust and corrosion from taking place on these crucial metal parts of your bike.
Step five: Remove and replace the oil in your bike’s chain
The last step is to remove and replace the oil in your bike’s chain. The best way to do this is with some oil-based gear oil or transmission fluid. When you’ve finished replacing all the oil in your bike’s chain, it’s time to tighten up all the bolts and the washer-nut that secures it. Have fun!